Director, Climate & Resilience Service (D1)

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).

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Director of WFP’s Climate & Resilience Service is a key thematic leadership position in WFP’s Programme Operations Department (PO), reporting to the Programme Policy and Guidance Division Director. He/she serves as authoritative adviser to WFP executive management on climate change issues, convenes WFP’s Climate Crisis task force, manages thematic trust funds and special accounts, and represents the organization externally to shape global priorities and contribute to thought leadership at the nexus of humanitarian, development, and climate action. He/she leads teams delivering policy, strategy, programmatic guidance and support on climate and resilience. 
The Climate & Resilience Service also plays a central role in advising WFP Regional and Country Offices on the application of environmental standards and safeguards, in the context of WFP’s Environmental & Social Sustainability Framework (ESSF).
 

THE ROLE

The Director of WFP’s Climate and Resilience Service provides thematic leadership on climate change- and resilience strengthening in WFP. He/she coordinates the implementation of WFP’s Climate Change and Resilience policies and guides the integration of corresponding priorities and activities across other strategic planning processes at global, regional and country level. With regards to partnerships, data/research/evidence, workforce capacity and resource mobilization, the Director works closely with other Divisions and ensures alignment with organizational priorities. The Director provides thematic leadership and facilitates systematic collaboration between WFP Headquarters and Regional Bureaux to increase the quality of climate- and resilience-focused programming at country level. 

The technical range of responsibilities within the Service integrate functions related to climate and disaster risk financing and insurance; early warning and anticipatory action; regenerative natural resource management; resilience and market access for smallholder farmers; sustainable energy solutions; multilateral climate finance programming; and strategic engagement with multilateral environmental conventions (notably UNFCCC and UNCCD). Transversal support functions include research and evidence on climate and resilience, institutional learning & reporting, and thematically focused support to country strategies and programs.

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

• Formulate and implement thematic policies, strategies, and guidance focusing on climate action and resilience strengthening, in alignment with corporate WFP policies and wider UN strategies and processes, to ensure effective support to field operations.

• Lead WFP’s engagement with the UNFCCC, UNCCD, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and associated thematic platforms, Conferences of the Parties, and funding mechanisms. Serve as WFP’s focal point for the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund and ensure management of a high-quality pipeline of climate change adaptation projects and programs.

• Coordinate the mobilization, allocation and disbursement of thematic trust funds managed by the service, ensuring that these funds are allocated to organizational and policy priorities in coordination with regional and country offices. Working with other Programme Services and WFP’s Partnership and Innovation Department, develop new opportunities to attract funding (including innovative finance) in support of WFP’s climate and resilience programs. 

• Serve as WFP’s authoritative senior adviser on their area which includes recommendations to WFP Executive, Regional Bureau and Country Office management on institutional policies, guidance, and priorities. Convene thematic leadership platforms and represent the organization externally, including with the media, to project WFP’s thought leadership.

• Develop and manage change processes related to the implementation of policies, maximizing performance, enabling innovation, and achieving cost-effective and efficient delivery of policy objectives.

• Hold accountability for climate- and resilience-focused standards, guidance, capacity strengthening and reporting processes in WFP and ensure that evaluation, audit and compliance recommendations are efficiently implemented within the Service.

• Hold accountability for transparent and efficient management of human and financial resources, ensuring the best use of financial resources for achievement of policy objectives. Provide effective leadership to technical Units within the Service to ensure continued high performance of multi-disciplinary teams.

• Identify, build and maintain productive relationships with a broad range of internal and external partners to promote WFP corporate strategies, transfer of knowledge and expertise, and attract support for WFP’s climate and resilience activities. Actively participate, lead or co-lead UN forums and clusters to ensure delivery of the broader UN mandate and effective WFP leadership on climate action, resilience strengthening and disaster risk reduction. 

• Establish annual work plans, set priorities and targets, and monitor work progress to ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards. Supervise team members by providing them with clear objectives and goals, direction and guidance. Ensure duty of care and accountability for an equitable and inclusive workplace which incorporates all dimensions of WFP’s diversity and inclusion framework.

• Other duties as and when required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Advanced University degree (Masters or higher) in international development, environmental studies, climate change, international relations, or other relevant areas, or First University degree (Bachelors) with two years of additional relevant experience.

Experience: At least thirteen years of relevant progressively responsible work experience focused on developing countries, of which at least 6 years must have focused on climate action, disaster risk reduction, environmental management, or resilience strengthening. 
Experience working on climate-related issues in developing countries, including climate and disaster risk financing.
Experience leading multicultural teams and managing performance. 
Experience working for international organizations such as the United Nations is desirable.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language).

MORE ABOUT YOU:
You have:

•    In-depth knowledge and expertise in:
-    Climate change impacts on food security 
-    Global institutional and policy discourse on climate change
-    Relation of climate action to other institutional and policy frameworks supporting sustainable development, humanitarian aid, food system transformation, and disaster risk reduction
•    Broad understanding of the institutional landscape related to humanitarian, development and climate action.
•    Strong networks and partnerships with relevant institutions.
•    Demonstrated experience mobilizing and/or implementing climate finance from bilateral or multilateral mechanisms.
•    Ability to lead, coach and motivate multi-disciplinary teams to deliver on results.
•    Excellent spoken and written communication and presentation skills, including with high-level audiences.
•    Ability to assimilate, analyze and communicate complex issues at the nexus between humanitarian, development and climate action.
 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Geographical Mobility is and continues to be, a core contractual requirement in WFP. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term International Professional position as well as a rotational contract with a probationary period of one year.
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel, visa and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance. For more information, visit https://icsc.un.org/.
The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy which is a family duty station to take up this assignment.

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.