Consultant - Joint Hub Advisor and Roving Coordinator at World Food Programme (WFP)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

• WFP and UNHCR have a longstanding partnership underpinned by various global commitments, agreements, strategies, and principles on increased interagency collaboration to better meet the essential needs of refugees (and other persons of concern) and promote self-reliance. Despite existing frameworks in a variety of areas, awareness and sufficient capacity to operationalize collaboration at country level remains a challenge. The Joint UNHCR-WFP Programme Excellence and Targeting Hub (the ‘Joint Hub’) was established in April 2020 to strengthen joint programming and targeting practices to better meet basic needs, promote refugee self-reliance and strengthen operational links and collaboration for an effective nexus approach.
• The Joint Hub is covering selected phases of the programme cycle: i) Joint situation and context analysis, ii) targeting and prioritization, iii) accountability to affected populations (AAP), iv) integrated programme design, v) data sharing and interoperability, and v) monitoring, learning and feedback.
• Through a joint team of roving experts, and in collaboration with and in support of UNHCR and WFP’s technical teams in HQ, Regional Bureaus (RBs) and Country Offices (COs), the Joint Hub has to date providing dedicated support to some 20 countries and regional bureaus with others coming online on a rolling basis.
• In December 2023, the Joint Hub confirmed its support through a signed Scope of Work (SoW) with WFP and UNHCR country offices in Kenya with a set of deliverables expected in 2024.
• The Joint Hub Advisor and Roving Coordinator will provide remote and mission support for the Joint Hub in priority countries and regions in addition to dedicated in-person coordination support services to WFP and UNHCR in Kenya.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Reporting to the Head of Joint Hub and to the WFP Kenya [Head of Programmes] and UNHCR Kenya [Deputy Representative], the role will facilitate collaborative efforts between WFP and UNHCR.
• S/he will be responsible for the following specific activities:

A) STRATEGIC COORDINATION, LIAISON

• As guided by the Joint hub, RBs and COs leadership and focal points, support in strengthening collaboration, liaison between RBs, between RBs and COs, and between the Joint Hub, RBs and COs in priority strategic and technical areas.
• Provide advisory and coordination support to Kenya and COs and RBs supported by the Joint Hub.

B) COMMUNICATION

• Actively inform Kenya and other COs and regional bureaus on progress, challenges and opportunities in countries supported by the Joint Hub, while facilitating joint work at country level aligned with country strategic plans.
• Facilitate exchange of information and coordination of activities through proactive engagement with multi-functional teams and relevant coordination platforms.
• Support in advocacy efforts, briefings to external stakeholders, as and when required.

C) LEARNING & DOCUMENTATION

• Support evidence generation and development of knowledge products and guidance documents, in addition to documenting learning at regional and country level, including the identification and scaling-up of good practices and methodologies.
• On needs basis, coordinate and accompany Hub experts’ technical support and missions.
• Carry out any additional tasks related to the Joint Hub initiative as required.

DELIVERABLES:

S/he will be responsible for the following deliverables as they relate to the scope of activities of the Joint Hub:

• Strengthened collaboration in Kenya and in priority countries and regions.
• Information-sharing supported and maintained between RBs and COs through new/existing regional and country platforms.
• Country offices, as needed, supported either remotely or via in-person missions, including that of Joint Hub team members.
• Learning documented

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

• Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) or equivalent in International Development, Public Policy, Business Management or related field

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of previous job experience relevant to the function
• Experience in coordinating and building operational partnerships among UN partners
• Operational experience with UNHCR and/or WFP
• Experience of working in refugee/displacement and development context

Knowledge & Skills:

• Good understanding of humanitarian-development programming
• Demonstrated ability to present findings of analytical and monitoring reports
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Experience working in dynamic and innovative environments.
• Willingness to travel extensively to provide in-country support
• Competencies: Cognitive Capacity, Teamwork, Action Management, Partnering, Client Orientation, Innovation and Creativity, Technological Awareness, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Planning and Organizing, Political Awareness, Stakeholder Management

Languages:

• Fluent in English (proficiency/level C) required