BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

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

Brief description of WFP in Uganda

WFP delivers food assistance in emergencies and work with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. WFP provides life-saving food assistance and livelihood opportunities to refugees in Uganda. In addition, WFP assists the most vulnerable people in Karamoja with food and nutrition assistance. Finally, WFP works with smallholder farmers and links them to markets.

As Uganda strives to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030 and become a middle-income country by 2040, WFP is also assessing its role in Uganda with a view to maximizing its impact.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

This job is located in the Uganda Country Office under the Country Director's Office and reports to the Country Director. The job holder will operate with a high degree of independence and will be involved in coordination and facilitation of strategic initiatives, stakeholder management, reporting and analytical work of a high complexity and contribute to the smooth functioning of the Country Director’s Office.

JOB PURPOSE

To support the Country Director’s Office with reporting, knowledge management and communication; strategic partnerships, specifically with a view to Government authorities and UN partners; internal and external coordination of stakeholders in particular regarding strategic initiatives; and contribute to strengthening WFP’s profile both  internally and externally through a strategically coherent and evidence-based presentation of WFP operations and results. The role overall is expected to facilitate informed and timely decision-making at senior management level.

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Contribute to formulation of WFP-wide programme policies and strategies in line with the Country Strategic Plan 2018 to 2025 and informed by contextual understanding of humanitarian and development work in Uganda.
2. Enhance partnerships (internal & external), establish and maintain mechanisms for efficient and effective linkages with UN agencies, Government, Civil Society, private sector, academia, donors and served communities for purposes of achieving the CSP commitments/breakthroughs.
3. Develop plans and priorities, including facilitation of WFP internal planning processes, plan and manage strategic initiatives and guide transitioning them gradually to respective technical or support units within WFP, as appropriate.
4. Provide advice and support to the Country Director on complex issues to clarify ambiguities and ensure that policy and programme operations are consistent with WFP policies, partner expectations and other relevant guidance.
5. Identify for management decision, appropriate institutions, training programs/workshops, conferences, exchange programmes, on-the-job training, required to support the achievement of objectives of the CSP.
6. Provide technical advice or mobilize technical expertise on programme and policy issues including assessment and analysis, the choice of objectives, activities, and the development of strategies to support government efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition.
7. Assist counterparts in governments and other partners in identifying where food assistance can be usefully employed and provide support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation and implementation of complex food assistance programmes to strengthen government and community ownership and effectiveness of food security and nutrition programmes at national and sub-national levels.
8. Establish and maintain operational partnerships to identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve assistance packages and support advocacy work.
9. Enhance WFP’s leadership status in forums relating to food assistance in humanitarian, transition and development contexts through direct participation, briefings, information products and other materials.
10. Coordinate preparation of timely analytical and critical reports, and a variety of information products or proposals for use within the Country Director’s Office.
11. Contribute to resource mobilizations efforts for WFP projects, including clearly articulating the need for food assistance and related programme opportunities, and follow up on the resource situation of projects including commodity and cash availability, seeking advice from senior colleagues where necessary.
12. Develop and coordinate systematic reviews to keep the CSP on track or undertake corporately acceptable adjustments where required, including regular feedback to the Government of Uganda.
13. Others related assignments as required by the supervisor from time to time

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:  Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environment Science, Social Sciences or other fields relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses

Experience:  

• Over 8 years relevant working experience in humanitarian operation with leadership responsibilities and collaboration with government entities.
• Has experience working with the World Food Programme at Senior Level and across the Programme portfolio.
• Has led an Area /Field Office or country/area office programme team or a component of a country office programme portfolio.
• Significant experience in having engaged in policy discussions and provided input into policy decisions.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of or experience in food assistance or relief, logistics, development, humanitarian aid, and/or social nets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Analytical skills
• Strong partnership management skills

Languages:  Fluency in oral and written English. Working knowledge of local languages is an added advantage.