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Regional Emergencies Officer, Asia Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok

  • Organization: WFP - World Food Programme
  • Location: Bangkok
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Emergency Aid and Response
  • Closing Date: Closed

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

JOB TITLE:

Regional Emergencies Officer, Asia Pacific

TYPE OF CONTRACT:

Consultant

UNIT/DIVISION:

RBB/EPR

DUTY STATION (City, Country):

Bangkok, Thailand

DURATION:

6 months, extendable

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.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

As the Asia-Pacific region continues its dynamic transformation, WFP is assessing its relevance and positioning its role in the region. This is imperative not only due to the transition of many countries to Lower Middle/Middle Income status, but because of the recurring and increasing ferocity of natural disasters. The Asia-Pacific is the most disaster affected region in the world, especially susceptible to sudden-onset disasters that can outstrip short-term national response capacities and create unique challenges for timely delivery of international humanitarian assistance.

To meet these challenges, the WFP Regional Bureau for Asia-Pacific (RBB) Emergencies Unit has been tasked with managing strategic oversight and implementation of a four-year regional Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Programme, with the objective of improving the timeliness, efficacy and efficiency of national and regional humanitarian response. This Regional EPR Programme applies WFP’s humanitarian expertise and global mandate to a programme of response planning, gap identification, project design, sustainability planning and technical assistance to the implementation of emergency preparedness initiatives at national and regional levels throughout Asia-Pacific.

WFP RBB provides strategic guidance and technical support to WFP country operations in the region and in line with the strategic shift to national capacity building to achieve zero hunger, provides technical assistance to staff and managers in the region to test and apply innovative programmatic approaches. The regional approach also supports WFP’s 2017-2021 Strategic Plan Goals 1 (Supporting Countries to Achieve Zero Hunger) and 2 (Partnering to Support Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals), aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and acts on WFP’s World Humanitarian Summit Grand Bargain commitments in support of localisation, needs assessments, increased use of cash-based programming, and multi-year planning and funding.

JOB PURPOSE

A Regional Emergencies Officer is required in order to support implementation of Asia-Pacific emergency preparedness activities, provide support to RBB technical units and Country Offices implementing EPR-related activities, to contribute to programme formulation and/or provide technical advice and oversight of the programme.The incumbent will also support the continued development of communications, coordination, information management and reporting to facilitate informed and timely decision-making at all levels throughout the region.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Reporting to the head of the RBB Emergencies Unit, the Regional Emergencies Officer will be responsible for the following activities:

1. Contribute and support development, and implementation of, emergency preparedness initiatives in the region

  • Support EPR Programme implementation at regional/country-levels, EPR Unit coordination and oversight of the RBB Regional EPR Trust Fund, including liaison, planning, project development, implementation and financial oversight;
  • Coordination with WFP HQ-led global emergency preparedness initiatives implemented in the region;
  • Assist in identifying and assessing opportunities to address practical issues in operational emergency preparedness within RBB and Asia-Pacific Country Offices;

2. Provide advice, technical support and mission travel to WFP Asia-Pacific Country Offices, as needed, and to ensure regional emergency preparedness programmes are consistent with WFP policies and regional strategic approaches

  • Provide support to Country Offices on integration of emergency preparedness in country portfolios and strategies, including strategic development of EPR-related areas in Country Strategy Plans (CSPs);
  • Provide technical support and coordination on connectivity of country-level EPR activities  to other relevant technical areas including; Resilience, Data preparedness, Country Capacity Strengthening (CCS), Climate Change and emergency nutrition, among others;
  • Support country offices in government and inter-agency liaison, and coordination of national emergency preparedness capacity enhancement initiatives, eg. Supporting NDMAs;
  • Follow up and support on the implementation of internal WFP emergency preparedness actions at the CO and RB level;

3. Prepare, develop, and review high quality documentation for regional and country-level EPR initiatives, including contributing to joint resource mobilisation efforts

  • Develop, share and/or review timely and high-quality analytical reports, publications, information products, protocols, concept notes and proposals for internal and external use;
  • Contribute to resource mobilization efforts for WFP EPR projects, including the development and drafting of documentation clearly articulating strategic and project-level requirements, goals and outcomes, project design and implementation;

4. Support the strengthening of EPR Coordination, Communications and Information Management within the region

  • Support implementation of hazard monitoring and alerting services to ensure situational awareness and ‘no regrets’ mobilization following sudden-onset events of humanitarian and/or operational impact to WFP based on risk;
  • Provide secretariat support for internal and regional coordination fora including RBB’s Emergency Preparedness Steering Committee;
  • Liaise and communicate with HQ counterparts, relevant regional organizations and bodies, to establish/maintain operational partnerships and to identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve emergency preparedness;
  • Representation of WFP at inter-agency fora, simulations and exercises as necessary;
  • Facilitate dissemination of EPR lessons learned and best practices within the region, ensuring the maintenance of a RBB EPR community of practice with regular information/knowledge sharing;
  • Plan, coordinate and facilitate EPR regional workshops, events or trainings, as needed;

5. Emergency surge deployment and mission travel (as needed)

  • Provide surge capacity to sudden and slow-onset humanitarian emergencies on short notice in support of WFP country offices or establishment of WFP presence in oversight countries, as required;
  • Any other travel or activities as required by the Head of RBB Emergencies Unit.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

  • Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives : Utilizes understanding of WFP’s Strategic Objectives to communicate linkages to team objectives and work.
  • Be a force for positive change : Proactively identifies and develops new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area.
  • Make the mission inspiring to our team : Identifies opportunities to further align individual contributions with WFP’s mission of making an impact on local communities.
  • Make our mission visible in everyday actions : Helps colleagues to see the link between their individual tasks and the contributions of their unit’s goals to the broader context of WFP’s mission.

