Programme Policy Officer - Programme Cycle Management & Country Strategic Planning

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 8 August 2026-23:59-GMT+03:00 Eastern European Time (Damascus) WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability. ABOUT WFP The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves. To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org  and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube , LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , TikTok . WHY JOIN WFP?   WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment. WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities. A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe. We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement). BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT: This home-based position will provide strategic support to three Country Offices: Yemen, Syria, and Sri Lanka, with a primary focus on country strategic planning and programme cycle management. The assignment will support the finalisation of Yemen’s Interim Country Strategic Plan (ICSP) 2027–2029, including preparation of the final narrative package, coordination of informal consultations and Executive Board review processes, and finalisation of all documentation required for Executive Board approval. In Syria, the incumbent will support the completion of Budget Revision 04 of the current ICSP and lead the coordination, development, and submission of the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2027–2030 for consideration by the February 2027 Executive Board session, including management of the ePRP process and preparation of the full CSP package. The role will also provide early technical support to Sri Lanka’s CSP inception and development process, including stakeholder engagement, strategic consultations, analytical inputs, and in-country mission support as required. DUTY STATION (City, Country):    RBC Syria, Damascus – Home-based DURATION:    4 months   KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (within delegated authority): Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programmes of the two COs, the general guidance of the COs’ senior management teams, and in close coordination with PQBC in Global Headquarters, the PPO programme cycle and country strategic planning will: Support the development and submission of the Syria CSP 2027-2030 & the the Budget Revision 04 of the Syria ICSP 2022-2026 (2-month extension) Syria CSP 2027–2030 Lead coordination of the development of the Syria CSP 2027–2030, ensuring strategic coherence and alignment with corporate guidance, country priorities, and the evolving operational context. Coordinate contributions from all technical units and key stakeholders to support the preparation of a high-quality, evidence-based CSP package. Manage the preparation, drafting, consolidation, and quality assurance of the CSP narrative and all associated planning and governance documents. Coordinate and facilitate the ePRP process, including document submission, review coordination, comment management, and revision tracking. Support preparation for key corporate review and submission milestones, ensuring timely delivery of all documentation required for Executive Board review and the information consultation ahead of the February 2027 session. Undertake stakeholder mapping and support engagement with government counterparts, UN partners, donors, and other strategic stakeholders throughout the CSP development process. Draft responses to review comments and coordinate revisions resulting from feedback received from Headquarters, the Regional Bureau, and corporate review mechanisms. Syria Budget Revision 02 Coordinate the finalisation of Budget Revision 04 of the Syria ICSP, ensuring timely incorporation of technical feedback from the Regional Bureau and Headquarters. Lead quality assurance and consolidation of all required documentation, including narrative, budget templates, Line of Sight, AM&E tool, and supporting annexes. Support clearance and approval processes, including preparation of briefing materials and responses to review comments. Finalise the development of the Yemen ICSP 2027-20230 Lead and coordinate the finalization of the Yemen ICSP (2027–2030) in line with WFP corporate policies, guidance, and templates. Coordinate final inputs and responses to Member State comments and support preparations for the informal consultation phase. Ensure continued facilitation of the Yemen ICSP Task Force, maintaining engagement across units and senior management to ensure strategic coherence and timely progress. Provide technical leadership in the drafting and refinement of the ICSP narrative based on Member State comments, incorporating inputs from all relevant units including Budget & Programming, RAM, Supply Chain, HR, Finance, and Activity Managers as necessary. Liaise with Global Headquarters PQBC to ensure alignment with review protocols and facilitate smooth submission through the EB review process. Draft internal briefings and other supporting documentation as needed to support management engagement throughout the finalization and approval process Inception and early development of the Sri Lanka CSP Support the establishment and activation of the Sri Lanka CSP Task Force and coordinate early CSP formulation activities, including stocktaking, stakeholder engagement, consultation planning, and development of the CSP roadmap and key milestones. Conduct a stocktaking review of relevant CSP documentation, evaluations, assessments, lessons learned, and strategic planning materials to inform the CSP formulation process. Review and analyse national priorities, policies, and