Head of Field Office, Deir Ezzor, Syria (CST2)
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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.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
All applications should be received no later than Monday 12th September 2022
CONTRACT TYPE AND DURATION
Eligibility: Non-Syrian nationals
Type of Contract: Consultant Level 2
Contract Duration: 11 months
Duty Station: Deir Ezzor, Syria
Number of employees required: 1
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 lifetime. 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. In 2020, WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to fight hunger globally, including its work during the coronavirus pandemic.
In Syria, WFP provides food assistance to more than 4.6 million people each month. This includes families who require emergency assistance when affected by conflict and displacement and also those who need help to improve their nutrition and food security. WFP supports children across Syria with healthy meals and snacks at school, mothers with nutritious diets, and families and communities with sustainable livelihood projects.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
This position will be based in Deir Ezzor, Syria. The job holder will report directly to the Deputy Country Director (Operations).
JOB PURPOSE
To lead and manage the Deir Ezzor Field Office to ensure the effective and efficient management of human and financial resources and delivery of WFP programs and activities. Additionally, the role will focus 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 CO initiatives, policies and strategies.
3. Effectively manage the Field 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 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).
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 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.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
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 six years or more of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience formulating and managing programme strategies in humanitarian, transition and development contexts, drawing upon the full range of food assistance tools, and translating them into implementation modalities and operations. Experience leading teams and improving performance.
Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English. Working knowledge of Arabic desirable
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
• 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 skills.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The contract offered provides a competitive base salary and favorable conditions such as medical insurance, flexible working arrangements, Rest & Recuperation and Danger Pay allowance currently in place at the Duty station.
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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.
