Special Assistant to Country Director CSTII

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).

ABOUT Assistant to Country Director AT WFP

This position is based in Bujumbura and reports to Country Director.

THE ROLE

To provide management support for the Country Office (CO) to ensure the effective delivery of WFP programs and activities.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Special Assistant to the Country Director will report directly to the Country Director and will be responsible for providing day-to-day support to the Country Director in the execution of their functions and in maintaining strategic communication with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. The Special Assistant will also be responsible for facilitating the smooth operation of the management front office, handling highly confidential and sensitive matters, analysing situations accurately, providing timely advice, and following up on agreed action points.

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

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Country Director, coordinate and oversee the overall planning of activities for the Country Director as required.
• Review, respond to, or draft management reports and correspondence on behalf of the Country Director, escalating issues that require their decision-making. Ensure clear and consistent internal communication from the Country Director to staff, coordinating with relevant colleagues as needed. Leverage socio-political insights in providing advice to strengthen WFP’s strategic positioning and effectiveness.
• Coordinate, review and/or prepare as appropriate high-quality strategic background documents, talking points, and briefs for the Country Director to ensure he/she has all the information required for all meetings and engagements.
• Attend interagency, governmental, and internal meetings with the Country Director as required, ensuring consistency and clarity in the NFRs and coordinate follow up actions as required.
• Oversee and coordinate all functions of the Country Director's front office managing other staff as necessary. Ensure that requests, feedback, and concerns from staff destined for the Country Director are dealt with in a professional, confidential and appropriate manner in line with Country Office and WFP policies and procedures.
• Actively liaise with other relevant actors in the RB, COs and HQ on a regular basis with regards to follow up on issues, priorities and decisions concerning management.
• Maintain strong relationships with counterparts in other UN Agencies and (I)NGOs, to ensure smooth and strategic information sharing, and coordination of meetings and joint missions as necessary.
• Organize travel with Country Director and accompany them, when necessary.
• Organize and coordinate high-level missions in the country and follow-up resulting action points.
• Assist the Country Director in promoting cross-sectoral integration, fostering positive team dynamics and optimizing workplace culture.
• Manage special projects and conduct research as and when required by the Country Director.
• Provide coaching and guidance to front office staff as required to ensure appropriate development and enable high-performance.
• Perform other related duties and assignments as and when required by the Country Director.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Studies, Economics, Journalism, International Relations, Social Sciences, Communications or other related field, or First University degree with two additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience:

Minimum of five (5) years of postgraduate professional experience in a relevant field, with a focus on international humanitarian development. Preferred experience in a similar Special Assistant role, along with advanced writing, analytical, and relationship management skills. Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to analyze and interpret information to develop key messages and talking points. Demonstrated responsibility, confidentiality, and accountability. Field experience is an asset.

Language: Fluency in English, excellent written skills. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of French. Fluency in French, especially written, will be an added advantage.

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.