Humanitarian Military Interaction Officer

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

Call for Interest

POSITION TITLE: Humanitarian Military Interaction Officer

UNIT/DIVISION: Humanitarian Military Interaction (HMI) Unit, Emergency Operations Division (EME)

DUTY STATION (City, Country): TBD – Global placement

DURATION: TBD – Varied and dependant of contextual need

Terms of Reference:

The current state of humanitarian response is characterized by more frequent natural disasters and the protracted nature of the most severe conflict-driven crises. Due to its mandate, operational presence, and size WFP is more regularly operating in contexts where military and other armed actors are present. This has resulted in an unavoidable sharing of space between military entities and the humanitarian community.

As a result, WFP is working to establish a more standard approach to, and more structured dialogue with military entities in our areas of operation to improve information-sharing, coordinate predictable and systematic access of WFP personnel and cargo, and ensure appropriate logistics planning and response. Additionally, WFP seeks to establish context-specific civil-military coordination strategies and guidance where and when appropriate.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities:

Operations:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and dialogue with humanitarian actors, UN agencies, and particularly the UN OCHA CMCoord framework.
• Establish, maintain and/or participate in reliable coordination mechanisms at the operational and tactical level with military and security forces regarding WFP activities. This includes implementation of any agreed mechanisms.
• Liaise with security forces to facilitate the movement of humanitarian cargo to ensure effective operational planning and response.
• Act as a point of contact for WFP with militaries and other security actors to facilitate the movement of humanitarian convoys as required; acting to ensure an integrated planning process and effective coordination on prioritization.
• Promulgate and advocate with military forces, on the range of WFP/CPs planning and operational activities, while ensuring alignment with the established international and national civil-military coordination standards. Ensure that humanitarian principles, operational priorities and response plans of the humanitarian community, as related to civil-military coordination relations are communicated, and appropriately considered.
• Provide expert assistance on civil-military coordination considerations, for developing plans to assist WFP management at all levels in the emergency response.
• Where appropriate and applicable support the humanitarian community in its interaction with militaries for the use of military and civil defence assets, and foreign military assets.

Coordination:

• Establish contact, sustain a dialogue and coordinate with military/state counterparts to ensure the appropriate and mutual exchange of information about ongoing WFP activities.
• Serve as the primary focal point in-country/in the area for all matters, including policy, related to UN-CMCoord, in close consultation with other units, namely the Programme, Supply Chain and Security focal points.
• Participate in working groups, meetings and consultations with other UN agencies and humanitarian partners related to matters of civil-military coordination.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Reporting:

• Create an actor-mapping of any/all relevant civil-military coordination actors in the civil-military ecosystem of the relevant country/operation, as required.
• Provide situation reports on ongoing civil-military coordination activities, in agreed formats and timeframe.

• Regularly document major/main engagements between WFP operations and military and security services in specific contexts, maintaining a record of issues, inputs, and outcomes.

• Systematically Identify, document and communicate any potential/actual challenges with regard to coordination between military and security forces and the humanitarian community.

• Monitor, analyse and report on major accomplishments/progress.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

University degree in one or more of the following disciplines: International Relations, Political/Social Science, Development, Security Management or Economics. OCHA UN-CMCoord training is an advantage.

Experience:

• At least four years of postgraduate professional experience in international humanitarian work in the areas of: civil-military coordination, logistics, security or other operational management function, or military experience.
• Substantial exposure to, or experience in, both the humanitarian and security sectors is a strong asset.

Knowledge and skills:

Good analytical and problem solving skills; resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement, tact, negotiating skills; familiarity with and experience in the application of civil-military coordination, international policies and practices; ability to cope with situations which may threaten health or safety (own, and others); flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan in line with operational requirements; willingness to travel for extended periods of time. Willingness to work in challenging environments / field locations.

Languages:

Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Fluency in another UN Language 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: 28 June 2021

Ref.: VA No. 142686

Qualified 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.