Head of Field Office (Marsabit & Wajir), NOB (2 Positions)

Programme & Policy

Overview

Lead food systems strengthening initiatives in Kenya's Field Office

You have:

• Advanced University degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, or relevant field.
• At least 5 years of post-graduate experience in resilience building programmes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of food systems approach, crops/livestock production in arid areas.
• Deepened experience in technical coordination and operational support to county governments.

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

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.

JOB PURPOSE

Through the five-year Country Strategic Plan (CSP), WFP in Kenya continues its shift from service delivery to capacity strengthening of national and county institutions to implement sustainable hunger solutions. Furthermore, WFP aims to ensure that food systems in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya are sustainable, resilient, efficient and inclusive as part of adaptation to climate change, and enable people to access and consume a healthy diet.

The purpose of this position is to lead a cross-functional team in a small field office that provides technical expertise to the county government(s) to strengthen food systems, in line with WFP’s CSP.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

These jobs are found in relatively small Field Offices where the range of implemented programmes and activities are limited. Job holders will report to the Deputy Country Director, or the designate.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Economics, Environmental Science, Range Management, Land and Water Management, Disaster Risk Management and/or Climate Change, Environment, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Development Studies or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional five years of related work experiences and/or training/courses.

Experience: At least 5 years of post-graduate or demonstrated experience and deepened technical knowledge in the design and implementation of resilience building programmes, market linkages of small-scale traders/producers, including in-depth knowledge of the theory, practice and/or trends in the food systems approach, particularly crops/livestock production in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya

Deepened experience in technical coordination and operational support to county governments;

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership, Planning and Implementation

1. Effectively manage the Field Office to ensure the continued development of a cohesive, gender-sensitive and high performing team.
2. Lead, plan and manage WFP operations within the areas of assignment to ensure (i) programme quality, including the effective and efficient delivery of food assistance and (ii) that daily operational issues are swiftly resolved to prevent losses, delays or reputational risk to WFP.
3. Hold accountability for the security of WFP staff, operations and financial resources, premises and assets in the Field Office; effectively management of WFP resources ensuring value for money.
4. Ensure that WFP policies and procedures implemented in the Field Office through the implementation of the CSP activities.
5. In line with the County Integrated Development Plans (CIDP) and through joint work plans, provide technical assistance to county governments to strengthen systems, policies and frameworks in areas of climate resilience, disaster risk management, nutrition, food security, school meals and social protection.
6. In collaboration with the country government and other development partners, promote crop and livestock production for the most important value chains in the county(ies) that are nutrition sensitive, identifying constraints, market-based solutions, and incentives to integrate micro, small and medium enterprises (food producers, processors or traders) into market systems in the county and within the established regional economic blocs.
7. Coordinate targeting of vulnerable communities and households within the principle of ‘leaving no one behind’ including women, children, youth, People Living with Disability, etc. Identify communities ready to transition from direct support and select new expansion areas in consultation with the relevant county departments.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (cont)

Leadership, Planning and Implementation (cont.)

8. Working with county governments, monitor implementation progress and identify challenges pertaining to the implementation of the joint work-plans and formulate solutions to address them.

9. Manage and monitor performance of cooperating partners or contractors, and verify monthly invoices before submitting to the CO in Nairobi.

10. Promote innovation and use of new technologies in the areas of work that contribute to achieving food security.

11. Liaise with technical and functional units in Nairobi to support effective programme delivery and ensure the implementation of corporate tools such as COMET, SCOPE, etc. in the field office.

Partnerships, Coordination and Resource mobilization

1. Ensure effective WFP representation in the relevant coordination forums at county level and ensure coherent messaging on WFP’s value proposition.
2. Establish and maintain strategic partnerships at county level, and identify synergistic opportunities for collaboration and joint programming with the Rome-Based Agencies and other sister UN Agencies.
3. Build partnerships to achieve food and nutrition security with local government authorities, NGOs, civil society, private sector, academia and other partners.
4. Promote WFP’s visibility and branding in the area of assignment through media, communication campaigns and branding materials and manage a regular flow of information about WFP’s work.
5. Contribute to preparation of funding proposals, ensuring funding is utilized according to the donor requirements/earmarking conditions. Advocate for increased investments on food security and nutrition related issues by the county government(s);
6. Plan and manage donor missions to the areas of operations;
7. Other as required.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
• Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
• Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
• Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
• Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
• Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
• Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
• Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
• Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
• Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
• Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
• Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name

Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level

Strategy & Planning

Applies strong understanding of key national and sub-national socio-political issues and the complexity and range of WFP’s CSP and oversee the implementation of programmes in the area of responsibility, coordinating and monitoring to ensure effective fulfilment of the area’s specific needs and priorities.

Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance

Displays ability to identify the main hunger problem at the national or subnational level to design and implement context-specific programmes that integrate complex analysis and the full range of food assistance tools.

Transfer Modalities (in-kind Food, Cash-based)

Demonstrates ability to analyze and consolidate quantitative and qualitative information from different sources (e.g., market studies) to inform transfer modality selection and programme development.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• 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.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• The World Food Programme DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
• WFP embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that celebrates diversity and inclusivity in all ways. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications and merit.
• Applications for this position will close at 11:59 p.m. (East African Time) on the deadline date.
• The deadline for receiving applications for this position is 14 February 2022.

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All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: wfp.org