Supply Chain Officer (Country Capacity Strengthening), CST II, Dhaka, Bangladesh

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WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply. WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Job Title: Supply Chain Officer (Country Capacity Strengthening) Grade: CST Level 2 Type of contract: International Consultancy Duration: 06 months Duty Station: Dhaka Number of position: 1 Date of Publication: 23 January 2024 Deadline of Application: 05 February 2024 This vacancy announcement is NOT for Bangladeshi Nationals.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. For more on WFP and what we do, please go to http://www.wfp.org/videos/zero-hunger

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Supply Chain Unit in Bangladesh is led by an International Professional Head of Supply Chain based in Dhaka. The team is primarily divided between the Country Office (CO) and Cox’s Bazar with limited presence in Chittagong and Bhasan Char.

JOB PURPOSE

At the moment, this is a one-man team with support from local team with regard to understand the local context of the assignment and facilitating the local communications with the Government of Bangladesh.

It is important to acknowledge the early stage of the intervention and it is anticipated to have a substantial amount of groundwork by this position, involving close collaboration with the government, extensive follow-ups within their supply chain, and visits to various of their projects.

This role is expected to design SC CS programmes based on the Government of Bangladesh priorities primarily on food systems. He/She will be based in Dhaka and directly reporting to the Head of Supply Chain.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Leading Supply Chain Country Capacity Strengthening engagements:

1. Lead WFP SC CCS (Country Capacity Strengthening) efforts on (i) identifying where capacity strengthening approaches can be usefully employed; (ii) jointly with national actors formulating a capacity outcome statement (COS) tailored to the national context and strategies; and (iii) carry out key components of the capacity strengthening toolkit (e.g., stakeholder mapping, capacity needs mapping, entry-point identification and implementation, etc.).
2. Fostering strong relationships with national counterparts through transparent communication and support in defining, designing, and leading engagements that contribute to national actor self-sufficiency and strengthened supply chain systems.
3. Desk review of national policy and regulatory framework documents related to national supply chain systems, and of internal documents such as evaluation reports, research and WFP corporate guidance.
4. Conduct/facilitate SC CCS missions in the country for overall CCS rollout, Capacity Needs Mapping and/or sensitizing/training CO staff for CCS.
5. Lead efforts that aim to support the Government of Bangladesh to plan and implement supply chain operations for timely, cost-effective delivery of commodities and services. Apply an integrated / cross-functional approach, supporting all core activities in close cooperation with Strategic Objective and Activity managers.

Cross-functional collaboration and integration:

1. Collaborate with non-SC units (school feeding, social protection, nutrition, etc.) to ensure that supply chain capacity strengthening efforts in cross-functional domains
2. are undertaken holistically, to identify opportunities for synergies, and so that capacity strengthening approaches, methodologies and monitoring are consistent across the organisation.
3. Provide project management support to specific and defined country capacity strengthening programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
4. Proactively provide strategic guidance to CO management as they develop the institutional capacity strengthening aspects of their five-year Country Strategic Plans (CSPs) to: ensure capacity strengthening approaches are clearly and appropriately articulated and aligned with WFP’s corporate Theory of Change; actively promote cross functional collaboration so that supply chain strengthening perspectives are prominent in documentation (CSPs / Activity workplans); and are supported by appropriate resource mobilisation proposals.
5. Contribute to the formulation and review of Annual Country Reports and ensure that SC CCS activities are adequately represented by “telling the story”, and highlighting how WFP Supply Chain has contributed to strengthened national supply chain capacities.
6. Proactively provide strategic guidance to CO management as they develop the institutional capacity strengthening aspects of their five-year Country Strategic Plans (CSPs) to: ensure capacity strengthening approaches are clearly and appropriately articulated and aligned with WFP’s corporate Theory of Change; actively promote cross functional collaboration so that supply chain strengthening perspectives are prominent in documentation (CSPs / Activity workplans); and are supported by appropriate resource mobilisation proposals.

