Programme Policy Officer (IFI Safeguards Compliance) CST - II, Port Sudan

Programme Policy Officer (IFI Safeguards Compliance) CST - II, Port Sudan | WFP - World Food Programme

Programme Policy Officer (IFI Safeguards Compliance) CST - II, Port Sudan

WFP - World Food Programme Port Sudan National Speaks Arabic, English

Application deadline: March 23, 2026

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Summary by Impactpool

The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking a Programme Policy Officer for IFI Safeguards Compliance in Port Sudan. This role involves providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for social and environmental safeguards across IFI-funded projects. The officer will develop and implement safeguard instruments, conduct risk assessments, and ensure compliance with environmental and social requirements. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders and aims to strengthen the capacity of the team in managing safeguards effectively.

Candidate Requirements:

Advanced university degree in Social Studies, Political Science, or related field

At least five years of experience in environmental and social risk management

In-depth knowledge of World Bank and African Development Bank safeguard frameworks

Proven ability to draft and operationalize safeguards instruments

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Experience supervising staff and working in cross-functional teams

Ability to manage sensitive incidents professionally

Fluency in English and preferably Arabic

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

23 March 2026-23:59-GMT+02:00 Central Africa Time (Khartoum) 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, , 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:  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).

CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION:

Position Title: Programme Policy Officer (IFI - Safeguards Compliance) Contract Type: Consultant, Level II Division: Programme Duty Station: Port Sudan, Sudan Duration: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Sudan Country Office (CO) is undergoing an important phase of operational development, marked by the integration of multiple thematic areas and the significant expansion of increasingly complex initiatives funded by International Financial Institutions (IFIs). Theses IFI supported agreements (such as those with the World Bank and the African Development Bank) all involve significant commitments to environmental and social safeguards, which necessitates strengthened environmental and social safeguard capacities within the CO. Meeting IFI safeguard standards requires intensive and sustained effort across several domains, including the development of safeguard instruments, planning, field assessments, capacity strengthening, and strict reporting and escalation protocols (including e and ) framed by binding contractual requirements. It also involves cross-functional application (such as integration into contractor tenders, working with security). Each separate IFI-funded project requires environmental and social risk assessments and mitigation measures, as well as a detailed set of environmental and social safeguards 'instruments' setting out approaches to the management of risk, such as Environmental and Social Commitment Plans (ESCP), Labour Management Procedures (LMP), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and Management Plans (ESIA / ESMP), Stakeholder Engagement Plans etc. IFI safeguards are implemented through a projectized approach, meaning that separate safeguard systems, activities, and compliance mechanisms are established for specific IFI funded projects. Under IFI Frameworks, "social standards" functions as an umbrella term that encompasses much of WFP's crosscutting portfolio (including protection, accountability (including feedback/grievance redressal systems), gender, conflict sensitivity, stakeholder engagement) and extends into elements of human resources compliance. Conversely the environmental safeguards function is much less established within WFP, but highly relevant to WFP Sudan's growing portfolio supporting agricultural production. Given the scale, complexity, and legal obligations associated with IFI safeguards, and the significant reputational and financial risks associated with non-compliance, the Sudan CO requires dedicated capacity to ensure coherence, quality, and accountability across all social and environmental safeguard functions. Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Programme Quality (Safety and Accountability) unit, the IFI - Standards and Assurance Advisor will provide strategic and operational leadership for all safeguard components of IFI funded projects in Sudan. The role ensures that the CO meets the environmental and social requirements embedded in IFI legal agreements, leads the development and implementation of safeguards instruments, ensures high quality reporting and compliance, and provides direct supervision and technical guidance to members of the IFI team, including the Environmental Safeguards Officer.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide strategic leadership and coordination for social and environmental safeguards across IFI-funded projects, as well as others as needed, ensuring alignment with IFI commitments and technical guidance as well as WFP policies and due diligence requirements. Develop, update, and support the effective operationalisation of project-specific safeguards instruments (e.g., Environmental and Social Commitment Plan, Labour Management Plan, Stakeholder Engagement Plan, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment) as well as oversee and quality assure any sub-project instruments (in particular Environmental and Social Management Plans for sub-projects), and flowdown requirements. Conduct and oversee safeguards research, risk assessments, including social risk screenings, and impact assessments, and maintain risk registers, mitigation plans, and incident logs. Support oversight of safeguards implementation in sub offices, including partner compliance, contractor performance, and adherence to safeguards obligations (including systematic community engagement, course correction), with systematic documentation, including on good practice and follow up. Ensure safeguards flowdown to partners and through procurement processes, integrating safeguards considerations satisfy legal requirements of donors / WFP HQ in tendering and cooperating partner calls for proposals / FLAs and on-boarding. Conduct field monitoring to assure safeguards compliance. Convene / manage relevant environmental and social safeguards processes such as the security community of practice, or engagement with FSPs / CPs to guide and support environmental and social safeguards risk identification and safeguard implementation. Lead safeguards reporting and compliance assurance, acting as key point person to IFIs on environmental and social safeguards. Ensure accident and incident reporting and follow up, timely closure of non-compliance issues, audit findings, and mission recommendations. Strengthen capacity through targeted training, tools, coordination mechanisms, and continuous technical support on safeguards and risk management. Supervise and provide technical oversight to any team member that you manage, including the Environmental Safeguards Officer, ensuring integrated social environmental safeguards implementation, quality assurance, and coordinated reporting. Through project managers, and as needed, support stakeholder engagement to ensure compliance, approvals, and incident escalation and organisational learning. Support mainstreaming of WFP's people -centred standards and safeguards across WFP systems, processes and delivery, regardless of activity or funding source. Perform any other duties as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

Up to date and approved safeguard instruments. Reports submitted on time and to required standards. Functioning risk and incident reporting system. Effective training packages delivered and documented. Effective supervision and performance management of team Evidence based closure of audit, supervision mission and compliance actions.

**QUALIFICATIONS &

EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED:**

Education: An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in one of the following areas: Social Studies, Political Science, International Studies, Human Rights, or related field. Experience: Atleast five years of progressively responsible experience in environmental and social risk identification and management. Experience working with the World Bank and/or African Development Bank projects is an asset. Knowledge & Skills: In depth knowledge of social and environmental safeguard frameworks of World Bank and African Development Bank, and knowledge of WFP framework, compliance requirements, reporting protocols, and related protection principles. Proven ability to draft, operationalise, and monitor safeguards instruments (e.g., ESCP, LMP, SEP, ESIA/ESMP). Proven ability to engage with partner agencies to identify and manage risks and ensure flowdown requirements. Strong analytical, research, and problem solving skills, with extensive experience conducting qualitative field research (KIIs, FGDs), synthesising data, communicating findings to ensure timely utilisation of findings and applying insights to manage complex safeguards risks. Excellent communication, drafting, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with IFIs, government, partners, communities, and internal teams. Experience supervising staff and working across cross functional teams within and beyond an organisation. Ability to manage sensitive incidents with professionalism, including SEA/SH and protection cases; demonstrated integrity, adaptability, and effectiveness in high pressure, rapidly changing humanitarian and conflict environments. Languages: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and preferably Arabic as well.

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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

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