Special Assistant to the Director of Emergencies, Emergencies Division

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, physical or mental disability.

Job Title: Special Assistant to the Director of Emergencies, Emergencies Division

Type of Contract: Consultancy

Division: Emergency Operations Division

Duty Station (City, Country): Rome HQ, Italy

Duration: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The World Food Programme’s (WFP) Emergency Operations Division (EME) keeps WFP’s Regional Bureaus, Country Offices and partners prepared to respond to any humanitarian emergency across the globe. The Division supports emergency field operations by coordinating and ensuring adequate resources, capacities and alliances in place to alert, prepare and respond to current and future emergencies. With unprecedented crises escalating, efficient and timely emergency interventions are increasingly crucial.

his requires an effective, efficient, and agile management of resources through a holistic, comprehensive, and proactive approach and a sound and efficient budget and financial management, from planning to monitoring and reporting.

The Special Assistant to the Director of Emergencies will provide a wide range of technical and professional support to ensure that the Director of Emergencies is fully prepared to engage in substantive issues related to her broad corporate responsibilities, both with internal and external stakeholders.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Leading the review and provide substantial input to matters presented to the DoE for consultation, clearance, or decision, applying a broad operational and programmatic perspective.
2. Taking the lead in actively engage and build relationships with managers in the Division and broader organization, to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge and expertise and clarifying priorities of the DoE, anticipating, and resolving managerial and administrative impediments, acting as an adviser to senior management in EME on critical corporate issues.
3. Collaborate closely with the Deputy Directors and keep them abreast of key developments to ensure timely information flow across senior EME management. Be a resource and thought partner for the EME Heads of Units.
4. Leading the preparation and coordinate input for corporate reporting products, including but not limited to the Annual Performance Plan, Annual Performance Report, Corporate Risk Register, Assurance Statement, and audit and evaluation processes related to EME.
5. Supporting the DoE on both internal and external communications, ensuring all communications meet the highest standards of technical and policy relevant, appropriateness, correctness and timeliness to all clients and collaborators, maintaining the highest reputation for the office of the DoE.
6. Taking the lead in the follow-up of oversight recommendations assigned to the DOE or any of her direct reports. Assess and identify the potential risks that may hinder the reputation, safety, security, and financial prosperity of the Division. Always maintaining confidentiality of information, as appropriate.
7. Undertake special assignments and lead initiatives of strategic importance as requested by Director of Emergencies.
8. Coordinate and work closely with front office staff in the DOE Office

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

University degree in international relations, economics, political science, business administration or related field.

Experience:

At least 5 years of progressive relevant experience, including with governance and coordination mechanisms of both the United Nations system and WFP, field operations and WFP business processes, systems, and normative framework.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills to maintain productive and respectful working relationships with people at all levels, from varying disciplines, and from diverse backgrounds;
• Ability to work accurately at a fast pace and under tight deadlines with a high degree of personal accountability for completed work products;
• Ability to think creatively, proactively, strategically and problem-solve with flexibility;
• Inspires high level of trust through exercise of tact, discretion, judgment, and confidentiality;
• Ability to multitask and manage competing demands effectively and with minimal supervision;
• Writes and speaks clearly, concisely, and effectively for varied purposes and audiences;
• Coordinates and drives progress in processes involving multiple stakeholders and fosters inter- departmental and inter-divisional cooperation;
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite;

Languages:

Fluency in oral and written English with an intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish).

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 5 September 2023

Ref.: VA No. 829138

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.

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