Programme Policy Officer – National School Feeding

The National School Feeding Policy Officer will play a key role in supporting government capacity development, coordinating key policy reviews, and leading the strategic planning for the NSMP expansion. This role will be primarily based at the Ministry of Education (MoE), working closely with national stakeholders to ensure alignment with both national priorities and international best practices.

1.Support in Defining the Road Map for National School Feeding Expansion:

• Collaborate with the Government and the Brazil Centre of excellence to develop a comprehensive road map for the scale-up of the Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) program across Malawi, identifying potential geographic zones, schools, and partners for the program’s expansion.
• Assist in mapping existing capacities and identifying areas for growth, ensuring alignment with the National School Feeding Master Plan.
• Facilitate consultations with stakeholders at the national and district levels to build consensus and gather input for the road map.

2.Review of School Health and Nutrition Policies, Strategies, and Guidelines:

• Lead a policy review process for the School Health and Nutrition (SHN) framework, including revising strategies and guidelines to integrate new evidence, emerging best practices, and global standards.
• Engage with stakeholders, including UN agencies, NGOs, and government bodies, to ensure the SHN policies reflect the interconnected priorities of health, nutrition, and education.
• Assist in aligning the SHN policy review with the goals of national development plans and international frameworks such as SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).
• Leverage insights and lessons learned from other countries’ experiences.

3.Review of School Meals Program Operational Standards:

• Work with relevant ministries, including the Department of School Health Nutrition, HIV, and AIDS (DSHNHA), to conduct a comprehensive review of the operational standards for the School Meals Program.
• Provide recommendations for improving efficiency, ensuring that the program adheres to quality assurance standards and addresses logistical challenges such as food storage, delivery, and school-level food handling.

4.Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build the capacity of government officials, school-level managers, and local partners to implement the updated operational standards and policies.
• Facilitate coordination between Ministry of Education focal points, district offices, and other line ministries to ensure seamless collaboration and policy implementation.
• Assist in establishing Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) mechanisms to track progress on school meal delivery, nutrition outcomes, and program expansion.

5.SABER School Feeding Assessment:

• Lead the Systems Approach for Better Education Results (SABER) School Feeding assessment process in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education and other relevant national agencies.
• Use the SABER framework to evaluate the performance of the national school feeding program in key areas such as policy frameworks, financial capacity, institutional capacity, and community engagement.
• Identify gaps and opportunities in the current school feeding policies and provide recommendations to strengthen the program based on SABER assessment findings.
• Ensure the SABER findings inform the roadmap for school feeding expansion and guide further policy revisions and implementation strategies.

6.Development of Advocacy and Fundraising Strategies:

• Work with WFP and Government partners to develop targeted advocacy materials for securing sustainable funding for the NSMP.
• Assist in the design of communication and marketing strategies that highlight the impact of school feeding programs, focusing on the link between nutrition and educational performance.
• Facilitate community engagement initiatives that encourage local contributions to the school meals program, including in-kind donations and volunteer support.
• Develop strategies that empower local communities to actively participate in school gardens and food production efforts, ensuring the sustainability and ownership of the program.

7.Preparation of Policy Briefs and Reports:

• Prepare periodic policy briefs, reports, and presentations to inform government stakeholders, development partners, and donors of the progress and needs of the National School Feeding expansion.
• Provide analytical reports on lessons learned from ongoing programs, including the Value for Money Study results and findings from other studies.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced University degree in Social Sciences, Public Policy, Nutrition, Education, or a related field.
• 3 years post graduate professional experience in program management, policy review, and capacity-building, preferably in school feeding, education, or nutrition sectors.
• Experience working with government systems and policy development processes.
• Strong knowledge of School Meals Programs and nutrition-sensitive programming.
• Demonstrated experience in multi-stakeholder engagement, including working with government, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors.
• Proven ability in program planning, M&E, and capacity building.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce policy briefs and facilitate high-level meetings.
• Technical competencies in areas such as food systems, agricultural supply chains, and food loss management are a strong advantage.

Key Deliverables:

• A detailed road map for the National School Feeding expansion, aligned with national and international goals.
• Updated operational standards for the School Meals Program.
• Revised School Health and Nutrition policy and guidelines.
• Regular progress reports and analytical policy briefs highlighting progress, challenges, and strategic recommendations for program improvement.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

8 October 2024-23:59-GMT+02:00 Central Africa Time (Blantyre)