Roving Food Security Cluster Coordinator for Preparedness

Overview

Lead preparedness efforts for food security in emergency contexts.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in food security, agriculture, economics, humanitarian affairs or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in humanitarian response at a mid or senior level.
• Experience in food security related topics is mandatory.
• Experience with inter-agency coordination is desirable.
• Proficiency in English; knowledge of another UN language is required.

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.

Job Title: Roving Food Security Cluster Coordinator for Preparedness

Type of Contract: Consultancy, Level II

Division: Emergency Operations Division

Duty Station (City, Country): Rome HQ, Italy

Duration: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

This job is based in the Emergency Operations Division in Headquarters. The incumbent will report to the Food Security Cluster Global Coordinator and will closely work with WFP and FAO as Cluster Lead Agencies of the global Food Security Cluster.

The Emergency Operations Division (EME) contributes to WFP’s strategic goal of achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 through the management of an emergency preparedness and response portfolio. EME 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.

The Food Security Cluster (FSC) is committed to saving lives through the coordination of the food security response in major emergencies. The global Food Security Cluster team is located in Rome and provides strategic, technical and operational support to field-based Food Security Clusters and sectors. It is co-chaired by the WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and includes 83 global partners active.

The roving Food Security Cluster Coordinator for preparedness will build the advance readiness of country teams; support governments in their preparedness plans; and will strengthen the collective ability to respond during a crisis, when conditions deteriorate, or new shocks occur. To ensure that the in-country coordination structures are adequately equipped with the skills and expertise needed, the roving Food Security Cluster Coordinator for Preparedness will avail its experience, partnerships networks, and resources to national governments, regional institutions, and partners. The Roving Food Security Cluster Coordinator for preparedness will work impartially with all members of the Food Security Cluster (FSC) and represent all members of the group equally, and as a whole.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The roving Cluster Coordinator for preparedness will be deployed up to 80% of the time to enhance preparedness plans to respond to anticipated increased needs in selected countries or regions.

Specific tasks will depend on the country context / crisis, but will generally include the below.

1. Build the advance readiness of country teams; support governments in their preparedness plans; as well as strengthen the collective ability to respond during a crisis, when conditions deteriorate or new shocks occur.
2. Work closely with governments and technical FS focal points to enhance coordination capacity and preparedness systems.
3. Build the capacity of nationally led clusters for rapid, better, targeted and well-coordinated food security response and planning as well as fill specific gaps and provide tailored support in times of crisis (e.g. cyclone season in the Pacific and Asia).
4. Build capacity for disaster preparedness augmentation, capacity strengthening and emergency contingency activities.
5. Improve coordination among national disaster management offices and partners at the national and regional levels.
6. Support in reviewing existing national or regional disaster management protocols and develop Standard Operating Procedures for food security preparedness for emergency response, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for national and international actors.
7. Avail expertise and experience, partnerships networks, and resources to national governments, regional institutions and partners, with the aim to improve food security data analysis as well as response design, coordination and implementation.
8. Develop capacity building initiatives (trainings -collective and one-on-one, webinars, etc.) specifically on preparedness to the governments and FSC members, when capacity gaps and needs are identified.
9. Develop tools and written guidance, compilation of lessons learned and good practices, SOPs.
10. Implement remote support – helpdesk function when needed.
11. When not deployed, the roving Cluster Coordinator for preparedness will coordinate and plan cluster strategies, focusing on contingency planning and preparedness to build national and FSC members capacity in relevant areas.
12. Develop and inform on preparedness within the FSC reporting products (sitreps, bulletins, newsletters, etc.) as/when appropriate.
13. Undertake advocacy on behalf of the FSC partners in a neutral and impartial manner.
14. Any other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced university degree in food security, agriculture, economics, humanitarian affairs or related field.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of professional experience in humanitarian response at a mid or senior level. Experience in food security related topics is mandatory and experience with inter-agency coordination is desirable.

Training material preparation and training delivery experience is desirable.

Technical/Functional Skills:

1. Availability to be deployed;
2. Ability to work and plan at both operational and strategic level;
3. Understanding of the international humanitarian response architecture, including humanitarian principles, coordination mechanisms, humanitarian reform and action, and funding mechanisms.
4. Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context.
5. Ability to express and summarise ideas orally and in writing in a diplomatic and inclusive manner;
6. Ability to interact with a number of different stakeholders and represent the FSC in strategic meetings and discussions;
7. Ability to lead workshops, meetings and to present outcomes on behalf of a group of stakeholders.

Languages:

Proficiency in English; knowledge of another UN language is required (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish).

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: 8 January 2024

Ref.: VA No. 830729

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: wfp.org