Head of Field Office

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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.

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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 World Food Programme (WFP) is the United Nations frontline humanitarian agency addressing hunger and malnutrition worldwide. WFP tackles poverty and hunger through a range of interventions: saving lives and protecting livelihoods in emergencies; investing in the prevention and mitigation of disasters; restoring and rebuilding lives and livelihoods in post-conflict or post-disaster situation; and other interventions to tackle hunger. Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 100 million people in over 80 countries. 

In Angola, WFP is working with the Government and a broad range of partners towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). From October 2020 to May 2021 the southwestern provinces of Angola experienced the most severe drought in the last 40 years. Migration of families to neighboring Namibia in the search of water and pasture for kettle has been registered in Cunene. In addition to lack of precipitation, the occurrence of locust pests in some areas has further compromised the agricultural season 2020/2021.

An IPC Acute Food Insecurity analysis of 17 municipalities of Southern Angola found that, between July and September 2021, around 1.32 million people (49% of the analyzed population) have experienced high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), of which 38% are in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and 12% in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). These people face difficulties in accessing food or are only able to meet the minimum food requirements through crisis and/or emergency coping strategies. Between October 2021 and March 2022, the number of people in IPC Phase 3 or above is expected to rise to around 1.58 million people (58% of the analyzed population), of which 42% are likely in IPC Phase 3 and 15% in IPC Phase 4.

The mounting food security and nutrition needs are evident and confirmed by all relevant partners operating on the ground. The government’s capacity to effectively respond has proven to be limited. WFP has been providing technical assistance to the Government in the areas of school feeding, vulnerability analysis and nutrition, and is well positioned to continue supporting the relevant national counterparts in their drought preparedness and response efforts.

WFP’s assistance will be coordinated through the Inter-Ministerial Drought Task Force and will include support on nutrition, vulnerability analysis and mapping, supply chain and operations management. WFP will help the Government set up food security and nutrition coordination mechanisms at the provincial level and is discussing other possibilities of support, including food assistance.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under these Terms of Reference, the Head of Field Office will be based in Lubango (Huíla) and will work in close collaboration with the Angola Country Office in Luanda in order to:

• Coordinate and support WFP staff team working on drought emergency response in the southern Provinces of Lubango, Namibe and Ondjva offices.
• Lead the engagement with Government Drought Task Force. The Head of Field will be assisted by staff with the required expertise on Supply Chain, VAM, and Nutrition
• Participate and represent WFP in relevant local meetings with government, donors, NGOs and UN Agencies.
• Support set up of Nutrition Response in Huila (CERF funds) and Cunene (IR-R resources), including on the FLAs and overall set-up. 
• Planning of possible food assistance interventions, including in-kind and cash-based transfer options, and related required arrangements, in close coordination with Luanda office and relevant RBJ units. 
• Coordinate with local stakeholders, including relevant govt entities, UN agencies and humanitarian partners, as required.
• Support establishment of provincial food security and nutrition coordination mechanisms. 
• Conduct field visits to affected locations with the aim of gathering evidence to support advocacy and fundraising with partners. 
• Produce regular briefings and reports on WFP operations (distribution plans, physical stock and review distribution reports).
• Provide high-level analysis and comprehensive situational overviews of the emergency operation.
• Liaise and coordinate daily with WFP's cooperating partner (World Vision International) on operational matters pertaining to the emergency response.
• Ensure that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and financial internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained.
• Provide support to Luanda office as required, including on reporting, planning and M&E.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

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 and strong knowledge of food security and nutrition issues and demonstrated experience in the practice of Programme management and research.

Experience:

• 10 years of experience
• Exposure to field operations, preferably in a hardship duty station, conflict, or emergency response situation.
• Experience of analyzing local political situations and assessing risk.
• Broad exposure across multiple areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme etc.).
• Experience managing small to mid-size financial budgets and balancing priorities effectively.
• Experience leading small to mid-size team to ensure effective delivery of objectives.
• Participated in a vendor/government/ partner negotiation within area of focus.
• Participated in an emergency operation/ development programme.
• Experience with security co-ordination.
• Excellent communications skills, including good drafting ability in both English and Portuguese.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Sound knowledge of project cycle, programme and resource management, humanitarian principles and tools, programmes and transfer modalities;
• Ability to explain projects and operations to counterparts and to communicate with Government and partners clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to translate understanding of programme principles into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches;
• General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures

Languages:

•           Command of English and Portuguese is required.

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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

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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.