Head of Field Office

Grade: CST/II

Contract Type: Regular Consultant

Duration: 06 months

Unit: Programme

Duty Station/Country: Tulear – Madagascar

Opening date: Le 20 March 2024

Closing date: Le 27 March 2024

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 without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic or social origin, genetic information, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting global hunger. WFP’s mission is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetime. Every day, WFP works around the world to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, especially women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

WFP’S MANDATE AND INTERVENTIONS IN MADAGASCAR

In Madagascar, WFP is supporting the government’s efforts through an assistance strategy to respond to the humanitarian emergency, strengthen community resilience and support sustainable development efforts. In collaboration with government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and UN system partners, WFP, organizes cash or in-kind transfers to meet the food needs of families affected by climatic hazards, provides school meals that promote access to education for girls and boys, supports the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, and provides technical and financial support to groups of small agricultural producers to improve their production and access to the market.

WFP also provides the air transport service, ensuring safe, reliable and cost-effective transport for humanitarian and development actors to other parts of Madagascar.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT: These roles are found in the Field Offices. Job holders report typically report to the Head of Area Office, or the Country/Deputy Country Director.

JOB PURPOSE: To lead and manage a WFP Field Office to ensure the effective and efficient management of human and financial resources and delivery of WFP programs and activities. A large emphasis is placed upon building and maintaining relationships with local governments, UN agencies and other partners in the area to reinforce WFP’s visibility.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Manage and lead WFP field operations within the area of assignment to ensure timely and effective deployment of food assistance programmes.

1. Hold accountability for the deployment of CO initiatives, policies and strategies.
2. Effectively manage the Field Office to ensure transparent and efficient people management and the continued development of a cohesive and high performing team.
3. Ensure efficient use of financial resources for achievement of set objectives.
4. Hold accountability for the security of WFP staff, operations, premises and assets in the Field Office to ensure that WFP security and safety standards are locally set and followed. Actively participate and contribute to the Area Security Management Team (ASMT).
5. Collaborate with governments and other partners in identifying where food assistance can be usefully deployed at the local level and provide support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation and implementation of food assistance programmes, including advice on the context-specific transfer modalities (food, cash or vouchers).
6. Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems and conduct timely monitoring and evaluation activities.
7. Hold accountability and/or prepare accurate and comprehensive analysis and reports on WFP operations and performance with regular and timely submission for Area/Country Office review to identify programme support requirements and inform operational planning and decisions.
8. Forge and nurture external partnerships to improve assistance packages and support complementary strategies; identify potential areas for collaborative approaches and initiatives.
9. Develop and sustain liaison with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, donors, civil society, beneficiaries and other partners and media engaged in the field of food security.
10. Engage with beneficiaries, inspect storage places and points where WFP commodities are received, in order to ensure compliance with WFP policies and that progress is made in the achievement of project objectives.
11. Other as required.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Has developed, or supported in the development of, multi-discipline work plans to support the achievement of WFP strategic aims within a defined area.
• Has gained experience in field operations, preferably in a hardship duty station or emergency situation.
• Has field experience via field rotations or working in a sub-office, and through field postings.
• Gained experience of analysing political situations, assessing risk accurately and supporting managers and leaders in decision making that is sensitive to this.
• Gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme etc.)
• Has gained experience managing mid-size financial budgets, balancing multiple priorities effectively.
• Has experience leading a mid-size to large team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
• Participated in a vendor/government/ partner negotiation in support of broad function or Country Office requirements.
• Participated in a moderately complex emergency operation/ development programme.
• Has experience with security co-ordination and compound management within a mid-size area.

STANDARD MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

Education & Experience:

Advanced University degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or other related field with 5 (five) years of working experience or First University degree with 7 (seven) years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Language:

Fluency (level C) in English and French language.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS: MARCH 27, 2024

QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to behaviors such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of power and discrimination. All selected candidates will be required to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore be subject to rigorous background checks either internally or by the intermediary of 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 result in disqualification or dismissal.

WFP will not seek payment at any stage of the recruitment process, including at the offer stage.