Evidence generation and knowledge management:

1. Manage the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical CCS reports, publications, and a variety of information products or proposals for internal or external use.
2. Establish and maintain a SC CCS online knowledge repository to ensure that available knowledge, experience and lessons learned is shared and available.
3. Contribute/Lead efforts to monitor and evaluate how WFP Supply Chain contributes to strengthened national supply chain capacities.

Resource mobilization:

1. Contribute to resources mobilisation efforts for WFP CCS projects, including clearly articulating the need for CCS and related programme opportunities, and follow up on the resource situation of projects, seeking advice from senior colleagues where necessary.
2. Plan and raise resources to maximize effectiveness of country office operations. Conduct further fundraising activities/ financial analysis and budget reviews, drawing out insights and recommendations – for both WFP and relevant government institutions – to ensure multi-year support is achievable/sustainable.

Partnerships:

1. Review existing food systems coordination mechanisms including food supply chain coordination platforms (teams, task forces, working groups) and key stakeholders’ engagement and challenges, and opportunities.
2. Identify key stakeholders supporting the Government in the implementation of its national food systems agenda, and review their mandates, role, strategic and programme documents in order to assess potential gaps and opportunities for WFP’s engagement.
3. Build and maintain productive partnerships with key counterparts amongst government (such as Ministry of Food and/or Directorate General of Food) and other national organizations, UN agencies, NGOs and private sector to share operational knowledge contributing to coordinated and cost-effective supply chain operations.
4. Facilitate stakeholder consultations at national and subnational level with representatives from identified key ministries and agencies to understand their priorities, plans, and areas of required support or collaboration relevant for WFP.
5. Undertake stakeholder consultations at national level with non-governmental players such as key UN agencies (FAO and IFAD), and possibly from the World Bank, ADB, selected donors, academia, and public and private sector entities.
6. Identify opportunities for WFP to fill gaps in national food supply chain systems as part of sustainable food systems, complementing other players. This would include a summary of potential areas of engagement with government ministries that have shown interest in collaborating, and with the private sector, civil society, and academia to advance on the multi-sector and -stakeholder food systems agenda. WFP’s comparative advantage to contribute with leverage for quality and/or scale should be highlighted in each opportunity.

Human Resources:

1. Provide technical (capacity strengthening) support, aimed at enhancing the skillsets of SC staff in WFP’s capacity strengthening approaches, methodologies, tools and monitoring frameworks, such that they are competent and comfortable in roles as a mentor / guide / facilitator to a national counterpart institution(s).
2. Build capacity of CO technical focal points across the ten engagement areas, such as Logistics, FSQ (Food Quality & Safety) and EPR ( Emergency Preparedness and Response) on enhancing the CCS approach and activities in relevant technical domains.
3. Advise and support the development of functional training in areas of expertise to enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners to design and deliver effective SC CCS programmes.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master’s degree in supply chain management and logistics, economics, agricultural economics, sustainable food systems, development or related field; or a different focus of studies with long-time experience in supply chain.

Languages: Fluency (level C) in English language.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent understanding of supply chain management both in the commercial and humanitarian field in the context of strengthening the national (food, social or emergency) systems
• Excellent understanding of social protection, disaster and climate risk management within the context of strengthening food systems
• Excellent understanding of WFP’s mandate, food systems and supply chain policies, strategies, and programming
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent professional communication skills and ability to summarize huge amounts of information and synthesize the main points
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Advocacy and networking skills with a broad range of stakeholders including government, private sector, civil society, academia, NGOs and development partners
• Advanced computer skills with proficiency in Windows, Microsoft Office
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams
• Tact and diplomacy

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

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• With 5 years of relevant progressively responsible experience in government capacity strengthening
• Experience with policy analysis and strategic planning processes
• Work experience with WFP and/or other UN agencies involved in food supply chain and food systems in development contexts, preferably in Asia
• Work experience with international organizations, donors, foundations, national governments, and private sector
• Experience with multi-stakeholder consultations or processes

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Monday, 05 February 2024 (Midnight Bangladesh time)

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.