Head of Operations Centre (OPSCEN) Secretariat, CST lvl 2, Rome, Italy

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, color, 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.

Job Title: Head of Operations Centre (OPSCEN) Secretariat

Type of Contract: CST Level II

Division: Emergency Operations/ OPSCEN Secretariat

Duty Station (City, Country): Rome, Italy

Duration: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

This job is found in the Headquarters’ Emergency Operations Division (EME). The Job holder report to the Head of Operational Support. The EME Division contributes to WFP’s strategic goal of achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 through the management of an emergency preparedness and response portfolio. It provides a field focused, service oriented, steering and convening role focusing on forward looking preparedness and support to emergencies to ensure a swift, coordinated, and integrated response. Within EME, the Operations Centre (OPSCEN) Secretariat Team is the corporate focal point for Operational Information Management (OIM), Operational Reporting and Inter-Agency Information Management. The objective of the Unit is to provide a foundation to enable timely decision-making for the coordinated and effective response at both internal and external levels.

To further improve internal processes to inform key decision makers in a timely, efficient and comprehensive manner the candidate is responsible for the reporting oversight for global operational reporting and providing a global overview of WFP’s operations and emergency responses. In addition, the candidate will contribute to the modernization and digitization of WFP’s corporate reporting products and platforms, including but not limited to the Daily Operational Brief and OPweb. The post also focuses on strengthening the Unit’s technical, analytical, and strategic capacities.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Coordinate WFP’s global operational reporting to support decision making and advocacy, liaising with divisions, country offices, and regional bureaus to oversee the drafting, editing and dissemination of WFP’s Global Operational Response Plan.

2. Produce regular communications, reporting, and information management products related to WFP’s global operations and emergency responses, including talking points, topic briefs, presentations, fact sheets, and social media content.

3. Provide analytical, technical, and secretarial support to WFP’s global coordination structures, including the Operational and Strategic Task Forces, Crisis Management Teams (CMT), and Cross-Functional Analytical Group.

4. Support the modernization and digitization of WFP’s emergency information management platforms, processes, and products to ensure outputs are clear and digestible for diverse audiences, internal and external to WFP.

5. Deploy to provide operational information management and reporting support in response to field requests from country offices and regional bureaus.

6. Provide strategic communications, reporting, and information management support to the Director of Emergencies, Deputy Directors, Heads of Unit (HoU), as needed.

7. Responsible (in coordination with the surge unit) for the development of standardized training on core OIM/Reporting competencies.

8. Responsible for providing emergency reporting and Information management guidance to OIM officers at CO and RB level.

9. Coordinate staff rotation including scheduling weekend and holiday coverage, ensuring consistent and predictable OPSCEN Secretariat coverage

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Global communications, reporting and information management products, including the Global Operational Response Plan are produced in a timely manner
• Continuous analytical, technical, and secretarial support to WFP global coordination structures, EME, and the OPSCEN/OIM Unit.
• Emergency support to Regional Bureaus and Country Offices by deploying to field locations.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced University degree in International Relations, Political Science, Conflict Analysis, Information Management, Journalism, Data Science or other relevant fields.

Experience:

At least 6 years of postgraduate related professional work experience.

Languages:

Fluent in English, with excellent writing skills, and working knowledge. Good working knowledge (level B) of a second UN language, preferably French, Spanish or Arabic is desirable.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong writing skills with a demonstrated ability to research, draft and clear concise information products or analyses.
• Excellent analytical and conceptual skills.
• Excellent knowledge of humanitarian operations, methods and systems.
• Knowledge of current political events; advanced, region-specific knowledge is an advantage.
• Strong ability to use standard office software (MS Office).
• Knowledge of design or graphic software is an advantage.
• Knowledge of data visualisation and/or base management is an advantage.

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 the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 23 September 2022

Ref.: VA No. 173170

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.