Supply Chain Talent Management Consultant

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 (WFP) 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.

About the Position

Conflicts, natural disasters and economic crises have contributed to the increase in the number of acutely food insecure people from 80 million to 135 million from 2015 to 2019. New estimates, which include the devastating impacts of COVID-19, show that the number of acutely food insecure people is expected to reach 270 million by the end of 2020 in the 79 countries where WFP works. Furthermore, as the COVID-19 pandemic expands to most of the countries where WFP is working, there will be a requirement to meet an increase in staffing needs with the right profiles and numbers, at the right time and location.

Now more than ever, the Supply Chain Operations Division (SCO) needs to attract, develop and retain top quality individuals to implement effective operations and to perform successfully across various technical as well as strategic functions.

The main purpose of this short-term position is to help ensure that the global Supply Chain function has the right staff on the right roles, by facilitating talent deployment, talent acquisition and capability development. The Supply Chain Consultant will support staffing coordination and establish an institutional knowledge of staff in responsible functions globally, with a focus on the international staff.

The Supply Chain Consultant will be a member of the Staffing Coordination Unit Team, led by the Supply Chain Staffing Coordinator, who reports directly to the SCO Director.

The incumbent will work closely with the Division of Human Resources, provide strategic inputs into the design and implementation of corporate Human Resources (HR) Management initiatives, and advise senior managers in Country Offices / Regional Bureaux / HQ on staffing issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Supply Chain Staffing Coordinator, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

• Contribute to building and managing supply chain talent within WFP, working with managers to understand their needs, and planning / implementing solutions to recruit, retain, manage and develop a high caliber workforce to deliver business objectives.
• Contribute to the review and execution of the SCO People Implementation Plan.
• Lead the functional implementation of HR operational and training activities, as well as organization-wide campaigns.
• Coordinate the external recruitment process of supply chain staff with hiring managers as well as the HR Division, to ensure the recruitment of top candidates in a timely manner. Act as delegate of the Staffing Coordinator in external recruitment interviews when required.
• Help to devise a strategy for active sourcing that will support the priorities of the Supply Chain function workforce plans.
• Coordinate the functional role in the professional promotion exercise, with the Supply Chain Staffing Coordinator, SCO Management, and HR counterparts.
• In coordination with the Supply Chain Staffing Coordinator and HR colleagues, counsel staff members and hiring managers in the field and in HQ on complex issues related to supply chain staffing and career development. Maintain and share knowledge of best practices.
• In coordination with relevant units, oversee the process to address staffing requests from Country Offices, Regional Bureaux and HQ Service Branches. When needed, manage the identification of TDYers and consultants, in particular for emergency deployments.
• In the absence of the Staffing Coordinator, support the SCO Director in preparation for reassignment and/or any other staff-related tasks.
• Design and implement a division-wide, integrated approach to attract, deploy and retain high quality Junior Professional Officers, in consultation with SCO managers in HQ and the field, and the HR JPO focal points.
• Ensure that gender and diversity perspectives are incorporated in the divisional and organizational objectives in all areas of work, in line with respective HR policies and guidance.
• Perform all other related duties as required.

Qualifications and experience

• Advanced university degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, HR Management, Public or Business Administration, Industrial Psychology or other relevant field, or first university degree with additional years of related work experience or training/courses.
• At least 7 years of post-graduate, progressively responsible, relevant professional experience.
• Previous experience in HR related project management.
• Knowledge of common business principles and processes and the ability to quickly assimilate UN/WFP specific processes and systems.
• Ability to build and maintain effective work relationships with supply chain counterparts, HR counterparts, managers and staff within HQ/Regional Bureaux/Country Offices.
• Ability to manage a team.
• Ability to establish priorities, and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under his/her supervision.
• Ability to draft clear, concise reports or rational for management decisions.
• Good interpersonal skills, teamwork spirit and ability to work in multicultural settings.
• Good communication skills with the ability to persuade, influence and adapt communication styles to different situations and individuals.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, in particular Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Access.
• Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP's working languages ) would be an advantage. 

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

 Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 19 July 2020

Ref.: VA No. 123256

Qualified 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.