Programme Policy Officer

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

25 October :59-GMT+01:00 West Africa Standard Time (Lagos)

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ABOUT WFP

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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).

In 2025, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) supported anticipatory action (AA) for the first time in Nigeria. CERF funding was allocated to WFP, UNICEF, IOM, FAO, and WHO for coordinated multi-sectoral interventions under the leadership of OCHA, targeting seven Local Government Areas (LGAs): Yola North, Yola South, Girei, Fufore, Demsa, Numan, and Lamurde.
NHF funding was provided to the Nigerian Red Cross and other national NGOs to implement complementary activities in the same LGAs.

On 8 September 2025, the pre-agreed trigger—water discharge threshold along the Benue River—was reached, prompting activation of the CERF AA framework. Each UN agency was expected to commence implementation of its designated activities.

WFP successfully disbursed multipurpose cash (MPC) to flood-vulnerable households within 72 hours of activation. In addition, WFP was designated to lead an inter-agency After Action Review (AAR) of all AA activities implemented by CERF and NHF-funded partners. This AAR is scheduled for October- November 2025 and aims to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of the AA framework's activation and implementation.

To ensure objectivity and independence, the AAR should be led by a consultant who was not involved in any aspect of the CERF or NHF-funded interventions. This being a short assignment, It also requires a Nigerian national with extensive experience in monitoring, evaluation and conducting assessments in the northeast of Nigeria. Dr. Onkala is highly recommended having had previous successful assignments with WFP, OCHA, IOM, UNDP, INGOs, National NGOs and Academic institutions.

An independent and comprehensive AAR will offer a critical learning opportunity for WFP, UN agencies, NGOs, and government stakeholders. It will help document lessons learned and generate actionable recommendations to inform future anticipatory action initiatives in Nigeria. This activity also positions WFP as an anticipatory lead in Nigeria which may attract more funding for future interventions.

Background
Nigeria has a long-standing history of riverine flooding, particularly in regions along the Niger and Benue Rivers. Flood events are typically triggered by seasonal rainfall and the release of water from upstream dams, such as Cameroon's Lagdo Dam.
These floods recurrently affect large parts of the country, with states such as Anambra, Benue, Delta, Kaduna, Kwara, Niger, Kogi, and Adamawa among the most impacted. The consequences are often far-reaching: lives are lost, homes and infrastructure are damaged or destroyed, livelihoods disrupted, water sources contaminated, and disease outbreaks become more frequent. Affected communities often suffer these effects long after the initial onset of flooding, resulting in reduced coping capacities and a slow recovery.
Given Nigeria's historical exposure to flooding – and against a context of significantly reduced funding for humanitarian action – there is a growing recognition of the need to shift from reactive assistance provision toward more proactive and sustainable approaches. This includes investing in anticipatory action, resilient infrastructure and systems that strengthen community preparedness and reduce potential disaster impacts before they occur.
Aligned to this shift in approach, in February 2025, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator pre-committed a total of $7 million – comprising $5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and $2 million from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) – to support a government-led multi-agency anticipatory action initiative. Building on this commitment, the Nigerian government and humanitarian partners collaborated to develop an anticipatory action framework targeting seven flood-prone Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Adamawa State.1 The framework was finalized and endorsed by all relevant stakeholders in August 2025.
On 08 September, pre-agreed trigger for the flood framework were formally reached, prompting the release of funds from CERF and NHF for participating partners to implement pre-agreed anticipatory activities to support up to 350,000 people before the predicted flood disaster unfolded in their communities.
Following the activation and implementation of the anticipatory action framework, as outlined in this TOR document, WFP has committed to facilitate an AfterAction Review (AAR) with all stakeholders.

2. Objectives
The main objective of this AAR is to assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coordination; impact of the framework's activation and implementation across the sectoral interventions and its sustainability. The focus will be on: (i) What was planned? (ii) What happened or was achieved? and (iii) What are the lessons learned?

The AAR will specifically:

•Determine the appropriateness of the trigger level for the AA intervention

•Evaluate the timeliness and appropriateness of anticipatory actions taken.

•Evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation process (including the targeting of beneficiaries – who were targeted vs missed and why?) in delivering the expected outputs.

•Assess coordination mechanisms among stakeholders.

•Assess the evidence of reduced loss of life, assets, or displacement compared to previous floods, and examine how outcomes varied across demographic groups. Identify operational strengths and challenges.

•Identify which framework elements can be institutionalized and determine preconditions for scaling to other states.

•Capture lessons learned and best practices.

•Recommend improvements for future anticipatory action frameworks.

3. Scope
The review will cover:
a)Geographic: Seven activated LGAs in Adamawa State (Yola North, Yola South, Girei, Fufore, Demsa, Numan, Lamurde)
b)Temporal: August 2025 (framework endorsement) through November 2025 (post-implementation)
c)Thematic Coverage:

•Framework development and trigger monitoring mechanisms

•Activation decision-making and fund release processes

•Multi-sectoral implementation (MPCA, WASH, Health, Shelter, Protection, CCCM, Agriculture)

•Targeting, early warning systems, beneficiary registration, and community feedback systems

•Stakeholder coordination and information management

•Monitoring, reporting, and accountability mechanisms

•Accountability to Affected People (AAP)

4. Methodology
Approach: Mixed-methods contribution analysis employing participatory learning principles and systems thinking, adhering to international evaluation standards (OECD-DAC and UNEG).

•Document Review: AA Framework, project proposals, trigger reports, PDM data.

•Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): With strategic stakeholders (OCHA, ERC Office, NiHSA, NiMet, NEMA, NHF, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, OVP) operational partners (WFP, UNICEF, WHO, IOM, FAO, NHF implementing partners) state government officials (3R Commissioner, ADSEMA, LEMCs, LGA chairmen), and community representatives.

•Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): stratified by gender/age/disability and by high/low impact areas (rural/urban) with community leaders, LGA administrators and affected populations in activated LGAs.

•Comparative Analysis: 2024 flood response data; activated versus non-activated areas where applicable

Most Significant Change Stories: Participatory documentation of critical outcomes

•Peer Review Workshop: To validate findings and co-create recommendations and an action plan

5. Deliverables

•Work plan.

•Data capturing template

•AAR workshop for all key stakeholders

•AAR Report with key findings, challenges, lessons learnt and recommendations.

6. Timeline

•Duration: 4 weeks post-framework activation

Key milestones:

•Week 1: Introduction to the AA Coordination Group and stakeholders

•Week 1 -2: KII, FGDs and stakeholder/community interviews/discussions

•Week 2: Data analysis and preliminary findings

•Week 3: Workshop

•Week 3: Final report submission

7. Roles and Responsibilities

•Lead Agency: WFP and OCHA – coordination and oversight

•Support Agencies: NHF partners, Other UN agencies, government stakeholders

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: 

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

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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.

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