Head of Field Office (NOB)- Harare Field Office

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.

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.

The World Food Programme’s (WFP) 2017–2021 Country Strategic Plan (CSP) for Zimbabwe is a significant step forward on WFP’s vision for zero hunger as it addresses food security and nutrition challenges. The objectives of WFP’s food assistance interventions are to collaborate with governments and partners at all levels to maximize the food security and nutrition impact of existing safety net programmes and to offer technical, advisory services related to the design, operationalization and evaluation of the cost-efficiency and effectiveness of food security and nutrition-sensitive safety nets and other food security, nutrition and resilience-building interventions. WFP is expanding its urban intervention and the expansion will see the harare Field Office covering more operational areas and increased caseloads. Under the overall supervision of the Country Director and direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director, the Head of Field Office will plan and manage field operations.

The implementation of CSP activities under the Harare Field Office operational area and expansion of the urban intervention into additional domains requires a stable staff complement within the Harare Field Office. The position is required for effective planning  and management of field operations to ensure the effective and efficient deployment of food assistance programmes and use of allocated resources in the four provinces namely, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and the Harare Metropolitan Province.

To plan and manage field operations to ensure the effective and efficient deployment of food assistance programmes and use of allocated resources.

1. Effectively manage the Field Office to ensure the continued development of a cohesive and high performing team.
2. Plan and manage WFP field operations within the area of assignment to ensure effective and efficient delivery of food assistance and that daily operational issues are timely resolved to prevent losses or delays. 
3. Ensure that allocated resources are used efficiently and are in line with agreed plans, and any deviations are reported to the Area/Country Office.
4. Hold accountability for the security of WFP staff, operations, premises and assets in the Field 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).
5. Conduct timely monitoring and evaluation of activities and prepare accurate and comprehensive reports on WFP’s operations and performance with regular and timely submission for Area/Country Office review to inform efficient operational planning and decisions.
6. Build effective and collaborative relations with the local authorities and contribute to the expertise sharing and capacity building for effective preparedness and response to food assistance needs.
7. Build partnerships to improve assistance packages, develop and sustain liaison with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, civil societies, beneficiaries and other partners and media engaged in the field of food security.
8. Ensure extensive and frequent presence at project areas, distribution sites and centres.
9. Other as required

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.
Language: Fluency (level C) in English language and Shona and /or Ndebele.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of relevant and progressively responsible work experience in international development or humanitarian work.
• Has experience leading a small to mid-size team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
• Has gained some exposure in field operations, preferably in a hardship duty station or emergency situation.
• Gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme etc.).
• Participated in a small emergency operation/ development programme Has experience working in both emergency and development context.
• Ability to prepare Field Office programme implementation activity plans, updates and reports.
• Able to build partnerships through internal and external stakeholder engagement and management.
• Has experience in developing and maintaining a strong team that is capable of delivering results through good people management.

• Has developed, or supported in the development of, single discipline work plans to support the achievement of WFP strategic aims within a defined area.
• Has gained some exposure 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 local political situations and assessing risk accurately.
• Gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme etc.).
• Has gained experience managing small to mid-size financial budgets, balancing priorities effectively.
• Has experience leading a small to mid-size team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
• Participated in a vendor/government/ partner negotiation within area of focus.
• Participated in a small emergency operation/ development programme.
• Has experience with security co-ordination and compound management within a smaller area.

Applies understanding of WFP’s operations within the area of assignment to ensure optimal deployment of food aid and food assistance programmes and the resolution of high impact operational issues that arise.

Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, and with accuracy.

Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities 

Applies negotiation, networking and diplomacy skills to develop, nurture and sustain mutually beneficial external partnerships with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, civil societies, UN agencies, donors, beneficiaries and other partners/ media engaged in the field of food security, to improve assistance packages

Experience in utilising computers, including word processing, spreadsheet and other standard WFP software packages and systems.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit their application via E- Recruitment  attaching a signed application letter, a Curriculum Vitae and a signed Personal History Form (P11) available at http://www.unon.org/docs/P11. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the recruitment processes.

WFP DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING)

Deadline for applications: 7 April 2020

Female applicants who are qualified and experienced  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.