Governance Review Consultant
.
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.
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:
The aim of this consultancy is to undertake a targeted review of current WFP governance frameworks and processes with a view to making recommendations on pragmatic adjustments to enable the Executive Board to provide the best possible strategic advice and support to WFP as it responds to significant and increasing global challenges.
Given that it has been some 20 years since the organization’s original governance frameworks were established between 1999 – 2005, the assignment will assess whether they continue to function optimally, taking into consideration WFP’s current internal and external operating environment. The review should make recommendations for practical ways to improve governance with a focus on those priority areas that optimize board and management time, and enhance efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability.
ACCOUNTABILITIES:
The consultant will be accountable to and receive guidance and direction from a Steering Committee made up of Member State representatives, and administratively located in the Executive Board Secretariat, the successful consultant would:
- Conduct interviews with WFP Member State representatives, members of the Executive Board and Executive Board Bureau, WFP management including Regional Directors, independent offices and the Executive Board Secretariat to identify potential opportunities to further strengthen governance frameworks and processes.
- Use best-practices from other governance models in UN agencies and international organizations to inform opportunities to improve governance efficiency in WFP.
RESPONSABILITIES:
The review will:
- Review of Functions of the Board: Review information-sharing, consultation, consensus-building, and decision-making functions of the Board, and how they are working at present, with a view to making recommendations for possible adjustment to enable the most efficient and effective use of Board and WFP time and foster continued transparency and accountability. This would include attention to setting of the biennial programme of work. This can also usefully include opportunities for the digitization of processes in light of rapidly evolving digital tools.
- Review Processes of the Board: Review the current working methods, consultation and decision-making processes of the Executive Board and its Bureau, providing a cost benefit analysis and recommendations of how they can be improved, not least so space exists for strategic discussions and direction from the Board on priorities that advance the WFP Strategic Plan. This would include a review of the schedule and volume of formal and informal Board meetings, briefings, updates and consultations, and the process for the Board’s review and approval of Country Strategic Plans.
- Assessment of current governance frameworks of the Board as established by the original Governance Group: Assess i) strategy, ii) policy, iii) oversight and iv) accountability and make recommendations on any adjustments that should be considered to facilitate effective governance.
- Review of Roles and Responsibilities: Review the respective roles and responsibilities of those concerned with governance (i.e. the Executive Board, its Bureau, permanent representatives and the WFP Secretariat), as well as the relationships of the Board with its advisory bodies (the ACABQ, the FAO Finance Committee and the Independent Oversight Advisory Committee) as well as the Joint Inspection Unit as an external oversight body of the UN system, to provide recommendations to ensure clarity in support of good governance.
DELIVERABLES AND MILESTONES:
At a minimum, the Consultant is expected to provide:
- Inception report: An initial work plan and description of methodology.
- Mid-term progress report: Preliminary findings and status of Review
- Final report: Provide an analytical report to the Steering Committee with a set of practical options/ recommendations to improve governance and functioning of the Board.
- A series of effective communication presentations to key stakeholders on analytical work and key recommendations.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education: Advanced university degree in Economics, International Relations, Social Sciences or other relevant area.
Experience: Fifteen years or more (of which six international) of senior level experience in a relevant field of work with an internationally recognized background in governance matters in large international organizations as well as international humanitarian and development assistance. Extensive experience in advising international organizations and Boards in good governance frameworks, models and practices. Extensive experience working with multicultural teams, including UN agencies and improving their performance.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Broad knowledge of diverse multilateral/ international organization governance, humanitarian assistance and development practices with areas of leading technical expertise including evaluation and assessment. A track record of dealing with and influencing at the highest levels including with Member State representatives and senior management officials in large, multilateral organizations. Demonstrated ability to assimilate and analyze complex issues to develop relevant, practical and implementable recommendations on governance issues. Detailed understanding of business principals and processes and the ability to quickly assimilate UN/ WFP specific governance processes and systems.
LANGUAGE:
- Fluency in spoken and written English
- Ability to communicate in other official UN languages *Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language) is a strong asset.
LOCATION/DURATION:
Location: Rome, Italy
Duration: 4 months
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
25 October 2022
.
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.
