International Consultant – Programme Policy Officer (Food Sector Coordinator)

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

15 October 2024-23:59-GMT+02:00 Eastern European Time (Beirut)

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.

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).

   

WFP Lebanon encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

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. WFP does not charge a fee or request bank details at any stage of the recruitment process.

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 lebanon.recruitment@wfp.org (and copying in global.inclusion@wfp.org). Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

Organizational Background:

Assisting more than 115.5 million people in 120 + countries each year, the World Food Program (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies, and helping individuals and communities find life-changing solutions to the multiple challenges they face in building better futures.

In conflict situations, we bring relief to exhausted populations and use food assistance to build pathways to peace and stability – work for which WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.

WFP Lebanon provides humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people for food and other essential needs through cash-based transfers and in-kind food. WFP Lebanon also provides food assistance in the form of snacks and fresh food to school aged students and promotes resilient livelihoods and sustainable food systems.

In addition to direct assistance to the most food insecure and vulnerable people, WFP also supports government institutions, partners, and other entities to strengthen their capacity to deliver social assistance.

To know more about WFP’s mission, please check the below video:
https://www.facebook.com/WorldFoodProgramme/videos/10154930622760178/  

Job Purpose: The Food Security and Agriculture Sector Coordinator (SC) is one of the core Food Security Cluster (FSC) Coordination team members and plays a vital role in ensuring timely, coherent and effective food security interventions by mobilizing stakeholders to respond in a coordinated and strategic manner to a humanitarian crisis. The role of the Food Security Sector coordinator resembles closely the role of the Cluster Coordinator, as set out in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Generic Terms of Reference and the main core functions, which is to lead food security coordination along with the support team (includes an Information Management Officer (IMO), and field level coordinators) and a wide range of stakeholders in:

• Facilitating a timely, coherent effective and coordinated food security response by mobilizing stakeholders in a strategic manner
• Enhancing coordination through the reinforcement of linkages and synergies between relevant food security actors as well as between humanitarian and development partners
• Lead on the reform of the Cooperation Framework in terms of Sector Lead
• Ensuring that food security is appropriately represented in the overall humanitarian response / Nexus – Development Fora
• Supporting service delivery
• Informing strategic decisions of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT)/Country Management Team (CMT) and Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) / Emergency Response Plan coordinators
• Coordinating, Planning, and implementing Cluster strategies, including Building national and FSC members capacity in preparedness and contingency planning
• Advocacy
• Accountability to affected people and Protection related matters that could emerge from the FS&A sector members
• Contingency planning and preparedness
• Monitoring and Evaluating Cluster/Sector performance

The Food Security and Agriculture Sector Coordinator will work impartially with all members of the Food Security sector and represents the group as a whole, and not a specific agency. S/he will work closely with the UN Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator, the Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Inter-Sector team of the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) and its future reshape coordination body based on the merge of the LCRP & ERP.

Key Responsibilities (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):

• Contribute to the Lebanon Response Plan (LRP) food security and agriculture sector situation analysis and the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) (when applicable) and lead the process for the Food Security and Agriculture Sector through identification of needs, severity, geographical scope, and Persons in Need, with the support of the IMO and in consultation with the sector/ cluster partners.
• Lead on the merger of the LRP allowing the Food Security & Agriculture Sector to be on the forefront of the Cooperation Framework reform under process in Lebanon.
• Lead on the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) in terms of Food Security & Agriculture stakeholders (comprising key Ministerial counterparts, UN agencies, Local and International NGOs) in order to allow an inclusive IPC process in close coordination with FAO, WFP and Ministry of Agriculture.
• Lead on the designing and coordinating with partners to inform and present a) The LRP Annex – South Escalation Response Plan b) Lebanon Preparedness Plans for Further Escalation of Hostilities c) The Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for the Lebanon Response Plan (LRP). And ensure to continue working with the ISCG on any other joint coordination or priorities related to emergency response or preparedness.
• Lead on the Agriculture mapping and reshape of the donor group in close coordination with FAO/WFP and Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD).
• Undertake planning and strategy development by contributing to the LRP merger and other response plans and lead the process for the FSC through coordinating the design of the response strategy, log frame and budget, in consultation with the sector partners. Prepare annual work plan for the sector and prioritization of activities when needed.
• Lead the review of partners appeal under the LRP, and FSAS partners projects submitted on the Humanitarian Project Cycle (HPC) online system, based on the agreed inclusion criteria (if applicable).
• Establish and maintain appropriate humanitarian coordination mechanisms: ensure inclusion of key partners at national and sub-national level, organize regular sector meetings, as required.
• To facilitate operational and strategic coordination discussions/planning, to lead and represent partners joint plans – to represent partners joint messages with key stakeholders example (Inter-sector, ministries, local authorities such as DRM/DRR in emergencies set up… etc)
• Establish and maintain Technical Working Groups to support partners in key thematic areas (ex: Agriculture Working Group, bread abd bakeries working group, value chains, M&E, targeting, etc.) or key thematic emergencies (e.g. emergency response in agriculture with C&V, etc.).
• Lead on the reform of the Livelihood Sector (led by UNDP) and the Food Security & Agriculture Sector, whereby the agriculture livelihood activities are comprised in the FS&A Sector.
• Participate and actively contribute to intersectoral and interagency coordination forums under the LRP and other responses, and to other relevant sectors.
• Ensure an inclusive governance structure for the sector and according to LCRP/ERP merger and other responses coordination mechanisms (including co-leadership of national authorities where possible, Strategic Advisory Group, NGO co-chairing, Sector Core Group and Steering Committee, etc.). Organize and lead relevant meetings.
• Lead the field food security coordinators to ensure high quality coordination at local level.
• Ensure timely, inclusive, and regular information sharing and discussion with the sector partners through various modalities including meetings, email dissemination of sector products (static and interactive dashboards, maps, assessments, etc.).
• Ensure monitoring of the response implementation and reporting (including monitor and follow- up with the IMO on timely Activity Info updates; producing Quarterly and End of Year reports (Dashboards) summarizing achievements, challenges and lessons learnt; provide inputs to end of year reports and monthly SITREPs, intersector situation analysis and business continuity plans, among others); provide information and inputs to LRP and other responses review and evaluations and other information sharing requests when needed.
• Facilitate needs assessment & analysis, support in conducting surveys secondary data review, and dissemination of

