Head of Technical Support Division (Agronomy) P4 – Abidjan, Ivory Coast

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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.

Are you a seasoned food security specialist 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 organisation 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.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications must be submitted by Sunday, July 30th, 2023 (11:59 PM CET).

WHO WE ARE

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, operating 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.

WHY JOIN US?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of trainings, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section)

THE ROLE AND ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The African Risk Capacity is a Specialised Agency of the African Union established in 2012 as an African-owned index-based weather risk insurance that provides African countries with tools and products to quantify and manage disaster risk. ARC offers a comprehensive, integrated solution that transfers weather risk away from governments and the vulnerable households they protect, to ARC. This enables governments to build resilience and better plan, prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.

ARC Agency established its first financial affiliate, ARC Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd.) in 2013 as a sovereign risk pool in the form of a mutual insurer owned by member governments. Whereas the ARC Agency provides capacity-building services to Member States in risk profiling, contingency planning, and monitoring and evaluation; ARC Ltd. issues weather insurance policies to governments. It uses ARC’s risk modelling and early warning software platform Africa RiskView to estimate the impact of weather events on vulnerable populations. In addition, it also estimates the response costs required to assist them before a hazard season begins and as it progresses. This ensures that index-based insurance pay-outs, based on predictions from Africa RiskView, are triggered at or before harvest time if the rains are poor or as soon as a severe flood or cyclone has occurred.

Under the supervision of the ARC Director for Research and Development, the Head of the Technical Support Division will be responsible for managing the activities of the ARC Secretariat Technical Support Division (TSD), including the services provided to the in-country technical working groups (TWGs) and, as an analyst, for guiding and supporting the technical activities of both the TWGs and the Secretariat.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Manage the Technical Support Division’s day-to-day operations and staff and prioritise the Division’s workload given country demand of technical services as and when required to ensure high-quality core business and service delivery to in-country TWGs working towards or participating in the ARC insurance pool, ARC staff and other partners;
• Supervise and guide the Africa RiskView (ARV) customisation and validation work, including:

• Coordinate and organise activities and in-country support so that work is completed on time and to a high-level, with timely support provided to the in-country TWGs to finalise annual ARV customization and validation reports and ensure consistency and quality of the information provided;
• Implement systems to support and check the data analysis, customisation and validation of Africa RiskView by the TSD and the in-country TWGs and ensure consistency, accuracy, feedback and improvement into future insurance pools;
• Conduct country-level customisation and validation work where required and guide and train TSD staff in the same;
• Manage the further development and improvement of the Africa RiskView training material and country training programme and conduct country-level training where required;
• In coordination with the Country Engagement Managers (CEMs), ensure the TSD liaises with the right government technicians, relevant in-country partners and the ARC in-country TWG focal points, and where necessary helps Government Coordinators develop and manage these constructive working relationships;
• Ensure final work is documented and stored on the institutional cloud or shared drive and SOPs are updated and maintained;

• Review ARV customisation reports for countries and sign off of final parameters selected;
• Lead the refinement of the Africa RiskView model through synthesising and implementing findings of the in-country customisation and validation work – identifying gaps and additional research and analysis where required and managing and contributing to the technical work to fill those gaps;
• Explore and support opportunities to involve external parties in the refinement, development and sustainability of Africa RiskView as a tool and system of record for Africa, and ensure such collaborations are incorporated into TSD work;
• Maintain oversight over development of ARV functionalities pertaining to TSD activities, including the related manuals and documentation, to ensure development is on track for and meets ARC’s needs and that versions are tested by the TSD before release ;
• In collaboration with the Research and Development Department, lead the TSD in contributing to the development of new Africa RiskView products (e.g. flood, cyclone) for Member States;
• Monitor and oversee the writing and distribution of technical monthly bulletins, special reports, ARV-related pages on the ARC website and other knowledge products;
• Contribute to the dialogue on risk transfer parameter selection and support the ARC Secretariat in its discussions with countries on risk transfer;
• Provide technical and quantitative support to the ARC studies/think-pieces, new research and development initiatives and special projects, and other ARC programmes as required;
• Advise senior ARC managers in the recruitment of the staff for the TSD and on the composition of in-country TWGs;
• Represent the ARC Secretariat on field missions and conferences, as required;

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY REQUIREMENTS

Education:

You have:

• Advanced University degree (Master’s equivalent) from an accredited academic institution in Economics, Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development, Statistics, or any other related field.

Experience:

You have:

• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in food security and vulnerability analysis or a closely related area, such as agricultural risk management or early warning.

Language:

You have:

Fluency (level C) in the English and French languages is required. Knowledge of another African Union official language (Portuguese or Arabic) would be an asset.

MORE ABOUT YOU

• Progressively responsible supervisory / team leader experience is required.
• International experience including Africa experience is required.
• Availability to undertake frequent travels.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills with reliability, accuracy and problem solving abilities;
• Senior knowledge in one or more of the following areas is required – Food Security analysis, Geographical Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing, agrometeorology and crop modelling;
• Expert user of Microsoft Excel or a more advanced statistical software;
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation and diplomatic skills with the ability to establish effective working relations with people at all levels and of different national and cultural background;
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks under tight deadlines in a timely manner in a dynamic environment;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French, including the ability to present coherent and convincing analysis to various audiences, both internal and external to ARC.
• Knowledge of another African Union official language (Portuguese or Arabic) would be an asset.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Different expectations of behaviour are defined depending on your grade and role/responsibilities within WFP.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed term 2 years (renewable) non-rotational contract.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org) including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.

The position will be based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Depending on when the successful candidate joins, there may be a transitional period to be based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The selected candidate will be expected to relocate accordingly.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable)
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at wfprecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through 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 lead to disqualification or termination of employment.

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

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