Consultant, Resource Management and Inter-Agency Matters

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

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and WFP is committed to

promoting diversity and gender balance

BACKGROUND & CONTEXT

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. It is one of the largest programmes in the United Nations common system, both by number of employees (over 20,000) and by revenue (over USD 8 billion). WFP is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

WFP’s Chief Financial Officer & Assistant Executive Director (CFO & AED) is charged with ensuring effective stewardship, and maximizing the impact, of WFP resources. He oversees the work of the Resource Management Department, which has a diverse portfolio that includes planning and performance; financial and risk management; engineering, environmental, and fleet management; and information and telecommunications technology.

The CFO & AED is assisted by a small front office team that provides the professional, technical, and administrative support needed to carry out his mandate.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The Office of the CFO & AED seeks a professional on a short-term basis (up to 11 months) to join the front office team to manage the work of the CFO & AED relating to external parties, including liaising with and coordinating information exchanges with the secretariats of various UN inter-agency bodies (for example, ACABQ and HLCM) and WFP’s governance and oversight bodies (for example, the WFP Executive Board, WFP Audit Committee, and FAO Finance Committee).

Beyond inter-agency matters, the successful candidate will be expected to provide a wide range of professional support to the CFO & AED across his portfolio. In particular, she or he will:

• coordinate and prepare written materials, including briefing papers, thematic research, and notes for the record;
• review, quality-check, and provide appropriate advice on work product requiring CFO & AED review and / or approval;
• provide guidance and support to division directors to ensure that departmental work is timely completed, consistent with internal management decisions, WFP policies, Executive Board decisions and other relevant guidance; and
• undertake any other tasks required to ensure the smooth operation of the Office of the CFO & AED.

The successful candidate will be expected to engage directly with the CFO & AED to carry out this assignment. She or he will report to the Executive Manager of the Office of the CFO & AED. The position is based at WFP headquarters in Rome, Italy. Although a remote work arrangement is possible, the selected candidate is expected to be physically present in Rome.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced degree, preferably in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, law, international relations, development, political science, or a related field.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years professional experience, including experience in one of the areas within the RM portfolio (finance, budget and programming, performance and enterprise risk management, technology, engineering and facilities management). Field experience is preferred.

Knowledge & Skills:

The candidate must possess a combination of strong analytical and inter-personal skills. In particular, he or she must be able to:

• critically review and analyse data and other information;
• write clearly and concisely for varied purposes and audiences;
• speak effectively to give oral briefings and to convey the positions and messages of the CFO & AED and of RM Department to varied audiences;
• anticipate requirements, problems, and obstacles and problem-solve with flexibility and adaptability;
• work accurately at a fast pace and under tight deadlines;
• manage multiple and competing demands in an organized and timely manner and with a sense of when and how to elevate issues;
• demonstrate a high degree of personal accountability for completed work products / delivery of an outcome, including when undertaken as part of a team;
• drive progress in processes involving multiple stakeholders, and fosters inter-departmental, inter-divisional cooperation;
• demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and maintain productive working relationships with people at all levels, including senior managers, from varying disciplines, and from diverse backgrounds; and
• secure high levels of trust through exercise of tact, discretion, judgment, and respect for confidentiality.

Languages:

Fluent written and spoken English. Knowledge of a second UN language is preferred.

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 our website for more information on working with WFP: http://www.wfp.org (click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations; and “Who we are” and “Governance and leadership” to learn more about the CFO & AED).

Deadline for applications: Monday, 15 March 2021, midnight Rome time

Ref.: 140661

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.