Deputy Head of Programme - Consultant II

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

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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.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The prevalence of stunting and wasting, respectively 47.1% and 8.6%, in Timor-Leste is significantly above the ‘’Very High’’ threshold level set by World Health Organization (WHO).

There are several national policies and strategies that support the implementation of food security and nutrition program in Timor-Leste. Most recent are the Comprehensive National Action Plan for Nutrition and Food Security, and related commitments under the Food System Summit, the Nutrition for Growth initiative, and the School Meals Coalition.

WFP has a Country Strategic Plan (CSP) designed to support Timor-Leste in achieving         food security and improved nutrition by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2. It also seeks to contribute to progress in SDG’s 3 & 4 and foster a reinforced partnership in strengthening the national humanitarian and development response, in accordance with SDG 17.

WFP’s support under this CSP will assist national efforts through Bolsa de Maie and Merenda Escolar and provide technical assistance and policy advice to help maximize the return on Government’s investment in food security and nutrition.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, overseen by the Country Director. He/she will act as a Deputy Head of Programme and work closely with Activity Managers on the Nutrition, Fortification and Social Protection / School Feeding areas of the CSP.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Programme Planning and Implementation:

• Support the Head of Programme in the development, planning, and implementation of nutrition, school feeding, social protection, and other programmes in alignment with WFP's strategic objectives and the country office's priorities.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to programme teams to ensure effective and efficient implementation of activities, including the design of intervention strategies, workplans, and budgets.
• Monitor programme progress, identify challenges, and proactively propose solutions to optimize programme delivery and achieve desired outcomes.

2. Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Foster and maintain effective partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors, NGOs, and other stakeholders to enhance collaboration and coordination in programme implementation.
• Identify and build productive relationships with supply chain colleagues and staff within the area of assignment to support an integrated approach to assistance.
• Represent WFP in relevant inter-agency, sectoral, and technical working groups, conferences, and meetings to advocate for WFP's priorities and promote synergies with partners.

3. Technical Support and Capacity Building:

• Provide technical support and capacity building to WFP staff and partners in areas related to nutrition, school feeding, social protection, and other relevant sectors.
• Facilitate training sessions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events to enhance the skills and expertise of programme staff and stakeholders.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (cont..)

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:
- Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of programme activities, ensuring adherence to established indicators, targets, and reporting requirements.
- Analyze programme data and performance indicators to assess progress, identify areas for improvement, and inform evidence-based decision-making.
- Prepare timely and accurate reports on programme achievements, challenges, and lessons learned for internal and external dissemination.
5. Resource Mobilization and Proposal Development:
- Contribute to resource mobilization efforts by providing technical inputs, evidence, and strategic guidance for the development of funding proposals, concept notes, and donor reports.
- Collaborate with the Resource Management and Partnerships teams to identify funding opportunities, engage with donors, and strengthen donor relationships.6. Risk Management and Compliance:
- Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in programme implementation and develop risk mitigation strategies to ensure the safety, security, and effectiveness of operations.
- Ensure compliance with WFP policies, procedures, and donor requirements, including adherence to budgetary constraints, procurement rules, and reporting deadlines.
7. Innovation and Knowledge Management:
- Promote innovation and best practices in programme design, implementation, and delivery, incorporating lessons learned and emerging trends in the field.
- Contribute to the documentation and dissemination of success stories, case studies, and research findings to enhance organizational learning and knowledge management.
8. Emergency Response & Other Duties:
- Act in an assigned emergency response capacity as required to meet emergency food assistance needs.
- Follow emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP and government are able to quickly respond and deploy food and needed resources to affected areas at the onset of the crisis.
- Undertake any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Head of Programme or Country Director, consistent with the overall objectives and priorities of WFP Timor-Leste.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in nutrition, public health, social sciences, international development, or a related field relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Languages: Fluency (level C) in English language. Knowledge of Portuguese and Tetum would be an advantage. 

EXPERIENCES

• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, preferably in the fields of nutrition, school feeding, social protection, or related areas.

• Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring complex programmes, including a proven track record of achieving results and impact in challenging environments.
• Experience working with UN agencies, NGOs, government counterparts, and other stakeholders in collaborative and multisectoral settings.
• Strong technical expertise in areas such as nutrition-sensitive programming, social protection systems, food security, and emergency response would be advantageous.
• Experience in capacity building, training, and knowledge transfer activities to strengthen the skills and competencies of programme staff and partners.
• Proven ability to analyze data, prepare reports, and communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including donors, policymakers, and community stakeholders.
• Familiarity with humanitarian principles, gender equality, human rights-based approaches, and sustainable development goals (SDGs) would be desirable.
• Experience working in Timor-Leste or similar contexts with a sound understanding of the socio-economic, political, and cultural dynamics of the country or region is preferred.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Job Title: Deputy Head of Programme

Grade: II

Type of contract: International Regular Consultant

Functional Unit: Programme

Duration of contract: 11 months

Duty Station: Dili, Timor-Leste

No. of position required: 1

Date of VA opening: 29 March 2024

Deadline for application: 3 April 2024

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Wednesday 3 April 2024, mid night of Timor - Leste time

This vacancy is not applicable for Timorese Nationality

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.