Head of Field Office P2 (2 Positions) - Amboasary & Bekily, Madagascar

Overview

Manage field operations for effective food assistance delivery

You have:

• At least three (3) years of professional post-graduate experience in Field Office/Operations Management.
• Advanced University degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or related field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
• Fluency (level C) in English & French language is required.

.

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.

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

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

These jobs are found in relatively small Field Offices where the range of implemented programmes and activities are limited. Job holders work under close supervision of the Head of Area Office, or Deputy Country Director, or the designate.

MADAGASCAR COUNTRY CONTEXT

Madagascar is facing the most severe drought since 1981, affecting most of the areas in the Grand South, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis reveals a dramatic situation: 1.14 million people need urgent assistance (IPC Phase 3 or above), with pockets of population in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5). With insufficient food stocks, high prices of staples due to COVID-19 and related restrictions, and poor employment opportunities, the situation is expected to continue deteriorating. The 2020-2021 drought and consequent food security crisis have also further worsened the nutritional situation: over 500,000 children under the age of five in the Grand South will likely suffer from acute malnutrition through April 2022, and of these, over 110,000 are severely malnourished and in urgent need of action. Beyond the situation in the Grand South, Madagascar remains highly vulnerable to various hazards including floods, cyclones, locust invasions, and epidemics - all resulting in loss of lives, livelihoods, and social and economic capital. Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic added another layer of complication for the most vulnerable households in urban areas.

The Head of Field/antenna will plays a vital role in ensuring timely, coherent and effective food security interventions and climate change adaption mechanism and mitigation measures by mobilizing and supporting stakeholders to deliver a WFP's coordinated and strategic response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis under the UN nexus approach.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

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

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Work experience: At least three (3) years of professional post-graduate experience in Field Office/Operations Management.

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 & French language is required.

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.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term as well as a rotational contract with a probationary period of one year.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit icsc.un.org.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

21 November, 2021

.

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.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

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