Vacancies at World Food Programme (WFP)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

• Humanitarian needs across eastern Africa are increasing rapidly, driven by several factors including rising conflict, climate-related hazards such as drought and flooding, and socio-economic shocks. As of the end of 2022, some 82 million people across the region were acutely food insecure.  
• The Senior Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer (P5) functions as the Head of the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Unit, situated within the Programme Team of the Regional Bureau for Eastern Africa (RBN). 
• The EPR Unit is responsible for providing and coordinating support to WFP Country Offices to prepare for and respond to emergencies to the highest standards, in line with WFP emergency protocols and guidelines. 
• The EPR unit is also responsible for regional technical leadership, support and oversight of WFP’s work on protection and accountability to affected populations, humanitarian access, capacity strengthening of national disaster management authorities, conflict sensitivity and contributions to peace through the humanitarian, development and peace nexus.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Emergency Coordination

• Support emergency preparedness and response activities across RBN in support of the Regional Director.
• Lead cross-functional analysis and coordination at the appropriate level and reinforce linkages amongst counterparts from various technical/functional areas to ensure that emergency preparedness and response is delivered in a coherent, integrated and efficient manner.
• Direct cross-functional analysis when needed, including context analysis to inform emergency preparedness and response.
• Amplify the successes of partnering teams by identifying opportunities for great cross-team collaboration, including with logistics, budget and programming, nutrition and other divisions at CO and HQ levels.
• Lead preparation of emergency assessment capacities, identifying gaps and making recommendations related to contingency planning, scenario building and Concept of Operations to ensure adequate operational readiness and where feasible, a transition plan for more sustainable emergency responses.
• Provide advice to Country Offices (CO) on the operationalization and integration of a multi-dimensional approach to humanitarian access across Concepts of Operations, Access strategies, workplans and, where possible, Country Strategic Plans.
• Identify and monitor emerging humanitarian and food security trends and potential socio-economic and political instability in order to promote and lead contingency planning processes in close collaboration with relevant entities.
• Establish/maintain efficient information flow to effectively map areas of emergency response and needs including critical action points.
• Ensure that WFP’s activities linked to the emergency response are coordinated with the affected communities, authorities and partners.

Resource Mobilization

• Provide strategic advice and support on mobilizing WFP resources and capabilities for an effective and sustainable emergency response.
• Build networks and partnerships to leverage available funding mechanisms and advocacy platforms to raise visibility of the emergency operation and requirements.
• Oversee technical support requirements, facilitate the acquisition of technological tools and innovative solutions to enhance emergency response effectiveness and efficiency.

Leadership and Management

• Lead, manage and motivate a team of approximately 10 staff in the areas of emergency preparedness and response, protection and accountability to affected populations, humanitarian access, conflict sensitivity and contributions to peace.
• Hold accountability for the application of WFP’s emergency guidance and protocols.
• Lead the development of functional training and documentation of lessons learned to ensure good knowledge management practices and improvement of future emergency responses.
• Take responsibility for an equitable and inclusive workplace which incorporates all dimensions of the WFP diversity and inclusion framework.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY REQUIREMENTS
Education: 

• Advanced University degree preferably in social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, international relations/development/affairs, logistics, supply chain management, business administration or other related fields of study, or First University degree with 2 additional years of relevant work experience and/or advanced training/courses.

Experience: 

• At least 11 years (of which a minimum of 3 years in an international context) of relevant experience.

Language: 

Fluency (level C) in the 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 taken a leadership role in a medium to large scale emergency operation and has led or participated in strategy planning within a mid- to large sized and complex country or equivalent environment.
• You have technical leadership experience in one or more of the following areas; protection and accountability to affected populations, capacity strengthening of national disaster management authorities, humanitarian access and negotiations, conflict sensitivity and HDP nexus strategy and programme design.
• You have taken a leading and strategic role in negotiations with donors/ government officials, partners, media outlets, etc. on multiple issues of moderate complexity.
• You have gained expertise in humanitarian operations roles as (but not limited to) a programme, project or operations officer, team leader, supply chain officer, head of field office or equivalent. Experience in developing, leading and implementing CBT activities is highly desired.
• You have demonstrated thought leadership in a variety of contexts, including in emergencies and/or hardship duty stations.
• You have effectively recruited and managed multi-cultural teams.
• You have extensive experience working in collaboration with a diverse array of humanitarian actors, including governments, NGOs, U.N. agencies, civil society, etc.

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

• The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  WFP Kenya Country Office operations are extremely complex in nature with high reputational risks. The challenge of working in difficult conditions to bring much needed food and support to beneficiaries, while inherently rewarding, can place a great deal of pressure and stress on WFP staff.
• As part of a multidisciplinary team under the Staff Wellness Division, the Staff Counselling Unit is committed to the promotion of psychological and physical health in the broadest sense so staff can continue to function at high levels in order to meet the mandate of the organization. This is done by identifying and addressing psychological risk factors in the workplace, and through the provision of counselling services to staff members and their dependents.
• WFP Kenya Country Office, Nairobi is looking for a highly qualified Staff Counsellor to provide efficient and effective psychological counselling to staff requiring support related to workplace difficulties or personal issues.  A large emphasis is placed on extensive engagement with staff and promotion of staff wellbeing.
• JOB PURPOSE
• To provide efficient and effective psychological counselling to staff requiring support related to work-place difficulties or personal issues. A large emphasis is placed on extensive engagement with staff and promotion of staff well-being.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Provide empirically supported and culturally sensitive counselling services to staff and if requested their dependents; this may include case management and referrals to other resources as required.
• Provide pre and post deployment briefings to staff being deployed to emergency or hardship duty stations.
• Using the WFP Wellness Strategy work closely with partners to develop a broad range of Wellness initiatives that fit the context and needs of the operation.
• Based on data trends and requests from other divisions/units/offices develop and provide a range of trainings and programs including but not limited to team building, resilience, harassment, and cross-cultural sensitivity to improve morale, health, and team dynamics.
• As part of a multidisciplinary team work closely with individuals and teams to address psychological risks at the individual, unit and organizational level.
• When requested work closely with managers/supervisors towards improving the working atmosphere in their units.
• Manage the content of the Wellbeing Platform relevant to Kenya.
• Provide counselling services to individuals and/or groups during emergencies; provide services in a timely and sensitive manner to staff and dependents after critical incidents, and ensure follow up support for staff and dependents following critical events;
• Support and maintain the existing WSV Network through supervision; disseminate training materials and related protocols.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (cont.)

