Programme Policy Officer - Capacity Strengthening (Food Systems), SC9

WFP - World Food Programme

Kigali, Rwanda

PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Ahead of the launch of the new WFP Rwanda Country Strategic Plan 2025 – 2029, WFP Rwanda is seeking an SC9 to support the increasing need for coordination of capacity strengthening activities with government to ensure that WFP delivers well-planned, integrated support to the Government.

The position is based in Kigali. The incumbent will be reporting to the Head of Food Systems.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Food Systems, the incumbent will:

Liaise with partners, especially with Government counterparts in MINAGRI, MIGEPROF, MINICOM, RAB, RCA and the Ministry of Environment, to ensure effective collaboration, monitoring of activities and highlight potential risks to programme delivery.
Contribute to the development of projects, plans and processes for capacity strengthening of various actors (especially public sector actors) within the food system, aligned to corporate policies and guidance. This includes providing inputs into plans, training materials and follow up actions.
Provide project management to defined food systems project activities, especially those focused on supporting national policies and programmes. This includes activities related to the National School Feeding Programme, national food reserves, food safety and quality and aligning with the Ministry of Agriculture’s extension system.
Contribute to the development of monitoring tools with the M&E team and in the facilitation of key programmes surveys/data collection activities geared towards supporting national systems and capacity strengthening, as well as studies and assessments on food systems that could be useful to WFP, the Government of Rwanda, and partners.
Support the identification and management of partnerships in capacity strengthening and technical assistance, as aligned to Government objectives.
Serve as a point of referral and provide guidance to other staff as required, including for proposal development, project design and reporting.
Support strategic initiatives such as the integration of nutrition and climate-resilience in the food systems portfolio, as aligned to Government objectives.
Other duties as required. Including support to learning, partnerships, and internal processes.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced University degree in economics, international relations, international development, or other degrees related to rural development, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses

Experience:

At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in a role involving capacity strengthening, food systems and/or rural development.

Knowledge & Skills:

Has leadership skills and deep technical knowledge needed for the successful delivery of capacity strengthening activities.
Knowledge of current thinking and developments in the field of food systems, smallholder livelihoods support and rural development.
Has provided experience into national policy discussions related to food systems.
Has worked cross-functionally and can navigate uncertainty with curiosity, poise, and a solution-oriented mentality.
Excellent communication/presentation skills, with the ability to write strategy documents, to develop business plans and to write and deliver presentations.
Able to interact with a broad range of stakeholders and external audience with maturity and tact.
Collaborative spirit, able to partner with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures and to act with credibility and diplomacy.
Self-motivated and able to work with a high degree of autonomy, proactively seeking support and guidance when needed.
Sets a high-level of ownership over projects to achieve impact for WFP constituents.
Fully committed and motivated to achieve the aims of the UN World Food Programme