Head of Sub Office, Consultant – II (Re-advertiseD) -Jijiga, Ethiopia

ABOUT WFP

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

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Jijiga Sub Office is the largest in WFP Somali region covering 50% of the operation. WFP Ethiopia is proposing to deploy a Consultant to lead the transformation of the Jijiga Sub Office from the current heavily humanitarian posture towards self-reliance and livelihood expansion. Jijiga Sub Office has the highest potential to be re-oriented in this trajectory as it has the longest and most reliable rainfall season in the Somali Region, a large population base and a market-oriented/ready community. An experienced and highly qualified candidate is required to capitalize on these advantages to lead and accelerate this transformation process. Additionally, the candidate will lead and manage the Sub Office to ensure effective and efficient management of human and financial resources and delivery of WFP programs and activities. A large emphasis will be placed on building and maintaining relationships with local governments, UN agencies and other partners in the area to reinforce WFP’s visibility.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Manage and lead WFP field operations within the area of assignment to ensure timely and effective deployment of food assistance programmes.
2. Hold accountability for the deployment of Country Office initiatives, policies and strategies.
3. Effectively manage the Sub Office to ensure transparent and efficient people management and the continued development of a cohesive and high performing team.
4. Ensure efficient use of financial resources for achievement of set objectives.
5. Hold accountability for the security of WFP staff, operations, premises and assets in the Sub 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).
6. 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).
7. Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems and conduct timely monitoring and evaluation activities.
8. 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.
9. Forge and nurture external partnerships to improve assistance packages and support complementary strategies; identify potential areas for collaborative approaches and initiatives.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Other as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

•  Advanced University degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or other related field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses

Experience:

• Minimum five years or more of relevant postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian, transition and development contexts.
• Experience leading teams and improving performance.

Knowledge & Skills required:

• Knowledge of diverse humanitarian assistance and development practices.
• Good understanding of project lifecycle, humanitarian principles and tools, programmes and transfer modalities.
• Familiarity with planning and implementing humanitarian assistance, development and capacity building programmes at national or sub-national level.
• Ability to explain strategies and projects to field counterparts and communicate with local governments and partners clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to provide technical advice, or mobilise technical expertise, on a range of programmatic, operational and support areas.
• Ability to lead, coach and motivate teams for efficient and effective delivery of results.
• Ability to assimilate and analyse complex issues using independent judgment and anticipate potential strategic impact.
• Negotiation and motivational skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels within and beyond the organisation.
• Good understanding of business principles and processes and the ability to quickly assimilate UN/WFP specific processes and systems.
• Ability to cope with situations which may threaten health or safety.
• Tact and ability to work harmoniously with people of different national and cultural background.
• Resourcefulness, initiative and problem-solving skill

Language:

• Fluency (level C) in English language

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.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

20 AUGUST 2023