Head of Field Operation (CST Level II, Cox's Bazar)

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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.

Terms and Conditions

Type of Contract: International Consultancy (CST Level II)

Position Title: Head of Field Operation

Unit: Programme

Duty Station: Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

Duration: 11 months

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.

Background and Organizational Context

WFP has been supporting 1.4 million people in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: 860,000 Rohingya refugees and 440,000 host community Bangladeshi under the L2 emergency operation. As of June 2021, WFP Cox’s Bazar office has over 380 staff with an annual budget of US$270 million.

The refugee camp situation has been volatile for the past two years and the GoB has put more focus on security issues in the camps and social tension between Rohingya refugees and the host community. The WFP field operations need closer coordination with various stakeholders, including RRRC office, CiCs, DC office, UNOs, the military, the police, political/community leaders, and other groups. Over the past year, WFP field operations have addressed key challenges of our operations, including WFP project approval from RRRC and CiCs, cash assistance in the camps, land negotiation for e-voucher outlets and fresh food corners, fencing and security issues, relocation between the camps, social tensions between refugees and host community, rapid response to disasters, amongst others.

In addition, WFP has launched operations in Bhasan Char, a remote island approximately 60 km off the mainland. The Field Operations unit may be requested to provide equivalent support in Bhasan Char, depending on the scale of the operations.

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of Deputy Head of Programme, the incumbent will oversee WFP field operations, address the key operational challenges, and report to the management on any significant issues and potential risks in the field. The incumbent will develop and ensure better coordination with all partners, particularly government counterparts, on all field-related issues, including programme, security, supply chain, engineering, and others, as required. The incumbent will support WFP’s project approval process, new initiatives and challenges, and provide practical solutions in the field and suggestions for management decisions. The incumbent is also expected to ensure the field staff code of conduct through regular field meetings.

Key Responsibilities (not all-inclusive)

1. Lead coordination on WFP field operations, especially project approval process, with the government counterparts, such as the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) office and different CiCs.
2. Collect intelligence and information and report to management on key issues and risks of WFP field operations in the camps.
3. Oversee WFP field operations in both Ukhiya and Teknaf sub-districts to ensure effective and efficient delivery of programme activities and daily operational issues.
4. If required, provide field operations supervision in Bhasan Char.
5. Strengthen field-level coordination with government counterparts, UN & NGO partners, service providers, political/community leaders, and other key stakeholders.
6. Lead and facilitate WFP’s field-oriented activities, including land negotiation, cash and Rohingya volunteers, relocation, fencing and security, access to the camps, amongst others.
7. Contribute to WFP’s coordination on emergency preparedness and response for new arrivals, relocation, natural disasters and infectious diseases.
8. Monitor government restrictions and policy changes, including cash to refugees, rules surrounding engagement of Rohingya volunteers, fencing, and share major findings and potential risks to management.
9. Support WFP’s new initiatives, such as fresh food corners, digital systems, bKash mobile money (where relevant), amongst others, especially when field coordination is required with the Government and partners.
10. Support and facilitate the project approval process and address the challenges which may come up from the project implementation.
11. Support WFP’s monitoring activities and share major findings with management.
12. Ensure WFP staff’s extensive and frequent field presence.
13. Accompany missions externally and internally as required.
14. Organize regular field staff meetings to ensure code of conduct and support any other challenge the field staff may face.
15. Lead, motivate, and develop an effective field operation team to enable high performance. Build capacities of national staff.
16. Perform any other duty as required in view of smooth implementation of WFP field operations.

Qualifications & Experience Required

Education:

Master's degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance, or Bachelor Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Desired experiences for entry into the role:

• 6 years of progressive experience in working with humanitarian response operations or development sector, and with at least 3 years of field experience particularly in refugee operations.
• Has demonstrated experience working with government entities at multiple levels.
• Has taken leadership of implementing programmes.
• Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions.
• Has proven experience directly managing teams.

Language:

Proficiency in English.

Deadline For Applications

Sunday, 20 February 2022 (Midnight Bangladesh time)

To Apply

Click ‘Apply’ link below to start the application process. Candidate are requested to create an account in WFP E-Recruitment system before applying.

Please also include your CV with a cover letter, highlighting your motivation and suitability for this vacancy, as part of an online application.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package including basic salary, Rest & Recuperation (R&R), and medical insurance.

Please visit https://www.wfp.org/countries/bangladesh to learn more about WFP’s operations in Bangladesh.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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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.