People

  • Look for ways to strengthen people's skills : Is able to identify, support and encourage focused on-the-job learning opportunities to address gaps between current skillsets and needed future skillsets for WFP.
  • Create an inclusive culture : Recognizes the contributions of teammates, and encourages contributions from culturally different team mates to recognise the value of diversity above and beyond just including it in programming for beneficiaries.
  • Be a coach & provide constructive feedback : Provides and solicits ongoing constructive feedback on strengths and development opportunities to help develop individual skills, whilst also helping others identify areas for improvement.
  • Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit : Sets clear targets for self and others to focus team efforts in ambiguous situations (e.g., unprecedented issues and/or scenarios)

Performance

  • Encourage innovation & creative solutions : Thinks beyond team’s conventional approaches to formulate creative methods for delivering food aid and assistance to beneficiaries. 
  • Focus on getting results : Maintains focus on achieving individual results in the face of obstacles such as volatile or fragile environments and/or organizational roadblocks.
  • Make commitments and make good on commitments : Takes personal accountability for upholding and delivering upon team’s commitments and provides assurance to stakeholders.
  • Be Decisive : Demonstrates ability to adjust to team’s plans and priorities to optimize outcomes in light of evolving directives, while also responding quickly in high-pressure environments, such as in emergency settings.

Partnership

  • Connect and share across WFP units : Demonstrates an understanding of when and how to tactfully engage other units in conversations on impact, timing, or planning
  • Build strong external partnerships : Networks regularly with key external partners using formal and informal opportunities to understand each partner’s unique value proposition, and to build and strengthen relationships  
  • Be politically agile & adaptable : Demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations 
  • Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships : Demonstrates ability to articulate to internal and external audiences the value that individual contributions and immediate teams bring to partnerships.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name

Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level

Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance

Displays ability to identify the main hunger problem at the national or subnational level to design and implement context-specific programmes that integrate complex analysis and the full range of food assistance tools.

Broad Knowledge of WFP Specialized areas (i.e. VAM, Food Security, Logistics, etc.)

Demonstrates the ability to design, implement, monitor and provide oversight over effective and efficient programmes deploying different transfer modalities.

Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Voucher)

Demonstrates the ability to design, implement, monitor and provide oversight over effective and efficient programmes deploying different transfer modalities.

Emergency Programming

Displays ability to translate understanding of programme principles in emergencies and protracted conflict situations into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches.

Strategic Policy Engagement w/ Government

Develops thorough recommendations using multiple inputs (e.g., government counsel, research, own experience) to strengthen national or subnational entities and government owned food and nutrition security programmes.

Relationship Management

Demonstrates ability to build and sustain effective collaborative relationships with appropriate stakeholders and contacts in area of expertise to raise the profile of WFP, build relationships and further organisational aims.

Communication

Facilitates and contributes to open verbal or written communication with stakeholders as required to convey tailored messages. Engages in mutually informative discussion with partners and stakeholders.

Information Analytics, Reporting & Management

Gathers, analyses and reports information in a manner that draws out fact-based insights to inform approach to partner relationships. Captures relevant information and progress and ensures internal information sharing.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

  • Advanced University degree in a field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience:

  • 6 years or more of professional experience in humanitarian response, including relevant experience in humanitarian operations;
  • Has experience working across multiple areas of the food assistance programing portfolio including VAM/Nutrition/Resilience/Climate Change, in humanitarian emergency settings.
  • Experience in drafting and developing humanitarian project proposals, donor proposals and drafting of donor/end of project reports;
  • Experience in country-level humanitarian operations in large-scale emergencies is an advantage;
  • Experience supporting emergency food assistance (in-kind and/or CBT) programming and distribution is an advantage;
  • Experience working in collaboration with a diverse array of humanitarian actors, including governments, NGOs, U.N. agencies, civil society, etc.;
  • Experience of coordination and facilitation of meetings, conducting trainings and facilitating workshops;
  • Demonstrated skills in collaborative problem-solving, lateral thinking and systems development are an advantage;
  • Experience working in the Asia-Pacific Region is desirable, but not required.

Knowledge & Skills:

  • Has led a Sub Office or a small country/area office programme team or a component of a country office programme portfolio.
  • Has engaged in policy discussions and provided input into policy decisions.
  • Professional familiarity with the IASC and the Cluster Approach and the international humanitarian response architecture, including coordination mechanisms, humanitarian reform, and funding mechanisms;
  • Familiarity with standard Microsoft Office and project management applications including advanced competencies with Microsoft Excel and Publisher and similar type of software are an advantage;

Languages:

  • Excellent English communications skills, especially written/drafting, with strong attention to detail;

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Monday, 21 January 2019 (Midnight Thailand time)

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted

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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

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Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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