ABOUT THE JOB
Job Title: Programme Policy Officer (Gender, Inclusion and PSEA)
Grade: Level 9 and equivalent within the UN Classification System
Duty Station: Multiple Locations within Pakistan
Link to Apply: ********************************************
This Vacancy Announcement is for Pakistan Nationals Only
Note: This vacancy announcement is intended to build a roster of prequalified applicants for future opportunities within the same job profile at the current or lower grade level in Pakistan
ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
WFP Pakistan is in the second year of its Country Strategic Plan 2023-2027 in which WFP is aiming to consolidate its role as a partner of choice for the Government in critical operational and policy areas. This CSP highlights WFP’s plan to continue to shift its focus from direct implementation to institutional capacity strengthening and the provision of technical assistance. The CSP outlines priority areas of support including emergency preparedness, early action and emergency response, strengthening resilience through community asset creation and livelihoods support, and policy and capacity support to strengthening Pakistan’s food systems.In areas of human capital development WFP Pakistan also implements one of the largest stunting prevention programmes in the world, for the Government of Pakistan, which provides nutritional and financial support through the first 1000 days, targeting pregnant and breastfeeding women and children less than 2 years of age. In addition, WFP is currently engaging with provincial governments to design and pilot school meals programmes as per the different contexts and needs.Within all of the programme activities and objectives, gender and inclusion are at the forefront of WFP’s objectives of reaching the most vulnerable. In the 2022 Gender Policy, WFP envisions a world with zero hunger where everyone has equal opportunities, equal access to resources and an equal voice in the decisions that shape their lives, including as individuals within households, communities and societies. The pursuit of gender equality and women’s empowerment is central to WFP’s mission of saving lives and changing lives and supporting countries in their quest to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.The policy has three objectives to address the gender inequalities that continue to exacerbate food insecurity and poor nutrition outcomes:I. Achieve equitable access to and control over food security and nutritionII. Address the root causes of gender inequalities that affect food security and nutritionIII. Advance the economic empowerment of women and girls in food security and nutrition
Given the unique operations undertaken by WFP Pakistan, including direct implementation and technical support, WFP Pakistan is seeking to establish a roster for the position of Programme Policy Officer – Gender, Inclusion and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse focal point to not only support the Country Office in meeting and documenting global commitments to gender equality, women’s empowerment and inclusion, but also to work with programme teams to design women-focused programmes that support those commitments, as well as support emergency responses.
JOB PURPOSE
In line with the WFP Gender Policy 2022 and WFP guidance on inclusion, the position will focus on ensuring compliance with corporate and global training, documentation and reporting requirements on gender equity, women’s empowerment and inclusion, the position will also be required to work with programme teams to develop a portfolio of targeted activities that promote gender equity, empowerment, inclusion and ensure that issues related to Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse are prevented and/or addressed.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):
The incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:
Reporting to the Head of Programme (HoP) and with technical support from the Regional Bureau and Headquarters, the Gender and Inclusion Officer will provide strategic and technical support for WFP’s work in Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) and Inclusion as outlined in the Country Strategic Plan (2023-2027). Based in Islamabad, the incumbent may be required to travel to WFP offices within Pakistan and to visit programme activities in the districts.
Coordination, capacity development and advocacy around gender and inclusion
Provide strategic and technical support to the CO for the implementation of the corporate gender, disability, PSEA and GBV policies and procedures, and integrate cross-cutting themes into WFP Operations
A - Lead systematic gender, PSEA, and disability analyses to support programme design and implementation.
B - Capacity development and support to WFP staff in the implementation of gender, disability, and PSEA commitments,
Lead the Country Office in the annual gender and age markers (GaM) exercise, disability and PSEA country assessments and follow-up with the Regional Bureau and the HQ for final submission and approval.
Liaise with RBB advisors, provide updates, and contribute towards various requests and products related to gender and inclusion.
Take the lead in conducting the regular PSEA assessment of cooperating partners in close coordination with the CP unit, build CPs’ capacities, develop CSIPs (Capacity Strengthening Implementation Plan) and coordinate with relevant UN agencies for joint PSEA assessments.
Support WFP Provincial Offices to lead PSEA provincial chapters and implement provincial network plans.
Represent WFP in various interagency and other relevant forums some of these include but are not limited to INGAD, GTG, PSEA Group, DI, GBV and UNSDCF Outcome 2 (Gender Equality) and take the lead in reporting results and partnering with UN agencies for joint programming;
Coordinate the Gender Results Network (GRN) and lead activities to celebrate International Women’s Day and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.
Programme Support for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
In partnership with programme teams, develop projects that focus on creating gender equality and empowering women.
Translate projects into funding proposals with support from other Programme units, the Head of Programme and Budget and Programming Team.
Support the programme teams in implementing the activities focusing on gender equity and women empowerment within larger programmes.
Lead development of programmes with gender equality and women empowerment as key outcomes, such as rural women’s livelihoods, capacity strengthening on digital and financial literacy, and social behaviour change communication on gender issues
Work with the Head of Programme and food security analysis teams to develop concepts for research and special studies focusing on vulnerable or marginalized groups, and contribute to the analysis, reporting and use of study findings for advocacy, government policy discussions and programme design.
Partnerships and advocacy for gender equality and women empowerment
Participate in UN inter-agency mechanisms for coordinated implementation and advocacy on issues related to gender, inclusion, and women empowerment.
Participate in other partnership networks on gender, inclusion, or women empowerment for joint advocacy and to enhance visibility of WFP’s work in these areas.
Participate in Government led forums and meetings on gender, inclusion and women empowerment.
Explore joint projects or advocacy events with Government and other partner agencies on areas of common concern regarding gender and inclusion.
Build capacities of partner agencies, especially implementing partners, on gender and inclusion through trainings, exposure visits or other such activities.
Technical Support and Advocacy for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Technical Support & Rollout: Support the technical implementation of WFP's PSEA framework by developing context-specific risk mitigation strategies, action plans, and tailored capacity-building modules.
Inter-Agency Coordination: Represent WFP in inter-agency PSEA networks, Protection Clusters, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Area of Work to ensure harmonized reporting and response mechanisms.
Awareness & Communication: Lead community outreach campaigns and ensure that beneficiaries are aware of their rights, the zero-tolerance policy, and safe, accessible reporting channels.
risk Assessment: Conduct field-level SEA risk assessments and integrate mitigation measures into all phases of WFP's food security and emergency programming.
Capacity Building: Facilitate PSEA training for WFP staff, cooperating partners, and contractors to ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) or equivalent in Gender, Development Studies, Economics, Political Science, Anthropology or any other relevant Social Science discipline, or first university degree (Bachelor’s degree) with 2 additional years of relevant postgraduate professional work experience.
Experience:
A minimum of three years of relevant post-graduation professional-level work experience in areas around human development, including gender equality, women’s empowerment, PSEA or inclusion.
Experience in preparing funding and research proposals with focus on gender and inclusion.
Proven experience in research methods, including study design, field work, quantitative and qualitative analysis and advocacy/communications.
Previous experience in humanitarian or development contexts (International organizations and/or UN system)
Pakistan and the UN System have enjoyed a long period of collaboration which began when the country joined the United Nations on 30th September, 1947. During the years that followed, there was a steady increase in UN-sponsored development cooperation in Pakistan, and a steady increase in the number of UN agencies represented in the country. Throughout, Pakistan has been an active member of the UN, both at the inter-government level and as a provider of personnel to the international civil service. Pakistan has also been a consistent financial contributor to the UN development system.