South Sudan: Head of Field Office NOB, Yida South Sudan

Feb 16, 2024 | World Food Programme
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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.  

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.

Organisational Context

South Sudan, despite its vast natural resources and youthful population, faces severe challenges due to endemic conflict, climate shocks including widespread flooding, and economic instability. These issues have led to widespread displacement and food insecurity. Over 7 million people are projected to be acutely food insecure in 2014, and 1.6 million children are acutely malnourished. South Sudan is also host to over 300,000 refugees from neighbouring countries.

While humanitarian aid is crucial for immediate relief, sustained development investments by the Government and partners are also critical. WFP South Sudan’s operation is guided by the 2023 to 2025 Country Strategic Plan. The strategy has five pillars: 1) access to food 2) building human capital, 3) transforming food systems and building resilience, 4) systems strengthening; and 5) support to the humanitarian community to deliver effectively.

Job Purpose

To plan and manage field operations to ensure the effective and efficient deployment of food assistance programmes and use of allocated resources.

Key Accountabilities (not all-inclusive)

  1. Effectively manage the Field Office to ensure the continued development of a cohesive and high performing team.
  2. Plan and manage WFP field operations within the area of assignment to ensure effective and efficient delivery of food assistance and that daily operational issues are timely resolved to prevent losses or delays. 
  3. Ensure that allocated resources are used efficiently and are in line with agreed plans, and any deviations are reported to the Area/Country Office.
  4. 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).
  5. Conduct timely monitoring and evaluation of activities and prepare accurate and comprehensive reports on WFP’s operations and performance with regular and timely submission for Area/Country Office review to inform efficient operational planning and decisions.
  6. Build effective and collaborative relations with the local authorities and contribute to the expertise sharing and capacity building for effective preparedness and response to food assistance needs.
  7. Build partnerships to improve assistance packages, develop and sustain liaison with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, civil societies, beneficiaries and other partners and media engaged in the field of food security.
  8. Ensure extensive and frequent presence at project areas, distribution sites and centers.
  9. Other as required

Standard Minimum 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.


Language: International Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language. 

Experience: A minimum of three years post graduate with progressively responsible professional experience in field operations management, social assistance, cash-based programming, policy and advocacy.

4Ps Core Organisational Capabilities

Purpose

  • Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
  • Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
  •  Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
  •  Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People

  • Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
  •  Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
  •  Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
  •  Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance

  • Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
  •  Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
  •  Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
  •  Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership

  • Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
  •  Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
  •  Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
  •  Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

See original job posting for Functional Capabilities

Desired Experiences for Entry into Role

  • Has developed, or supported in the development of, single discipline work plans to support the achievement of WFP strategic aims within a defined area.
  • Has gained some exposure 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 local political situations and assessing risk accurately.
  • Gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme etc.).
  • Has gained experience managing small to mid-size financial budgets, balancing priorities effectively.
  • Has experience leading a small to mid-size team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
  • Participated in a vendor/government/ partner negotiation within area of focus.
  • Participated in a small emergency operation/ development programme.
  • Has experience with security co-ordination and compound management within a smaller area.

Deadline for Applications: 25 February 2024

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.