ABOUT WFP

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.

ABOUT WFP Kyrgyzstan office

WFP has been present in the Kyrgyz Republic since November 2008. Its mission is to use food assistance to help eradicate hunger and poverty by giving food and/or cash and voucher resources to people whose food consumption is inadequate in order to help them survive, grow or take advantage of development opportunities. WFP in the Kyrgyz Republic around 80 staff members including both national and international in two offices. There is one office in Bishkek and a sub-office in Osh. The majority of the project activities are concentrated in the southern part of the country due to the fact that there are more poor and vulnerable people. WFP has all the necessary capacity for implementation of activities related to food security and nutrition, Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping, monitoring and implementation, expertise in governance and policy development, engineering, agriculture, social protection, gender, rural development and others.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

*WFP's Country Strategic Programme (CSP) in the Kyrgyz Republic

CSP's five Strategic Outcomes: Strategic Outcome 1: All primary school-aged children in the Kyrgyz Republic have access to safe, adequate and nutritious food all year round;

Strategic Outcome 2: Vulnerable and food insecure smallholders, particularly women, in vulnerable areas of the Kyrgyz Republic, have enhanced livelihoods and increased resilience to shocks to support food security and nutrition needs all year round;

Strategic Outcome 3: Food-insecure communities in areas vulnerable to climate change have improved food systems and are more resilient to shocks all year round; and

Strategic Outcome 4: Government institutions at the central and decentralized levels have strengthened capacities for comprehensive food security and nutrition management by 2030.

In response to COVID-19 emergency, Outcome 5 was created for a shorter time intervention (till 2021, can be extended) under the current CSP titled as follows: Vulnerable populations in Kyrgyzstan are supported to meet their food security and nutrition needs to enable their early recovery during and in the aftermath of crisis. Head of Sub-Office will participate actively in the discussion of emergency operation, socio-economic interventions targeting in particular youth, migrants, girls and women, providing inputs from the field perspectives.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

• • Manage Osh Field-office (located in the south of Kyrgyz Republic (KR) and covering 3 southern provinces - Osh, Jalalabad and Batken) that supports and implements development operations under the current Country Strategic Programme (CSP)(2018-2022)*;
  • Define and implement WFP policies and strategies for the Sub Office, consistent with the broader policies and strategies established by the Country Director and national authorities in Osh, Jalalabad and Batken;
  • Ensure effective management of WFP operations in the area of responsibility; this includes the coordination of Programme and Logistics activities and correct implementation of WFP rules and regulations related to Administration, Staffing, Finance and Budget;
  • Monitor the food security situation and vulnerabilities analysis of VAM in the area of responsibility, identify areas of intervention and needs for food and cash, plan the utilisation of resources made available to WFP and coordinate timely delivery of food aid to the beneficiaries;
  • Manage Development programmes under the CSP in the south, where about 70-80% of the country activities are implemented through providing quality assurance over project selection, overseeing regular field visits to ensure that progress is made in the achievement of project objectives and strong M&E mechanism in place;
  • In close coordination with CO Bishkek, implement all five outcomes of the CSP in the south: i) Ensure its smooth and sustainable approach by increasing ownership of local authorities and community through active engagement as a controlling tool and co-financing mechanism. Regular review and advise on diverse approach to contribute to knowledge management and capacity building of engaged stakeholders. ii) Strengthen social safety net/social protection system, strengthen linkages and trust between local authorities and the community, activeness and engagement of the community on implementing local development plan, as well as strengthen resilience of most vulnerable food insecure community. iii) Ensure smooth and timely implementation of School Meals activities within Outcome 1, in close partnership with Cooperating Partners Government stakeholders and schools. iv) In close coordination with Peace Building Fund (PBF) secretariat and WFP's Outcome Managers manager, coordinate Peace Building project amongst other participating UN agencies in Batken and implement peacebuilding and cross boarder activities. Ensure smooth implementation and initiate where possible innovative implementation mechanism, through close monitoring to ensure project sustainability. v) Facilitate lessons-learned from the CBT scale-up and support the positioning of WFP in cash-based safety net measures.
  • Advocate WFP and UNSDGs, and its objectives in all meetings with partners and stakeholders. Initiate and undertake regular field missions for donor organizations and Embassies;
  • Responsible for consolidation of Annual Performance Planning in coordination with the reporting unit in Bishkek and contributions to upcoming evaluations and assessments;

• Manage all resources, including food, finance and personnel in the Osh Field Office;
• Undertake and monitor visits to view project outputs and beneficiaries, inspect storage places and points where WFP commodities are received, in order to ensure that progress is made in the achievement of project objectives and monitoring resources are effectively used;
• Liaise with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, donors, beneficiaries and pipeline agencies for the purpose of harmonizing and coordinating of ongoing and future food assistance activities;
• Transmit clear, comprehensive information and well prepared periodic and ad-hoc reports on the progress of operational projects to the Country Office and make recommendations and/or proposals for improvements in operations;
• Bring to the attention of CO any administrative and/or security constraints in the delivery of food assistance and WFP operation;
• Advise the government on the handling, transport, storage and distribution of the commodities supplied by WFP and on the maintenance of all records and accounts;
• Manage WFP premises (offices, warehouses, etc) to ensure that they are always clean, healthy, safe and secure; Ensure that the maintenance and utilisation of WFP assets (IT equipment, vehicles, fuel, etc) is in line with the WFP regulations;
• Contribute to preparedness actions, such as early warning, risk analysis and contingency planning and make the necessary recommendations. Periodically monitor the management of risks and report on any actions taken;
• Supervise staff, provide training and technical guidance in their work;
• Perform other related duties as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

Expected Results:

Effective management and supervision of the Field Office; Well managed projects, programmes and/or operations under the new CSP including effective utilisation of human, financial and food resources; Leadership skills are demonstrated in managing the office and in representing WFP; Problems are analyzed and solutions are proposed to the Country Office management in a proactive manner and the implementation of change initiative supported; Timely delivery of food assistance to the beneficiaries; Effective coordination with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, donors, beneficiaries and cooperating agencies towards the achievement of project objectives.

Critical Success Factors:

Conceptual and analytical capacity and leadership skills; Resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement, tact, negotiating skills; Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing in English and Russian; Flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description where necessary; 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 motivate staff; Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: Advanced university degree or university degree with experience and advanced training/courses in one or more of the following disciplines: social sciences, finance, business administration or management.

Experience: Relevant experience on programme or office management is required

Knowledge & Skills: 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.

Languages: Excellent spoken and written English. Knowledge of Russian is also required. Knowledge of Kyrgyz is an asset, and knowledge of any other language in the region also valued.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

JOB TITLE: Head of Field Office

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Regular Consultancy

DURATION & START DATE:

Seven (7) months, annually renewable

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Field Office in Osh, Kyrgyzstan

REPORT TO (JOB TITLE): The Head of Field Office will be directly supervised by the Deputy Country Director and under the general supervision of the Country Director and Representative.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application not later than Sunday, 25th of April 2021.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply