Back Consultant Head of Field office

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS27 April 2025-23:59-GMT+01:00 West Africa Standard Time (Bangui)

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 World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP?

• 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 training, 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 the 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 of this vacancy announcement).

  The position is in the Field Offices and reports to the Country/Deputy Country Director.
  
  JOB PURPOSE: To lead and manage a WFP Field Office to ensure the effective and efficient management of human and financial resources and delivery of WFP programs and activities. A large emphasis is placed upon building and maintaining relationships with local governments, UN agencies and other partners in the area to reinforce WFP’s visibility.

  • Manage and and lead WFP field operations within the area of assignment to ensure timely and effective deployment of food assistance programmes.
  • Hold accountability for the deployment of CO initiatives, policies and strategies. Effectively manage the Field Office to ensure transparent and efficient people management and the continued development of a cohesive and high performing team.
  • Ensure efficient use of financial resources for achievement of set objectives. 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).
  • 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).
  • Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems and conduct timely monitoring and evaluation activities.
  • Hold accountability and/or prepare accurate and comprehensive analysis and reports on WFP operations and performance with regular and timely submission for Area/Country Office review to identify programme support requirements and inform operational planning and decisions.
  • Forge and nurture external partnerships to improve assistance packages and support complementary strategies; identify potential areas for collaborative approaches and initiatives.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Other as required.

    Strategy & Planning:

    Applies strong understanding of key nationale and international socio-political issues and the complexity and range of WFP programmes to plan and oversee implementation of programmes in area of responsibility, coordinating and monitoring to ensure effective fulfilment of the area’s needs.

    Operations:

    Utilises strong understanding of programme and logistics activities to direct efficient and effective implementation and builds proposals for improvements in operations. Has broad understanding of contextual factors to proactively identify any issues with delivery of food aid and food assistance.

    Resource :

    Applies expert interpersonal skills to build strategic relationships with partners which support fundraising. Leverages understanding of WFP financials and fundraising efforts to contribute to the establishment of the relevant area’s bud

    get, and directs delivery against overall resource needs, aligning staffing, budgets and other resources with mission critical operations.

    Diplomacy:

    Applies negotiation, networking and diplomacy skills to develop, nurture and sustain mutually beneficial external partnerships with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, civil societies, UN agencies, donors, beneficiaries and other partners/ media engaged in the field of food security, to improve assistance packages.

    Collaborates with governments and other partners to identify opportunities for food assistance programmes in-line with WFP’s strategic aims locally and negotiates the optimal approach to delivery against these.

    DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE :

    • Has developed, or supported in the development of, multi-discipline work plans to support the achievement of WFP strategic aims within a defined area.
    • Has gained experience in field operations, preferably in a hardship duty station or emergency situation.
    • Has field experience via field rotations or working in a sub-office, and through field postings.
    • Gained experience of analysing political situations, assessing risk accurately and supporting managers and leaders in decision making that is sensitive to this.
    • Gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme etc.)
    • Has gained experience managing mid-size financial budgets, balancing multiple priorities effectively.
    • Has experience leading a mid-size to large team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
    • Participated in a vendor/government/ partner negotiation in support of broad function or Country Office requirements.
    • Participated in a moderately complex emergency operation/ development programme.
    • Has experience with security co-ordination and compound management within a mid-size area.

      STANDARD MINIMUM ACADEMIC 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.

      📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

      ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

      Language:

      Fluency (level C) in French language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of English.

      WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

      WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

      Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

      REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

      WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org

      NO FEE DISCLAIMER

      The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

      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 global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

      • Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

        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.