Head of Field Office P3 (3 Positions) - Ambovombe, Ampanihy & Tulear, Madagascar

Overview

Lead and manage a WFP Field Office effectively.

You have:

• At least five (5) years of professional post-graduate experience in Field Office/Operations Management.
• Advanced University degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or other related field.
• Fluency (level C) in English and French language is required.

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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 lead and manage a WFP Field Office to ensure the effective and efficient management of human and financial resources and delivery of WFP programs and activities. A large emphasis is placed upon building and maintaining relationships with local governments, UN agencies and other partners in the area to reinforce WFP’s visibility.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

These roles are found in the Field Offices. Job holders report typically report to the Head of Area Office, or the Country/Deputy Country Director.

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. Manage and lead WFP field operations within the area of assignment to ensure timely and effective deployment of food assistance programmes. 2. Hold accountability for the deployment of CO initiatives, policies and strategies. 3. Effectively manage the Field Office to ensure transparent and efficient people management and the continued development of a cohesive and high performing team. 4. Ensure efficient use of financial resources for achievement of set objectives. 5. 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). 6. Collaborate with governments and other partners in identifying where food assistance can be usefully deployed at the local level and provide support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation and implementation of food assistance programmes, including advice on the context-specific transfer modalities (food, cash or vouchers). 7. Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems and conduct timely monitoring and evaluation activities. 8. Hold accountability and/or prepare accurate and comprehensive analysis and reports on WFP operations and performance with regular and timely submission for Area/Country Office review to identify programme support requirements and inform operational planning and decisions. 9. Forge and nurture external partnerships to improve assistance packages and support complementary strategies; identify potential areas for collaborative approaches and initiatives. 10. Develop and sustain liaison with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, donors, civil society, beneficiaries and other partners and media engaged in the field of food security. 11. Engage with beneficiaries, inspect storage places and points where WFP commodities are received, in order to ensure compliance with WFP policies and that progress is made in the achievement of project objectives. 12. Other as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Work experience: At least five (5) 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, multi-discipline work plans to support the achievement of WFP strategic aims within a defined area. • Has gained experience 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 political situations, assessing risk accurately and supporting managers and leaders in decision making that is sensitive to this. • Gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme etc.) • Has gained experience managing mid-size financial budgets, balancing multiple priorities effectively. • Has experience leading a mid-size to large team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives. • Participated in a vendor/government/ partner negotiation in support of broad function or Country Office requirements. • Participated in a moderately complex emergency operation/ development programme. • Has experience with security co-ordination and compound management within a mid-size 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

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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.

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Potential interview questions

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