frameworks relevant to food security, nutrition, social protection, resilience, climate adaptation, and broader development objectives. Undertake a context analysis by synthesizing available evidence, assessments, and data on food security, nutrition, vulnerability, and the operating environment. Support the Country Office in gathering and analysing information required for preliminary CSP calibration, including WFP's comparative advantages, operational capacities, strategic positioning, and partnership landscape. Support the planning, facilitation, and documentation of early stakeholder consultations with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors, NGOs, civil society, academia, private sector actors, and affected communities. Prepare analytical briefs, presentations, and synthesis documents to support strategic discussions, prioritisation, and the development of the CSP strategic direction. Undertake in-country mission support, as required, to facilitate consultations, workshops, and strategic planning processes. Other Support internal strategic planning and decision-making processes, including input into Implementation Plans (IPs) and COMPs as required. Contribute to WFP’s inter-agency engagement in the three countries, particularly around UNSDCF processes (e.g. Common Country Analysis revisions, programme criticality reviews, joint planning). Provide strategic support to senior management in both Country Offices, including the development of positioning papers, briefing notes, or ad hoc analysis in response to emerging issues. Undertake any other tasks or special assignments as requested by the Head of Programme or Country Directors, particularly in support of programme cycle management and strategic initiatives. Other Support internal strategic planning and decision-making processes, including input into Implementation Plans (IPs) and COMPs as required. Contribute to WFP’s inter-agency engagement in the three countries, particularly around UNSDCF processes (e.g. Common Country Analysis revisions, programme criticality reviews, joint planning). Provide strategic support to senior management in both Country Offices, including the development of positioning papers, briefing notes, or ad hoc analysis in response to emerging issues. Undertake any other tasks or special assignments as requested by the Head of Programme or Country Directors, particularly in support of programme cycle management and strategic initiatives. KEY DELIVERABLES Yemen ICSP 2027–2029 final package completed and submitted, including the final narrative, responses to Member State comments, informal consultation materials, and Executive Board documentation. Syria ICSP 2022–2026 Budget Revision 04 package finalized and approved. Syria CSP 2027–2030 package completed and submitted, including the CSP narrative. Successful coordination and completion of the Syria CSP ePRP and EB review processes, including consolidation of inputs, comment management, and revision tracking. Sri Lanka CSP inception package completed, including establishment of the CSP Task Force, CSP formulation roadmap and timeline, stocktaking review, context and policy analysis, stakeholder mapping, consultation summaries, and preliminary calibration inputs. Briefing notes, position papers, presentations, and other strategic planning products prepared as required to support programme cycle management and WFP's strategic positioning across Yemen, Syria, and Sri Lanka. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Education: Advanced University Degree and/or equivalent experience with emphasis in one or more of the following disciplines: political sciences, economics, agriculture, international affairs, social sciences, development studies or a field relevant to international development or humanitarian assistance. Experience: At least 15 years post graduate, progressively responsible international and national experience in the fields of goal oriented/strategic planning, organizational change management, inter-agency coordination, programme re-orientation, policy development etc. Specific experience in strategy formulation, cross-cutting thematic areas, programme management and project planning in a large multicultural institution in the field or headquarters is an asset. Previous experience with WFP or the UN System required. Knowledge & Skills: Ability to translate understanding of programme principles into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches; Excellent writing skills in English; Ability to explain WFP projects and operations to counterparts and to communicate with Government and partners clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; Good understanding of project lifecycle, humanitarian principles and tools, programmes and transfer modalities; General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures; General knowledge of the UN Development System Reform; Good analytical and research skills; Good interpersonal skills, teamwork spirit and ability to work in multicultural settings. Languages: Proficiency/level C of English is required. Additional UN language(s) would be an asset. WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK   WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission. Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework   REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION   WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  [email protected] NO FEE DISCLAIMER   The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.   REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel. 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All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.