WFP is working in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the poorest region in the country. The regional poverty incidence is almost double the national average and ranks the lowest in terms of human development and living standards. Cultural norms add further constraints, particularly on women’s socio-political and livelihood opportunities, with low uptake of and restricted access to essential social services.
After nearly five decades of conflict, the peace agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine government was signed in 2017. Subsequently, the BARMM was established through ratifying the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2019. This development is widely viewed as a crucial step toward achieving lasting peace and fostering economic growth in the region.
Although agriculture and fisheries are the primary sources of livelihood in BARMM, the poorest population in the region continues to face challenges in accessing employment, income-generating opportunities, and food security. Productivity remains low, and a lack of infrastructure and access to technology results in pre- and post-harvest losses and inefficiency, leading to low profitability among farmers.
Smallholder farmers and fisherfolk in the BARRM lack resources, information, and training to increase their yield and undertake value-adding activities to improve their livelihoods. Additionally, they encounter barriers to integrating into the agricultural value chain and transforming their products into high-value offerings that are resilient to the adverse impact of climate change. Improved climate-smart agricultural practices while strengthening the inclusion of smallholder farmers and fisherfolk in gender-sensitive value chains is a crucial missing link to sustainably solving the prevalent poverty index and quelling the low nutritional indicators that have plagued the BARMM region for decades.
WFP supports the BARMM government in addressing immediate humanitarian needs and consolidating peace and development. Building on its conflict analysis and adopting a humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach, WFP, jointly with the BARMM government, engages former and soon-to-be-decommissioned combatants and their families, smallholder farmers, Indigenous Peoples, and food-insecure people in integrated resilience programming aimed at improving their food security and agricultural livelihoods. Food Assistance for Assets (FFA), Smallholder Agricultural Market Support (SAMS), Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC), and Home Grown School Feeding activities are delivered as one package targeting the same communities and, where possible, the same beneficiaries to amplify the impact of WFP’s efforts. The goal is to foster sustainable food systems while improving social cohesion in conflict-affected communities. In addition, WFP continues capacity building of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education in scaling up home-grown school feeding programs to enhance nutrition among schoolchildren while strengthening smallholder farmers' and fisherfolks’ capacities for their integration into the local food value chain.
In addition, WFP has established and institutionalized coordination mechanisms with the BARMM government to ensure that policies and programs on achieving food security are coordinated, responsive, and effective. Through the Bangsamoro Food Security Task Force (BFSTF), WFP supported the BARMM government by developing the Bangsamoro Food Security and Nutrition Roadmap and Plan, which serves as the blueprint for food security and nutrition interventions in the region.
Under its integrated resilience portfolio, WFP will prioritize its interventions in twenty (20) municipalities in the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur, with the possible expansion to other provinces in island barangays to achieve self-sufficiency and food security.
To further support the Government of BARMM with the implementation and scale-up of resilience programmes, WFP is seeking a Programme Policy Officer with proven experience in project and people management and specialized skills in resilience programming.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Programme Policy Officer (Integrated Resilience) will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Cotabato Field Office and with overall technical guidance from the Head of the Programme. The incumbent will manage the integrated resilience portfolio in coordination with partners and with technical inputs from sectoral experts in conflict sensitivity, nutrition, gender and protection, M&E, etc. The key activities during the assignment are as follows:
Supervise technical teams (FFA, SAMS, HGSF, SBCC) and provide policy, strategic, and technical guidance for implementing integrated resilience programming in BARMM.
Work closely with the BFSTF and the inter-ministerial convergence technical working group to plan and implement integrated resilience activities.
Identify and foster multi-sectorial partnerships with government entities, UN agencies, NGOs, academia, and research institutions.
Oversee the preparation and dissemination of analytical and critical reports, publications, and various information products or briefs for internal and/or external use.
Assist in developing and implementing training programmes that improve the ability of WFP staff and partners to plan and execute effective integrated resilience programs according to corporate guidelines, like the Resilience Toolkit.
Prepare an implementation plan for integrated resilience activities in Cotabato SO and ensure the assigned financial resources are used to achieve set objectives.
Ensure integrated resilience activities are implemented considering conflict sensitivity, protection, gender, disability inclusion, and accountability to the affected population (AAP).
Ensure that inclusive Community-Based Participatory Planning exercises are implemented, quality reports are produced, and recommendations are incorporated in all work areas.
Lead, motivate, and develop a staff team to enable high performance.
Coordinate with the various departments or units in the CO and SO to ensure full compliance with WFP’s policy, procedures, and standards.
Participate in internal and external meetings and relevant trainings or workshops.
Work flexibly and take on additional tasks as may be needed to meet project and program objectives.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: Advanced University degree in a relevant field such as Social Sciences, Economics, Business Management Agriculture, Development Studies or other related fields.
EXPERIENCE: At least three (3) years of experience and a proven track record of implementing and managing food security and nutrition, value chain, and resilience-building activities in the context of climate change, disasters, and other shocks. Previous experience working on these issues in the Philippines or any other country as part of WFP will be an asset.
LANGUAGE: Excellent written and oral communications skills in English
