Business Efficiencies Consultant

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

The selection will be competitive; WFP is committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

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

In his December 2017 report, the Secretary-General presented his vision and proposals to reposition the UN development system to better respond to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This aspect of the reform – which later came to be known as "the efficiency agenda" - aims to realize cost avoidance and performance improvement by harmonizing, centralizing and consolidating the use of resources to generate efficiencies in financial and quality terms, to be redeployed as part of programmes to support the 2030 Agenda better.

The Business Operations Strategy (BOS) is a framework guiding UN business operations at the country level. The BOS facilitates the strategic planning, management, monitoring, and reporting of the UNCT’s joint support to programme delivery through common business operations.

Additionally, the Common Back Office (CBO) is one of the critical instruments to advance the Secretary- General's agenda, as outlined in his report. A CBO represents a new way of operating at the country level. It is a framework that encourages UN entities to consolidate a range of their business operations for greater efficiency and effectiveness by removing duplication in their support structure.

JOB PURPOSE

WFP Regional Bureau Panama has identified the need to establish a consultant position to support, guide and reinforce WFP field team efforts during the BOS and CBO implementation in all countries in the LAC region. The position will be based in Panama City, Panama.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Under the supervision of the Regional UN Reform Advisor and the Deputy Regional Director in Panama the consultant will have the following responsibilities:

1. Improve WFP field staff awareness of Business Operation Strategy (BOS) and Common Back Office (CBO) process, the requirements and workload for each step in the BOS and CBO establishment process.

2. Coordinate efforts within the RB/HQ to jointly guide and support Country Offices on BOS/CBO implementation.

3. Support and guide relevant WFP field staff to ensure accurate engagement at UNCT/OMT level.

4. Work with WFP field staff to advocate WFP position as a leader for specific services and activities as per WFP CBO guidance and service catalogue.

5. Coordinate data collection, benchmarking exercises, cost-benefit analysis in collaboration with WFP Regional/HQ UN reform focal points.

6. Oversee data management processes for the new BOS/CBO online tool.

7. Ensure coherence with the other targets under the BIG targets (BOS-Common Premise) by coordinating with operational leads to maintain deliverability within the timelines of the project.

8. Update Change Management Support Team (CMST) on the CBO implementation progress in the field.

9. Build and maintain a partnership with other UN agencies, including UNDCO at the country level.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

. List of services/activates to be offered/ received through BOS/CBO in the countries covered by Panama Regional Bureau.

. Deliver cost-benefit analysis training to WFP field staff

. Summarize lessons learnt and key challenges faced during the BOS/CBO roll-out and implementation.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: University degree in Business/Public Administration, Engineering, or other relevant fields relating to office management and administration.

Experience: Candidate should have at least 3 years of experience preferably with WFP enabling services at the field (Finance-Administration-Supply chain-TEC-HR) with previous experience in managing service providers and establishing business operation Strategy (BOS).

Knowledge & Skills: It is desirable that candidates have proven analytical skills with Knowledge of WFP Financial policies, procedures. Ability to interpret complex issues and develop feasible solutions. Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to coordinate teamwork. Ability to plan effectively and deliver in line with established deadlines and priorities. Effective organizational and planning skills to ensure set objectives are achieved within agreed timeframes. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work effectively with personnel with diverse backgrounds.

Languages: Fluency (level C) in English and Spanish language. Knowledge of French will be an advantage.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position: Business Efficiencies Consultant

Number of openings: 1

Unit: Management

Based in: Panama City, Panama

Type of Contract: Consultancy

Duration: 11 months

Only short-listed qualified candidates will receive an acknowledgement.

This vacancy is open to all candidates who meet the requirements of the position.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please create a personal account and fill out the profile form with your personal information at http://www1.wfp.org/careers/job-openings. If you are internal applicant, apply through yor E-Recruitment profile.

In the application form, ensure filling the mandatory sections, attaching your CV, answering the pre-screening questions and agreeing on the legal statement before submitting your application. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis on account of potential and performance. All applicants will undergo a rigorous process which includes screening against job requirements, a technical test, and a panel interview.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The deadline to apply for this position is March 5, 2021.

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“Qualified applicants, especially female applicants, are 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.