Budget & Programming Consultant, CST Level 2, Regional Bureau Dakar

🚩 Vacancy Announcement n°: 725729

📢 Job Title: Budget & Programming Consultant, Regional Bureau Dakar

✨ Grade: Consultancy level 2

📧 Duration: 11 months (renewable subject to performance and availability of funds)

✅ Unit / Division: Budget and Programming

📍 Duty Station: Regional Bureau Dakar, Senegal

⏰ Closing date: 15 April 2023

THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR MORE APPLICATIONS

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.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance. Female Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, operates in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger. 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: UN World Food Programme (WFP), and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the United Nations’ frontline humanitarian agency addressing hunger and malnutrition worldwide. Each year, on average, WFP provides food assistance to more than 90 million people in over 80 countries.

The Budget and Programming Function within the Dakar Regional (RBD) supports 20 countries in the areas of Resource Planning, Analysis and Management. The RBD Budget and Programming Unit (BPU) has invested in streamlining tools, processes, and reports over the past few years, in order to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the management of resources at Country Office level.

While corporate systems and tools enhancements are ongoing, there continues to be a need to streamline these, to enable systematic data analysis and presentation of information to both the Country Offices as well as to stakeholders within the Regional Bureau. There is also a need to continuously develop & strengthen skills and knowledge on the key corporate principles at the cross-functional level, in line with the dynamic functional learning and development agenda in the region.

The purpose of this consultancy is to secure the resources required to:

• Support regional data analysis for systematic/periodic information sharing at a regional level to strengthen cross-functional collaboration, advice, and decision-making, particularly with the Programme, Supply Chain, Partnership functions, as well as Regional Bureau Management.
• Further, develop the support capacity of the function through tailor-made analysis & information sharing in line with the unit’s objective to act as a trusted advisor.
• Contribute to the development of a functional learning and development agenda for the region with a clear roadmap.
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of learning and development initiatives for the Budget and Programming function in the region.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Under the general supervision of the Senior Budget and Programming Officer, the direct supervision of the Regional Budget and Programming Officer, and in close collaboration with the whole BPU team as well as other functions where required, the consultant will have these key responsibilities:

• Coordinate data analysis efforts and innovatively develop reports, to meet varying requirements and enable informed decision-making, ensuring consistency of information presented to senior management and external stakeholders.

• Identify opportunities to develop and improve systems, techniques, tools, processes and procedures to better monitor, manage and report on WFP budgets and resources.
• Perform regular analysis of regional data for the preparation of periodic reports and presentations.
• Prepare comprehensive presentations, data analysis/compilations and records for consultative and decision-making forums (e.g., RMC, regional functional meetings, etc.) and further enhance cross-functional cooperation and support to COs.
• Contribute to defining a comprehensive functional learning and development agenda for the region addressing both capacity strengthening needs for Budget & programming staff in the region as well as for staff from other functions.
• Contribute to and support training initiatives for COs and RB units.
• Support the sharing of best practices for the function in the region based on the collection, collation, and analysis of available information.
• Contribute to the piloting of process /system improvements and coordination efforts related to Budget and Programming and cross-functional work.
• Contribute to the development of standards around pipeline clearance, discuss resource availability and allocations, and where appropriate make recommendations to manage severe shortfalls and enable decision-making at the country office.
• Participate in meetings with internal and external stakeholders to discuss the utilization of incoming contributions, as well as support the process of developing funding proposals.
• Review the functioning of Country Office Resource Management Committees (RMCs) with the view to enhance quality and standardize the approach used by the different Country Offices.
• Advise COs and spending units on complex programming requests and the utilization of funds (appropriateness, timeliness, accuracy, etc.) while proactively engaging fund managers and/or activity managers to implement recommendations and possible corrective actions that enable reporting against original budgets and approved funding proposals.
• Support or coordinate the preparation of interim, progress and final reports as stipulated in various contribution agreements between WFP and specific donors, particularly as required.
• Contribute to monitoring ongoing performance against budget for WFP operations, including Global Commodity Management Facility or corridor management, through various financial analyses and provide sound advice on budgetary adjustments as necessary to budget owners for optimal resource utilization and in adherence to available guidance and policies.

• Contribute to the development and documentation of internal business processes, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training packages Budget and Programming.
• Perform other relevant duties as required.

Education:

You have

Advanced university degree (Master's degree equivalent, BAC+4/5) (recognized by https://www.whed.net/home.php) in Business Administration, Statistics, Finance, Economics or another relevant field, or First University degree (Bachelor's degree equivalent, Licence/BAC +3) with additional years of related work experience or trainings/courses. Additional professional training in project management, statistical analysis and/or operational planning and management is desirable.

Should you not find your university degree in this link kindly note that it will be your responsibility to obtain a formal letter from your Ministry of Education stating their recognition of the university and degree

Experience:

You have:

At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional postgraduate (Master’s) experience in the area of operations management, Resource Planning, Utilisation and Management.

Languages:

Fluency (level C in reading, writing and speaking) in English and at least level B in French.

You have developed the following Experiences, Knowledge & Skills:

• Prior experience in Resource or Supply Chain Management, including but not limited to Analysis, Planning, Information sharing, etc
• Experience with managing data from Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP
• Experience with data analytics and insight generation required
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Microsoft Power Bi
• Prior WFP experience is an advantage
• Advanced computer applications skills and ability to develop and/or upgrade excel based tools (Database).
• Solid writing skills, to communicate summaries and recommendations
• Sound analytical abilities and strong presentation skills to produce standard, digestible, and reader-friendly information for internal and external stakeholders, tailoring presentations per the audience
• Deadline and results-oriented
• Self-motivated and proactive; able to take initiative and work autonomously to achieve objectives
• Ability to interact with managers and a wide range of stakeholders with professionalism and tact
• Fully committed and motivated to achieve the aims of the World Food Programme

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Various systematic report packages for both RB and CO audiences.
• Harmonized training packages for the BPO community in the region as well as for other functions as needed.
• Training delivered to various audiences
• Periodic RBD RMC package
• Standard Operating Procedures as needed

Deadline for application: 15th April 2023

WFP Value Proposition

• Meaningful and impactful careers – Our day-to-day work makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve.
• Continuous learning and training – We provide learning tools for our staff to continually develop their careers.
• Multicultural and stimulating working environment – We encourage gender and cultural diversity to make our teams stronger.

All employment decisions are made based on organisational 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, Join 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.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply. WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance

Special Notice on WFP RBD office relocation:

WFP and other UN Agencies will be moving to the new United Nations House, presently under construction in Diamniadio, 30 kilometres from downtown Dakar. The name of the duty station for this position will remain Dakar, Senegal.

Special recommendation:

Before you apply, please confirm that both (i) your on-line profile and CV are accurate and up to date, (ii) your CV should include your employment history, academic qualifications, and language skills.

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