Food Systems Specialist

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 or disability.

Are you interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organization investing in its people?

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you!!! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

JOB PURPOSE:

The primary objective of this position is to provide strategic leadership and management for WFP’s Strategic Outcome 3 of the current Country Strategic Plan, that: Rural vulnerable populations and local institutions engage in nutrition and gender-sensitive, sustainable and climate-resilient food systems throughout the year. The role involves ensuring effective coordination, implementation, and scaling up of initiatives that strengthen value chains and market linkages and requires extensive collaboration with government bodies, private sector partners, NGOs, and other UN agencies to foster high-level partnerships and secure sustainable food systems.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

Strategic Leadership and Management:

• Lead the development and implementation of the climate-resilient food systems programming, ensuring alignment with WFP’s overall objectives and country-specific needs.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight for all climate-resilient food systems projects and initiatives, ensuring effective project management and timely delivery of results.
• Manage and mentor a diverse team of professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.

Budget and Resource Management:

• Oversee the preparation, management, and monitoring of budgets within the climate-resilient food systems food systems portfolio, ensuring optimal utilization of resources and adherence to financial guidelines.
• Identify funding opportunities and jointly with the Partnership team, lead resource mobilization efforts, including proposal development and donor engagement.
• Ensure financial accountability and transparency in all climate-resilient food systems operations.

Value Chains and Market Linkages:

• Provide technical leadership on value chain development, ensuring that WFP’s interventions enhance the efficiency, inclusiveness, and resilience of value chains.
• Promote market linkages by facilitating connections between producers, processors, and markets, improving access to local, regional, and international markets.
• Conduct market analysis and value chain assessments to inform program design and implementation.

Partnership Development and Coordination:

• Establish and maintain high-level partnerships with government agencies, private sector entities, NGOs, and other UN agencies.
• Represent WFP in relevant forums, working groups, and coordination bodies, advocating for integrated and sustainable climate-resilient food systems approaches.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between WFP and key stakeholders to enhance program impact and sustainability.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Management:

• Lead capacity-building initiatives for WFP staff, partners, and stakeholders, enhancing their understanding and skills in sustainable climate-resilient food systems development.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices within WFP and the broader food systems community.
• Ensure the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned from sustainable climate-resilient food systems projects and initiatives.

Policy and Advocacy:

• Contribute to the development and advocacy of policies and strategies that promote sustainable and resilient food systems.
• Engage in policy dialogues with national and international stakeholders to influence food systems policies and practices.
• Provide technical advice and support to government counterparts in formulating and implementing food systems policies.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Support the development and implement robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact and effectiveness of interventions under supervision of this post.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting on program progress, challenges, and achievements to donors, partners, and WFP management.
• Utilize data and evidence to inform decision-making, program adjustments, and strategic planning.

Other Responsibilities as Required:

• Coordination and Support: Provide support to other WFP initiatives and programs as needed, ensuring a cohesive and integrated approach to food security and nutrition.
• Representation: Act as the focal point for WFP food systems initiatives in relevant meetings, conferences, and events.
• Reporting and Documentation: Contribute to the preparation of reports, briefings, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ad Hoc Projects: Lead or participate in special projects and initiatives that advance WFP’s mission and objectives in food systems development.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for improving program efficiency and effectiveness and implement changes as appropriate.
• Other as requested.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Progressive responsible experience in food systems, value chains, market linkages, and partnership management.
• Management Experience: Proven experience in managing teams, budgets, and complex projects.
• Partnerships: Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining high-level partnerships with government, private sector, NGOs, and/or other UN agencies.
• Technical Skills: Strong expertise in value chain development, market analysis, and food systems.

STANDARD MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

University degree in Agricultural Economics, Food Security, International Development, Business Administration, or related fields.

Advanced title will be considered an asset.

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in English language and Spanish (duty station language).

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at [email protected]. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

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.