WFP National Programme Officer Job

Vacancy Announcement WFP/06/11

Date of issue: 14 February 2011

Deadline for application: 25 February 2011

Applications from women candidates are strongly encouraged as WFP supports gender equality in the workplace.

Job Title: National Programme Officer (Head of Field Office)

Duty Station: Garissa and other duty stations

Post Grade: NOB (Fixed-Term)

Accountabilities: Under the direct supervision of the National Programme Officer and the overall supervision of the PRRO Coordinator, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:-

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for overall programme management which includes implementation and monitoring of programmes and activities in the region;
• Develop and sustain liaison with key professionals and NGOs engaged in the field of food security;
• Represent WFP in key meetings with government and other partners;
• Oversee preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, including weekly district sitreps generated within his/her area of responsibility, proposals for improvements in operation and the scope of programmes, regional DM/PDM reports on monthly basis, take lead in consolidating some of the regional reports;
• Ensure adequate support to rains assessment missions and carry out rapid assessments as necessary to review beneficiary needs;
• Organise WFP support in targeting through adequate information-sharing with CLP staff and communities;
• Assist the government in identifying fields of development where food aid can be usefully employed and give assistance in planning, formulating, and targeting recipients for new requests for WFP aid;
• Liaise with project implementing authorities and undertake visits to view project commodities are received in the country, in order to ensure that progress is made in the achievement of project objectives;
• Ensure continuing liaison with bilateral food aid programmes, with UN agencies and NGOs providing technical or other forms of assistance toWFP-assisted projects;
• Advise the relevant local administration offices/staff on the handling, transport, storage and distribution of the commodities supplied by WFP;
• Advise the government/CLP on the maintenance of all records, accounts and books as stipulated in the currently valid agreements (MoUs, LoUs);
• Ensure compliance with WFP’s policies, criteria and procedures with respect to food aid;
• Assist heads of programmes from CO in all matters related to the delivery of WFP assistance and bring to the attention of appropriate staff any administrative constraints arising from rapidly evolving situations in the field;
• Supervise all the other programme staff in the area of responsibility and provide training and technical guidance in their work;
• Take the lead in organising VIP visits to the district (donors, WFP executive management staff);
• Perform other duties as required, including direct responsibility for administrative/ procurement requirements of the unit.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education: University degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Economics, Agriculture, Social Sciences, International affairs, Business Administration, Development Studies Social Sciences, Development Studies or a field relevant to international development assistance.

Experience: At least three years’ postgraduate professional experience in commerce, business administration, development or food aid support.

Knowledge: Training and/or experience utilising computers including word processing, spreadsheet and other standard software packages and systems. General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration.

Expected Results: Well prepared analytical work; well managed projects, programmes and/or operations.

Critical Success Factors:

• Good analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement, tact, negotiating skills; ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; ability to work in a team and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to cope with situations which may threaten health or safety; flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description.
• Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Language: Fluency in written and oral English and good spoken Kiswahili.

Kenyan nationals meeting the above qualifications are required to submit a covering letter quoting Vacancy Announcement No. WFP/06/11 with their updated Curriculum Vitae, copies of certificates and name, title and e-mail address of three referees.

Candidates should also complete a Personal History form (P.11) available on the following link – http://www.unon.org/docs/P11.doc.

All documents should be sent in an envelope which must be marked: CONFIDENTIAL
WFP/06/11 and sent to:

Human Resources Officer
World Food Programme
P.O. Box 44482
Nairobi 00100.

Applications must be received by the deadline – late applications will not be considered.

WFP does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.