available information (inventory/repository) to partners.

• Ensure mainstreaming of cross-cutting and cross-sectoral issues in collaboration with relevant sectors (e.g. social stability/conflict sensitivity; protection mainstreaming including child labour in agriculture; gender; environment, etc) .
• Ensure the use and application of common standards in collaboration with relevant sectors (e.g. SPHERE standards), and harmonization of programmatic responses (SOPs on modality of delivery, composition of food parcels, minimum assistance package, C&V schemes for farmers)
• Contribute to country level contingency planning
• Undertake advocacy and resource mobilization on behalf of the partners in a neutral and impartial manner.
• Engage different country based pooled funding schemes processes such as the Lebanon Humanitarian FUND (LHF) (identification of needs and required interventions, due diligence, review of projects, monitoring of implementation of project, etc.).
• Facilitate and support needs assessments such as EFSA /CFSAM/SMART/LENA, etc, and actively promote the analysis and utilization of this information for decision-making
• Provide expert advice and support WFP, FAO, and its partners on matters pertaining to food security and agriculture strategies, policies, programmes.
• Supervise the IMO and provide guidance to the co-chair and other team members, such as field coordinators,and ensure a smooth and inclusive relationship of the team with all partners and co-leads.

Ensure IM functions are undertaken regularly and timely by the IMO Report regularly to co-leads including NGOs co-chair and line ministries, where existing. Other responsibilities as requested. Together with the sector IMO, support gFSC initiatives, e.g. CCPM (Cluster Coordination Performance Monitoring), global cluster annual overview, etc.

       Deliverables/Outputs:

• Food Security needs analysis and response plan
• Food Security Sector workplan with key deliverables
• Collection of need assessment; surveys and IPC/CH (where relevant)
• Contingency plans and SOPs
• Harmonized packages (e.g. MEB, food basket, livelihood response, etc.)
• Multi-sector joint planning with other clusters CCPM report
• Food security sitrep, newsletters/bulletins (stand-alone and inter-sector)
• Knowledge Capitalization documents
• Advocacy notes and round table meetings minutes (with key actors such as donors, government)
• Handover report with shared folder with documents at the end of the assignment
• Coordination tasks are carried out respecting of WFP and FAO roles and responsibilities as sector lead and in response of Lebanon coordination structure requirements.
• The food security sector is identified as a reference for food security strategy design, programming, and food security information sharing.
• The FSS coordinator participates in the debates on WFP and FAO planning, programming, as well as strategy reviews as appropriate, sector coordination roles and responsibilities are shared with the Government lead (MoA), and stakeholders are aware of coordination partners’ responsibilities.

Standard Minimum Experience and Qualifications:

Education: Advanced University degree (Masters) in food security, agriculture, economics, humanitarian affairs or related field or first university degree with additional years of related experience.

Experience: At least eight years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in food security sector/cluster management, emergency response, emergency assistance, and/or strategic/operational aspects of national, bilateral or multilateral food aid.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English. Knowledge of French and/or Arabic is desirable.

Required Experiences and Knowledge:

• Ability to work and plan at strategic and operational levels.
• Understanding of the international humanitarian response architecture, including humanitarian principles, coordination mechanisms, humanitarian reform and action, and funding mechanisms (e.g. Humanitarian Programme Cycle – HPC, contingency planning, preparedness response, Central Emergency Response Fund and Flash Appeals, Pooled funds).
• Ability to express and summarise ideas orally and in writing in a diplomatic and inclusive manner
• Ability to organize workshops, meetings and to present outcomes on behalf of a group of stakeholders
• Willingness and ability to work in difficult environments, in often stressful time- critical situations
• Experience in coordination of multiple stakeholders. Formal training in Cluster/Sector coordination or previous Cluster/Sector experience is a plus.
• Experience of the country or region of deployment is desirable.

Terms and Conditions: 

• WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, various types of leaves including, medical and life insurances, provision of breastfeeding rooms for new parents, and various wellness platforms.
• WFP Lebanon offers flexible working hours schedule upon prior approval.
• Our premises are accessible, and we are committed to accommodate to any required reasonable accessible needs to remove barriers in the workplace.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

 

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

 

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.