• Identify and liaise with high quality local and regional mental health resources that can be used for referrals or in times of crisis.
• In the best interests of staff members and the organization work in a collegial and professional manner with all units in the Staff Wellness Division to ensure continuity of care.
• Work as a part of a team to ensure WFP divisional priorities are implemented consistent with the yearly divisional work plan and the Wellness Division Strategic Plan.
• Develop and participate in multidisciplinary programmes in the Staff Wellness Division as well as Regional and Country Offices.
• Be proactive in building partnerships with but not limited to HR and security that support staff within the agency and with other agencies or relevant organizations.
• Contribute to the development of policies and guidelines, as well as written and visual materials to increase awareness regarding important themes and topics related to Staff Wellness.
• Complete administrative duties such as maintain statistics on activities and completing reporting requirements as per the requirement in the Staff Wellness Division.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Advanced University degree in Psychology, Psychiatry, Counselling or other related field. Registration as a Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Counsellor or equivalent in the country of origin is required.
• Experience: Typically five years or more of relevant experience in the field of mental health including experience in working in UN or other humanitarian organizations. Experience in hardship duty stations providing counselling services to staff working in difficult and hazardous environments is required.
• Language: Proficiency in written and verbal communication in English is required. Knowledge of intermediate knowledge of another UN language is advantageous.

Knowledge & Skills: 

• Broad knowledge of all facets of the field of counselling, and ability to provide an environment in which others can talk confidentially and act without fear or repercussions within a climate of established trust.
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written and presentations) including the ability to defend and explain difficult issues and positions to staff at all levels.
• Ability to identify clients' needs and suggest appropriate solutions.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients.
• Ability to contribute to the strategic vision of the Wellness division based on trends identified using a population health model.
• Very good working knowledge of technology tools such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
• Ability to operate effectively, and establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Conflict resolution and mediation skills

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JOB PURPOSE

• Under WFP Kenya Country Strategic Plan (CSP) Strategic Outcome 2, smallholder producers,  food-insecure and vulnerable populations are targeted to benefit from more sustainable, inclusive food  systems and increased resilience to climate shocks to meet their food and nutrition needs. With climate change increasingly acknowledged as key driver of food insecurity in Kenya by the government and other national partners, the Food Systems and Resilience Unit plans to ensure all its activities are tailored towards enhancing communities capacities to adapt to climate change and where possible also contribute to climate mitigation. This shift will be the cornerstone in the next WFP Kenya Country Office Strategic Plan (2023-27) – which is closely aligned with Government priorities and the Kenya 2022-26 United Nations Sustainable Development framework.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
Under the leadership of Strategic Outcome 2 team, the intern will:

• Visit SO2 project sites and take stock of successes, challenges and opportunities for improvements
• Collect testimonies from people and communities who benefitted from resilience and food systems activities    
• Facilitate collection of GIS locations and map existing SO2 project sites.    
• Explore opportunities for integrated actions with other SOs in targeted counties
• Support other data collection and reporting effort
• Support communication using soundbites and social media messages   
• Contribute to the development of proposals for funding and promote support to initiatives that strengthen food systems approaches
• Any other related tasks

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently enrolled in the University and have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies or have recently graduated from an undergraduate or graduate programme within the last 6 months from a university in agriculture & food systems, climate change, livestock, rural development, environment and natural resource management, watershed management, economics, social science with a relevant focus or another relevant technical field.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point), basic experience in statistical software & GIS required; experience in graphic design packages of advance (e.g Adobe Creative Suite) and video creating/editing skills (e.g. Adobe Premiere, i-Movie, etc.)
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy is essential.
• Ability to write correctly in English and to communicate matters orally and in writing.
• Should be able to maintain accurate/precise records, to perform detailed work and to handle a large volume of work quickly and accurately under time constraints.
• Should be able to work independently with minimum of supervision.
• Courtesy, tact and the ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Self-driven and ready to learn;
• Excellent analysis and writing skills required;
• Social media savvy and able to produce small clips and sound bites   
• Experience in writing article, op-ed, and creating social media contents
• Experience in photography/videography including planning, creating, and editing (e.g. storyboards, layout, etc.)  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds; and
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and pressure

SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Demonstrate understanding on climate resilience and food systems activities
• Ability to produce communication materials that build on both qualitative and quantitative information
• Timely and efficient support to the unit in providing periodic reports, briefs and other communication materials (including social media)
• At least 5 stories from the field
• Maps showing SO2 sites and linkages with other SOs

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Interns receive a monthly stipend from WFP depending on the duty station of assignment.
• WFP is not responsible for living expenses, arrangements for accommodation, necessary visas and related costs.
• WFP will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognized institutions that have been certified by competent international or national authorities such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) or Ministries of Education.
• The internship duration is 8 months, full-time.