Programme Policy Officer (Identity Management Advisor), International Consultant Level II At World Food Programme

WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer – Identity Management Advisor (including Data Protection and Privacy)
Grade: Level II
Type of contract: International Regular Consultancy
Unit: Programme (Cross-Cutting Team)
Duration: 11 months
Duty Station: Bangkok, Thailand or Home-based(**)
Vacancy Number: 431931
Date of Publication: Wednesday 8 February 2023
Deadline of Application: Thursday 23 February 2023

Terms and Conditions:

WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary and a medical insurance.
Remote work may be possible depending upon the operational requirements of the Programme. Requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the personal circumstances of the requestor given the operational situation.

(**) The role requires a high level of internal coordination across units (Programme, TEC, Compliance, Legal) as well as with teams in country and headquarters offices, priority will be given to candidates willing to relocate to Bangkok, Thailand and the candidates who are willing to travel, including to hardship duty stations.

For home-based candidates meeting the requirements stated in this vacancy announcement, regular travel to Regional Bureau Bangkok Office, Thailand and in the region will be expected; in the case of home-based applicants, candidates in similar time zone to Thailand will be prioritized.

JOB PURPOSE

The mission of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is to help households, communities, and national systems to achieve Zero hunger. Everyday WFP’s 17 Country Offices in the Asia and Pacific Region engage with communities, partners and governments to ensure that the most vulnerable can access the nutritious food they deserve while working to achieve sustainable national programmes to achieve food and nutrition security. People’s data is critical information that allows us to serve those most in need, from identification and registration, to the provision of assistance and graduation from it. Ensuring protection of this data is fundamental to ensuring the rights of the people we serve.

The Regional Identity Management Advisor will play a critical role advising Country Offices (COs) and Regional Bureau (RB) units on best practices and standards around identify management and data sharing, supporting countries to identify and mitigate risks including through Privacy Impact Assessments, and contributing to the refinement – and dissemination – of WFP’s corporate approach to Identity Management including the establishment of guiding principles and standardization of business processes, tools and guidance. The incumbent reports to the head of EPR (Emergency Preparedness& Response) and Cross-Cutting Issues within the Regional Bureau Bangkok (RBB) Programme Unit.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Contribute to corporate efforts to develop a people-centered data strategy that helps all relevant Programme activities interpret principles and standards related to personal data meaningfully, for the achievement of Programme objectives and in the best interests of the people we serve. Lead at regional level the dissemination of this strategy across functions, and guide Country Offices in its application.
• Lead Data Protection for the Regional Bureau. Engage with organizational efforts to identify risks and gaps in current standards, tools, templates and guidance. Contribute to the development of corporate tools, templates and guidance to ensure that they are pragmatic, operational, and adapted to operational realities, all the while accessible to field and partner staff. As Data Protection Lead and provide guidance to Country Offices in the application of appropriate tools and templates including but not limited to new Data Protection Annex for cooperating partners.
• Support Country Offices to identify data protection risks including but not limited to supporting the roll out of new tools for Privacy Impact Assessments. Where risks are identified, guide and support Country Offices to address these through the identification and implementation of appropriate mitigation measures.
• Advise Country Offices on appropriate data sharing frameworks and data protection templates for their context, including with governments. Act as liaison between Country Offices and Headquarters (Legal, etc) on Data Sharing Agreements to support appropriate and timely advancement of contracts.
• In partnership with RB programme and data assurance teams, advise COs in engaging with government-led data management processes and systems building efforts, including but not limited to social protection programmes.
• Where needed, support WFP staff and partners in upholding data protection principles and identity management standards through remote or in person oversight, support and trainings.
• Establish and coordinate a network of data protection focal points (and engage with cross-regional advisors) to share experiences, challenges, and best practices.
• Engage in RB oversight functions, including but not limited to the implementation of WFP’s assurance frameworks.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• MA or LLM Degree. Specialization in social/political sciences, human rights or international law, development studies, international relations, sociology, political science or another relevant field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience, ideally within WFP or UN agencies.
• Direct and diverse (ie more than one country context/office) experience in developing or implementing identity management standards aligned to data protection principles, including but not limited to: assessing risks and advising on personal data to be collected as part of programme response; conducting privacy impact assessments; leading the development of data sharing agreements; other.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Working knowledge of WFP’s approach to data protection, inter-agency data sharing, digitalisation and digital services to governments.
• An understanding of humanitarian assistance programme implementation in complex contexts.
• An understanding and commitment to protection of beneficiaries and respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of data subjects.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and writing skills, including the ability to write in an engaging and informative manner, and conceptualise and clearly synthesise information.
• Familiarity with legal language and constructs.

ESSENTIAL:

• Aforementioned experience, knowledge and skills are considered essential for this role.
• Candidate must be able to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds to ensure that complex legal templates and standards are understood, and be able to tailor communication approaches to different audiences.

DESIRABLE:

• The consultant would ideally have a mixed profile of legal and programme experience.
• Experience in delivering training / conducting capacity building of colleagues in the area of identity management and/or data protection/privacy.
• Familiarity with WFP approach and tools including Privacy Impact Assessments, platforms (eg SCOPE), etc.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce. WFP has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority or discrimination. 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.

All WFP Employees are expected to demonstrate the competencies and standards of behaviour aligned with our core values and defined in the WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK, namely:

• Leading by example with integrity,
• Driving results and delivering on commitments,
• Fostering inclusive and collaborative teamwork,
• Applying strategic thinking,
• Building and maintaining sustainable partnerships.