Head of Programme

Position description

Provide support to WFP Angola Head of Office to implement WFP policies and strategy for the Country, consistent with the broader policies and strategies established by the Regional Director and national authorities. In the absence of the Head of Office, manage the country office and supervise its staff and other resources. Act as the primary reference point for CCS strategy and activities in the providing guidance and expertise to senior officials from the Government of Angola, NGO’s, Civil Society ad Private Sector. Act as primary WFP Country Office reference point for CCS issues with WFP RBJ. Prepare and/or update the Country Office CCS in coordination with Regional Units. Implement the Country Office CCS Strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent will operate under the direct supervision of the Head of Office and in close collaboration with all Head of Units/Subject matter experts (SMEs) as relevant.

Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Coordinate WFP's programme and operations in the country with other UN agencies, donors, and NGOs, promoting joint programming when possible.
• In the absence of the Head of Office, manage the country office and supervise its staff and other resources.
• Support Head of Office on resources mobilization activities.
• Coordinate projects related to WFP-government MoU on technical assistance on school feeding, VAM, and nutrition through World Bank support.
• Monitor the national food security situation and take the lead in providing food aid information and coordination.
• Work to raise awareness and knowledge among all Country Office colleagues and stakeholders (including senior and experienced national government officials) of the WFP corporate framework and approach for country capacity strengthening and how best to integrate/reflect CCS in on-going activities and plans for future interventions.
• Support or facilitate country trainings on CCS for WFP staff and stakeholders where relevant and prepare/adapt training materials.
• Support and coordinate coherent and explicit integration of CCS in Country Strategic Plan (CSP) formulation and operationalisation across all areas of WFP work in country.
• Backstop, support and coordinate WFP Activity Managers in liaising with WFP’s key stakeholders to coordinate, facilitate and complete Capacity Needs Mapping (CNM) exercises of relevance.
• Draft reports and briefs highlighting national institutional, policy and programmatic capacity and gaps, as well as possible WFP entry points, to feed into Strategic Review process for WFP’s Country Strategic Plan.
• Support WFP Activity Managers in coherently designing CCS programme components in line with CNM findings and strategic positioning outlined by the CSP.
• Coordinate and support WFP Activity Managers in completing the CCS Activity Matrix (where relevant).
• Support Activity Managers in proposing a feasible budget to cover WFP CCS interventions.
• Support COs in completing capacity assessment and gaps analyses as relevant to delivering against the country capacity strengthening proposals.
• Support CO Managers in collection, analysis, consolidation and presentation of qualitative and quantitative information to understand national capacities, policies and programmes in relation to food and nutrition security.
• Support CO/RB generation and documentation of evidence by capturing knowledge, best practices and experiences in relation to capacity strengthening initiatives.
• Assist COs coordinate regular CCS implementation performance monitoring as appropriate to context.
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

• Degree or Master’s degree in International Development, International Relations, Anthropology, Agronomy, Sociology, Social Research Methods, or related fields.

Experience:

• 10 or more years of relevant professional and field experience (preferably including international positions) e.g., related to national development programmes, policies, strategies or plans and institutional structures, preferably in relation to food security and/or nutrition and revolving around national capacity building and/or programme and knowledge management.
• Knowledge of key national and regional contexts and issues is essential.
• Experience in managerial positions (Head of Office).
• Experience working in an international environment heavily dependent on virtual networking and engaging individuals from a diverse range of nations and functional areas.
• Experience carrying out methodical thematic research and analytical work.
• Experience in establishing contacts and liaising with partner organisations/companies.
• Previous experience working in an International Organisation and/or UN organisation desirable.

Technical Knowledge & Skills:

• Solid understanding of Agenda 2030 and in particular, understanding of SDG2 and SDG17 and respective targets and how the work of WFP can contribute to achieving them.
• Knowledge of current thinking and development in country capacity development and effective knowledge transfer models, concepts and principles relevant to humanitarian/emergency contexts.
• Familiarity with WFP’s mandate, Country Strategic Planning process, intervention modalities, programme and project lifecycle tools, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation desirable.
• Demonstrated data collection and analytical writing skills, including ability to analyse and consolidate quantitative and qualitative information to understand national capacities across a wide range of policy and programme areas and identify gap and needs, as well as WFP’s entry points.
• Good operational, analytical and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs and ability to present them in and English and Portuguese.
• Moderate to proficient computer literacy.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent ability to develop and maintain networks with a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong facilitation skills for strategic/analytical workshops and group discussions.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to convey an informed and professional demeanour toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Flexibility to adapt individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from colleagues and internal/external changes.
• Ability to participate in open dialogue and value diverse opinions, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
• Willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
• Ability to work independently in a timely and organised manner.
• Ability to work in a team and multi-task as needed.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is essential. Fluency or ability to work in other WFP official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) and/or WFP working language (Portuguese) is considered an asset.

Application instructions

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