Country Strategic Planning (CSP) Consultant / CST II

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.

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).

Background and Purpose of the Assignment

In 2021, WFP reached a key milestone as all Country Offices now have an Executive Board-approved Country Strategic Plan (CSP) or Interim CSP (ICSP). This coincides with the UN's transition to the next generation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), which is now central to all UN development activities, including WFP's CSPs, which must align with the UNSDCF both in content and timing.

Somalia’s Country Office is completing its first-generation CSP (2022-2025) and is developing its second-generation CSP for presentation to the Executive Board in February 2026. This new CSP will align with the UNSDCF and Somalia’s National Transformation Plan (2025-2029), both currently in development. WFP Somalia is actively engaging in UNSDCF discussions to align its food security and nutrition programs with broader UN development goals, starting with the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and UNSDCF evaluation.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Planning, Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation, and general oversight by the Country Director, the Country Strategic Planning Consultant will perform the following tasks:

1. Engagement on CCA/UNSDCF: In close coordination with the Country Office, Regional Bureau, and Headquarters’ Programme Cycle teams, support the inter-agency engagement around the CCA/UNSDCF process in Somalia. In particular, support WFP’s appropriate roles in CCA workstreams and UNSDCF results groups:

• Support the Somalia CO management in its strategic engagement with country stakeholders before, during and after UNSDCF design. This may include supporting the consolidation of WFP inputs to the CCA, as well as contributing to the UNSDCF design process. Support could include close liaison and support to the Country Office UNSDCF Result Groups Focal Points, PMLE, Partnership and Communication/Reporting units.

• During the CCA process, ensure food security and nutrition elements are taken into consideration and well-captured. Support the Country Office leverage WFP’s body of analytics such as food security and nutrition assessments and make these available to the UN Country Team and included in the CCA as analytical inputs.

• Support early engagement with FAO, UNICEF, IFAD and other food security and nutrition actors to jointly advocate for the inclusion of zero hunger related issues in the CCA/UNSDCF, based on quality data.

• Support Country Office’s participation in UN Country Team discussions and comment on the emerging CCA/UNSDCF documents.

2. CSP design/development: In close coordination with Regional Bureau and Headquarters’ Programme Cycle teams, assist and guide the Country Office in the design and development of the CSP strategic orientation, in accordance with WFP’s Policy on Country Strategic Plans and informed by the CCA and UNSDCF priorities:

• Participate in bi-weekly meeting with Country Office CSP Task Force (TF)

• Support the consolidation of inputs from CO Task Force (TF) that will inform the country strategic planning design, including evaluation findings, national plans/frameworks and priorities, partners and stakeholders’ mapping, lessons learned, etc.

• Support the coordination of remote and in-country technical missions from the Regional Bureau and Headquarters, help consolidate inputs and develop operational and programmatic aspects of the CSP strategic orientation in consultation with CO Task Force.

• Support the Country Office to host a “CSP formulation workshop” to define the CSP strategic orientation (through developing a Theory of Change and results framework) in consultation with the CO Task Force.

• Support the Country Office Task Force to conduct a consultation process to inform and receive feedback from stakeholders on the design and strategic orientation of the CSP.

3. CSP narrative preparation and submission: In close coordination with Regional Bureau and Headquarters’ Programme Cycle teams, support the Country Office Task Force to prepare and submit the full CSP package for review and approval.

• Advise and support Country Office senior management on coordination and delivery of the technical elements of the CSP package, including project management, information and knowledge management using corporate tools such as Microsoft Teams.

• Take the lead on drafting the full CSP narrative in close collaboration with CO Task Force and additional documents informing the CSP package including the Line of Sight.

• Support the CSP review (sPRP and ePRP) and approval process in close coordination with the CO Task Force, Regional Bureau and Headquarters and update the CSP package as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Advanced University Degree in political sciences, economics, agriculture, international affairs, social sciences, development studies, or a field relevant to international development or humanitarian assistance or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience: At least five (5) years of postgraduate, progressively responsible international and national experience in goal-oriented/strategic planning, organizational change management, inter-agency coordination, programme re-orientation, policy development, etc. Specific experience in strategy formulation, programme management, and project planning in a large multicultural institution in the field or headquarters is an asset. Previous experience with WFP or the UN System is also an asset.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language.

ARE YOU COMPETENT FOR THIS JOB? DO YOU HAVE?

• Strong ability to translate Programme principles into effective, context-specific approaches with a deep understanding of project lifecycles, humanitarian principles, and tools.

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to clearly explain WFP projects and operations to Government counterparts and partners.

• Proficient in writing detailed and high-quality reports in English, with strong analytical and research skills.

• Good interpersonal skills and a collaborative teamwork spirit, with proven ability to work effectively in multicultural settings.

• Solid knowledge of UN system policies, regulations, procedures, and the UN Development System Reform.

This position is open to qualified international candidates. The candidates must be nationals of a country other than the country of assignment. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply

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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

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.