The Programme and Policy Officer (Resilience, Ecosystems, and Community Infrastructure) will play a critical role in strengthening the design and implementation of resilience-building interventions across Eastern and Southern Africa. Working with the World Food Programme (WFP), the incumbent will support the creation of pathways to stability and sustainable food systems in regions affected by climate shocks and environmental degradation. The role focuses on food for assets (FFA) activities, watershed management, water harvesting, and rangeland regeneration to reduce humanitarian dependence.
Responsibilities
Technical Support and Design
- Support field officers and partners in designing ecosystem restoration and community infrastructure projects at the watershed level.
- Apply regenerative design principles to restore hydrological cycles, soil health, and fertility.
- Provide hands-on technical guidance on Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) practices, including half-moons, contour bunds, terraces, zai/tassa pits, check-dams, and gabions.
- Align activities with socio-environmental assessments and nature-based solutions.
Capacity Strengthening and Field Presence
- Conduct technical bootcamps and field trainings on watershed restoration and community infrastructure.
- Provide on-the-job coaching to Cooperating Partners (CPs), field monitors, and community groups.
- Develop practical training materials and field guidance manuals linked to FFA and resilience objectives.
- Facilitate community-based participatory planning methodologies.
Operational Backstopping and Integration
- Provide technical support to Field Offices on targeting, sequencing, and monitoring resilience activities.
- Integrate natural resource management and ecological regeneration within school feeding, nutrition, social protection, and climate services.
- Review partner proposals and workplans to ensure technical coherence.
- Coordinate annual FFA planning and reporting exercises across Country Offices (COs).
Monitoring and Evidence Generation
- Conduct regular field monitoring missions to assess project progress and quality.
- Assist in collecting biophysical, GPS/GIS, and geospatial monitoring data.
- Document lessons learned, cost-efficiency insights, and case studies to demonstrate contributions to reducing food insecurity.
Partnerships and Coordination
- Strengthen coordination between engineering, nutrition, and vulnerability assessment units.
- Engage with local authorities and line ministries to align projects with national watershed management plans.
- Support the use of the Asset Impact Monitoring from Space (AIMS) tool for remote sensing analysis.
- Mainstream Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) throughout the project cycle.
Requirements
Experience
- Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in programme implementation related to food security, resilience, disaster risk reduction, or natural resource management.
- Proven field experience implementing SWC structures, water harvesting, or community infrastructure using participatory approaches.
- Experience operationalizing programmatic policies in fragile, dryland, or drought-prone contexts.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Civil/Environmental Engineering, or related fields; OR a First University Degree with additional years of related work experience/training.
Skills and Knowledge
- Strong technical understanding of resilience-building approaches and land rehabilitation.
- Proficiency in writing, oral communication, and facilitation.
- Familiarity with FFA planning and reporting processes.
Languages
- Proficiency in English (Level C) is required.
- Knowledge of French (Level B or C) is an added advantage.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the official World Food Programme recruitment portal via the link provided below. Ensure your profile is complete and all relevant documentation is attached.
Apply for Programme and Policy Officer - WFP
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