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.
WFP works with a range of actors to deliver efficient, effective and equitable assistance, including through provision of quality assessments based on evidence-based analysis to inform policy, program and initiatives at the national, governorate and district levels in Syria. Syria has been suffering from a prolonged crisis since 2011, which has damaged its economy and social fabric severely. Protracted crisis and economic collapse have further exposed the Syrians to food insecurity and eroded their livelihoods.
The WFP Office in Deir Ezzor has been established in 2018 to ensure access to beneficiaries living in the eastern portion of Syria.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Head of Deir Ezzor Field Office will be under the direct supervision and report to the Deputy Country Director, Operations, based in Damascus.
JOB PURPOSE
To lead and manage the Deir Ezzor Field Office to ensure the effective and efficient management of human and financial resources and delivery of WFP programs and activities. Additionally, the role will focus on building and maintaining relationships with local governments, UN agencies and other partners in the area to reinforce WFP’s visibility.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
- Manage and lead WFP field operations within the area of assignment to ensure timely and effective deployment of food assistance programmes.
- Manage a large team with several direct supervisees while ensuring wider management of professional dynamics in a complex duty station.
- 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 Country Office review to identify program 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.
- Others as required.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Advanced University degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or other related field, or First University degree with two additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
Experience:
- Knowledge of diverse humanitarian assistance and development practices.
- Good understanding of project lfecycle, humanitarian principles and tools, programmes and transfer modalities.
- Familiarity with planning and implementing humanitarian assistance, development and capacity building programmes at national or sub-national level.
- Ability to explain strategies and projects to field counterparts and communicate with local governments and partners clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to explain strategies and projects to field counterparts and communicate with local governments and partners clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to provide technical advice, or mobilise technical expertise, on a range of programmatic, operational and support areas.
- Ability to lead, coach and motivate teams for efficient and effective delivery of results.
- Ability to assimilate and analyse complex issues using independent judgement and anticipate potential strategic impact.
- Negotiation and motivational skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels within and beyond the organisation.
- Good understanding of business principles and processes and the ability to quickly assimilate UN/WFP specific processes and systems.
- Ability to cope with situations which may threaten health or safety.
- Tact and ability to work harmoniously with people of different national and cultural background.
- Resourcefulness, initiative and problem-solving skill.
- Ability to apply expert interpersonal skills to build strategic relationships with partners and colleagues.
- Helps colleagues to see the link between their individual tasks and the contributions of the unit’s goals to the broader context of WFP’s mission.
- Recognized the contributions of teammates and encourages contributions from different people to recognize the value of diversity above and beyond.
- Provides and solicits ongoing constructive feedback on strengths and development opportunities to help develop individual skills, while also helping others identify areas for improvement.
- Maintains focus on achieving individual results in the face of obstacles such as volatile or fragile environments and/or organizational roadblocks.
Languages: Fluency (level C) in both oral and written communication in both Arabic and English.
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.
gment
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
All applications must be received by 08 September 2023 at 11:59 (GMT +2, Syria time).
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.
