Programme Officer Head of West Bank Operations

World Food Programme- Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) is Inviting both female and male to apply for the following position:

Deadline for applications: 10th October 2011
Job Title:Programme Officer –Head of West Bank Operations 
Contract:Fixed Term
Grade:NOC
Location:Jerusalem Office        

Supervision received: The Programme Officer reports to the Head of Unit, Deputy Country Director , Country Director or their designees.

Accountabilities: Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and thus are not all-inclusive nor are all duties carried out by all Programme Officers)
-Responsible for overall programme management which includes implementation and monitoring of programmes and activities in the region;
-Develop and sustain liaison with key professionals and NGOs engaged in the field of food security;
-Oversee preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports including proposals for improvements in operation and the scope of programmes;
-Assess the need for food in emergency and refugee/displaced person situations, draw up plans for its timely arrival in coordination with government and other donors, and monitor the implementation of these plans;
-Assist the government in identifying fields of development where food aid can be usefully employed and give assistance in planning, formulating, and targeting recipients for new requests for WFP aid;
-Liaise with project implementing authorities and undertake visits to view project outputs and beneficiaries, inspect storage places and points where WFP commodities are received in the country, in order to ensure that progress is made in the achievement of project objectives;
-Design and maintain databases of indicators relating to food security and WFP projects;
-Provide continuing liaison with bilateral food aid programmes, with UN agencies and with NGOs providing technical or other forms of assistance to WFP assisted projects.
-Advise the government on the handling, transport, storage and distribution (including marketing of commodities, if sold) of the commodities supplied by WFP;
-Assist the government on the maintenance of all records, accounts and books as stipulated in the Plan of Operations or the Letter of Understanding and ensure that reports required for WFP are accurate and provided as scheduled;
-Prepare periodic reports on the progress of operational projects and related government plans;
-Ensure compliance with WFP’s policies, criteria and procedures with respect to food aid;
-Assist Regional and Country Directors and Programme Advisers in all matters related to the delivery of WFP emergency assistance and bring to the attention of appropriate regional/country staff any administrative constraints arising from rapidly evolving emergency situations in the field;
-Assist Country Director and/or Programme Advisor in preparation/update of the early warning, risk analysis and contingency planning in order to respond to humanitarian crises. Periodically monitor the management of risks and report on any actions taken;
-Supervise other programme staff; provide training and technical guidance in their work;
-Perform other related duties as required.

Expected Results:
Well prepared, analytical work; well managed projects, programmes and/or operations. Preparation of documents/operations which bring together country programmes in a manner which reflects strategic regional/country strategies and executive decisions. Effective coordination with other units and Headquarters, which leads to adequate delivery of required resources.


Critical Success Factors:
 Good analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, tact, negotiating skills; ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds. Ability to cope with situations which may threaten health or safety; flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts and staff within the office, host population, donors, NGOs and other UN agencies; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under his/her supervision. Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Competencies:

Action Management
Defines work goals and devises plans to attain them. Delegates work appropriately to team members. Follows up on issues and actions to ensure that objectives are achieved. Analyses potential problems and makes recommendations in a proactive manner.

Communication
Provides clear messages on complex information in area of expertise. Values different viewpoints and facilitates constructive discussion. Anticipates the audience’s reactions to messages and adapts communication accordingly.

Ethics & Values
Maintains consistent expectations of staff performance. Applies sound ethics in financial, human resources and business decisions. Takes prompt actions in case of unprofessional behavior of staff.

Teamwork
Recognises interdependencies in cross-functional work. Facilitates the exchange of divergent or opposing opinions within the team. Seeks mutually acceptable solutions by trying to understand the concerns and opinions of others.

Client Orientation
Understands the changing needs and expectations of clients. Ensures that staff meet client needs. Works cooperatively with other units/divisions/offices, etc, to meet client needs. Allows clients to actively participate in and contribute to decisions that are relevant to their needs. Makes adjustments to services as required.

Cognitive Capacity
Actively seeks information from a variety of sources. Synthesises information based upon in-depth understanding of issues. Draws solid conclusions and/or recommendations. Anticipates the impact or consequence of solutions or proposed ideas.

Interpersonal Relations
Solicits and incorporates varied concerns and perspectives of others in daily work. Recognises and defuses potentially confrontational situations. Participates in cross-unit/division/office work in a manner that fosters strong working relationships and trust.

Stamina & Stress Resistance
Encourages others to maintain a work-life balance. Expresses concerns constructively and calmly in stressful situations. Identifies and proactively responds to the early signs and symptoms of stress.

Behavioural Flexibility
Actively participates in change by questioning methods, making suggestions. Makes appropriate adjustment in work behaviours/roles based on new information, changing situations and priorities. Analyses the impacts of change on area of expertise.

Qualification and Education:
Education:
Advance university degree in one or more of the following disciplines: economics, agriculture, international affairs, business administration, social sciences, development studies or a field relevant to international development assistance.

Experience:
 At least five years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in public sector management, development projects, emergency assistance, and/or operational aspects of national, bilateral or multilateral food aid or commercial transactions.

Knowledge:
Training and/or experience utilising computers, including word processing, spreadsheet and other standard WFP software packages and systems. General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration.

Language:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in the UN language in use at the duty station and in the duty station’s language, if different.


Interested candidates are requested to send their resumes to:
UN / World Food Programme
By E-mail to:  [email protected]

Applications must be received by 10th  October 2011 @ 15:00hrs

 Only short-listed candidates meeting the required qualifications will be contacted.