Programme Policy Officer - Head of Field Office (Bokhtar)

The Head of Field Office is responsible for planning and managing field operations to ensure effective and efficient deployment of food assistance programmes and use of allocated resources. Based in Bokhtar, the role oversees WFP Tajikistan’s largest Field Office covering multiple districts and various food assistance activities including school meals, nutrition, social behaviour change, emergency assistance, and resilience building.

Responsibilities

• Effectively manage the Field Office to ensure the continued development of a cohesive and high performing team.
• Plan and manage WFP field operations within the area of assignment to ensure effective and efficient delivery of food assistance and that daily operational issues are timely resolved to prevent losses or delays.
• Ensure that allocated resources are used efficiently and are in line with agreed plans, and any deviations are expeditiously reported to the Country Office.
• Hold accountability for the security of WFP staff, operations, premises and assets in the Field Office to ensure that WFP security and safety standards are locally set and followed. Actively participate and contribute to the Area Security Management Team (ASMT).
• Oversee the timely monitoring and evaluation of activities and prepare accurate and comprehensive reports on WFP’s operations and performance with regular and timely submission for Country Office review to inform efficient operational planning and decisions.
• Build effective and collaborative relations with the local authorities and contribute to the sharing of expertise and capacity building for effective preparedness and response to food assistance needs.
• Build partnerships to improve assistance packages, develop and sustain liaison with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, civil societies, beneficiaries and other partners and media engaged in the field of food security.
• Ensure extensive and frequent presence at project sites.
• Other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Advanced University degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or other related field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience.
• Fluency in English, as well as Tajik and/or Russian. Fluency in both Tajik and Russian is an advantage.
• At least three (3) years of postgraduate relevant professional experience and has field working experience.
• Experience in developing or supporting the development of food security related programmes is desirable.
• Gained experience of analysing local political situations and assessing risk accurately.
• Gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, nutrition, food security, cash-based programming etc.).
• Has gained experience managing small to mid-size financial budgets, balancing priorities effectively.
• Has experience leading a small to mid-size team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
• Participated in a vendor/government/ partner negotiation within area of focus.
• Participated in a (small) emergency operation/ development programme.
• Has experience with security co-ordination and facilities management within a smaller area.

Skills

• Program Development
• Food Security Programming
• Local Political Analysis
• Risk Assessment
• Policy Analysis
• Nutrition Programming
• Cash-based programming
• Budget Management
• Team Leadership
• Vendor Negotiation
• Government Negotiation
• Partner Negotiation
• Emergency Operations
• Development Programs
• Security Coordination
• Facilities Management
• Field Operations Support

Languages

English, Tajik, Russian