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 without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic or social origin, genetic information, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting global hunger. WFP's mission is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetime. Every day, WFP works around the world to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, especially women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

WFP'S MANDATE AND INTERVENTIONS IN MADAGASCAR

In Madagascar, WFP is supporting the government's efforts through an assistance strategy to respond to the humanitarian emergency, strengthen community resilience and support sustainable development efforts. In collaboration with government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and UN system partners, WFP, organizes cash or in-kind transfers to meet the food needs of families affected by climatic hazards, provides school meals that promote access to education for girls and boys, supports the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, and provides technical and financial support to groups of small agricultural producers to improve their production and access to the market.

WFP also provides the air transport service, ensuring safe, reliable and cost-effective transport for humanitarian and development actors to other parts of Madagascar.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Madagascar is a low-income country with an estimated population of 26 million. With a gross domestic product per capita of USD 422, the country is ranked 164 out of 189 on the Human Development Index. Almost 70 percent of the population lives on less than USD 1.90 a day. Five million people are affected by recurring natural disasters, including cyclones, floods, and droughts. The 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey showed that the rate of acute malnutrition is 6 percent, and the rate of chronic malnutrition is 42 percent, placing Madagascar as the 10th worst country affected by stunting in the world.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, the Emergency Programme Policy Officer will be responsible for the Emergency & Preparedness response activities in the Country following the lean season and cyclonic response. This will be done by providing strategic and operational planning, leadership and technical guidance to staff and other teams for distribution planning, beneficiary management, supervision and effective coordination.

The position is based in Antananarivo, Country Office, Madagascar, with frequent visits to the field.

  PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

To provide expert advice, analysis, and substantial contributions to emergency response operations in Madagascar CO and manage field emergency operations to ensure an effective response in terms of food assistance and/or service provision requirements. The incumbent is expected to deploy on a no-regrets  basis to humanitarian emergencies on short notice in support of RBs/COs.  

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

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

Emergency Coordination

1. Take a leading and collaborative role in coordinating the emergency response in direct support to the Head of Programme and Management.
2. Lead cross-functional analysis, including context analysis to inform emergency preparedness and response.
3. Facilitate cross-functional coordination at the appropriate level and convene the counterparts from various technical/functional areas to ensure that emergency preparedness and response is delivered in a coherent, integrated, and efficient manner.
4. Lead preparation of emergency assessment capacities, contingency planning, scenario building and Concept of Operations to ensure adequate operational readiness and where feasible, a transition plan for more sustainable emergency responses.
5. Provide advice to the Field Offices on the operationalization and integration of multi-dimensional approach to humanitarian access across their Concepts of Operations, Access strategies, workplans and, where possible, Country Strategic Plans.

6. Monitor emerging humanitarian and food security trends and potential socio-economic and political instability to identify risks and strategies for preparedness and risk reduction before crisis occurs.
7. Provide timely situational updates to senior management and a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure effective decision-making as well as required external support by the CO/RB/HQ.
8. Ensure that WFP’s activities linked to the emergency response are coordinated with the affected communities, authorities, and partners.

Resource Mobilization

9. Proactively provide advice and support on mobilization of WFP resources and capabilities for an effective and sustainable emergency response.
10. Leverage available funding mechanisms, partnership networks and communication and advocacy platforms to raise visibility of the emergency operation and requirements.
11. Identify opportunities to secure additional emergency staff and non-staff resources from external partners, engaging with relevant actors and stakeholders.
12. Identify and leverage technological tools and solutions to enhance emergency response effectiveness and efficiency.

Leadership and Management

13. Serve as a key advisor to management on all matters related to the emergency response.
14. Promote/Advocate for application of WFP’s emergency guidance and protocols.
15. Lead the development of functional training and documentation of lessons learned to promote good knowledge management practices ensuring improvement of future emergency responses.
16. Lead, motivate and develop a substantive emergency response team to enable high performance.
17. Take responsibility for an equitable and inclusive workplace which incorporates all dimensions of the WFP diversity and inclusion framework.
18. Other as required.

  DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Has actively supported and been engaged in medium to large scale emergency operations and has led or participated in strategy planning within a mid-size, moderately complex country or equivalent environment.
• Has taken an active role in negotiations with donors/ government officials, partners, media outlets, etc. on multiple issues of moderate complexity.
• Has gained substantial experience in humanitarian operations roles as (but not limited to) a programme   or project officer, team leader, supply chain officer, head of field office or equivalent. Experience in developing and implementing CBT activities is highly desired.
• Has demonstrated leadership in a variety of contexts, including in emergencies and/or hardship duty stations.
• Has effectively recruited and managed multi-cultural teams.
• Has experience working in collaboration with a diverse array of humanitarian actors, including governments, NGOs, U.N. agencies, civil society, etc.

STANDARD MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS: 06 MAY, 2024

QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to behaviors such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of power and discrimination. All selected candidates will be required to adhere to WFP's standards of conduct and will therefore be subject to rigorous background checks either internally or by the intermediary of third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may result in disqualification or dismissal.

WFP will not seek payment at any stage of the recruitment process, including at the offer stage.