Head of Sub Office Consultant (CST) LII

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.

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

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.

These roles are found in the Field Offices. Job holders report typically report to the Head of Area Office, or the Country/Deputy Country Director.

The purpose of this assignment is to manage and lead WFP Field Office operations in Semera Sub Office.  To ensure timely and effective deployment of food assistance programmes and management of human and financial resources and delivery of WFP programs and activities.   A large emphasis is placed upon building and maintaining relationships with local governments, UN agencies, donors and other partners in the area to reinforce WFP’s visibility.   

Education:  Advanced University degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or other related field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience:  Minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience in international development or humanitarian work.

Languages:  Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director (Programme & Field Operations), the Head of Sub Office will be responsible for the following duties: -

• Hold accountability for the deployment of CO initiatives, policies and strategies in Semera Sub Office.
• Effectively manage the Sub Office to ensure transparent and efficient people management and the continued development of a cohesive and high performing team.
• Ensure efficient use of financial resources for achievement of set objectives in the Sub Office.
• Hold accountability for the security of WFP staff, operations, premises and assets in the Sub Office to ensure that WFP security and safety standards are locally set and followed. Actively participate and contribute to the Area Security Management Team (ASMT).
• Collaborate with governments and other partners in identifying where food and nutrition assistance can be usefully deployed at the local level and provide support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation and implementation of food assistance programmes, including advice on the context-specific transfer modalities (food, cash or vouchers).
• Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems and conduct timely monitoring and evaluation activities; and ensure lessons learnt inform improvements in operations.
• Hold accountability and/or prepare accurate and comprehensive analysis and reports on WFP operations and performance with regular and timely submission for Area/Country Office review to identify programme support requirements and inform operational planning and decisions

• Forge and nurture external partnerships to improve assistance packages and support complementary strategies; identify potential areas for collaborative approaches and initiatives.
• Develop and sustain liaison with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, donors, civil society, beneficiaries and other partners and media engaged in the field of food security.
• Engage with beneficiaries, inspect storage places and points where WFP commodities are received, in order to ensure compliance with WFP policies and that progress is made in the achievement of project objectives; thus, assuring efficient and timely assistance.
• Hold accountability for emergency food security and nutrition response, ensuring collaborative approach with government and other humanitarian partners. 
• Perform other duties as required.

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. Effectively serves as the public face of WFP by building personal connections and rapport with strategic external partners and proactively identifying and seizing opportunity to constantly re-align partnership with evolving internal and external environments.
•  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. Expertly illustrates WFP’s unique ability to build resilience and strengthen the capacity of governments and communities in order to influence and negotiate with strategic partners.

• Has developed, or supported in the development of, multi-discipline work plans to support the achievement of WFP strategic aims within a defined area.
• Has gained experience in field operations, preferably in a hardship duty station or emergency situation.
• Has field experience via field rotations or working in a sub-office, and through field postings.
• Gained experience of analysing political situations, assessing risk accurately and supporting managers and leaders in decision making that is sensitive to this.
• Gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme etc.)
• Has gained experience managing mid-size financial budgets, balancing multiple priorities effectively.
• Has experience leading a mid-size to large team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
• Participated in a vendor/government/ partner negotiation in support of broad function or Country Office requirements.
• Participated in a moderately complex emergency operation/ development programme.
• Has experience with security co-ordination and compound management within a mid-size area.

JOB TITLE:                          Head of Sub Office

TYPE OF CONTRACT:       Consultant LII 

UNIT/DIVISION:                Semera Sub Office, Afar Region

DUTY STATION (City, Country):    Semera, Ethiopia

DURATION:                        11 Months

REPORTING LINE:            Deputy Country Director (Programme & Field Operations)

5th February 2020

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.