Consultant, Programme Management Officer

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of extreme weather shocks.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

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WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

Job title: Programme Management Officer

Duty Station: Remote

Administrative Duty Station: Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire

Duration: 6 months with the possibility of extension

Contract type: Regular Consultancy

Consultancy Reporting to: Head of Finance and Administration

BACKGROUND

As a continental sovereign risk pool, the African Risk Capacity (ARC) is a Specialised Agency of the African Union (AU) which provides cost-effective contingency funding to African governments to execute pre-approved contingency plans in the event of severe disasters. ARC was established as a Specialized Agency of the African Union in November 2012 to help Member States improve their capacities to better plan, prepare and respond to extreme weather events and disasters and to assist food insecure populations. Operating under the privileges and immunities of the AU, the ARC Agency, through its Secretariat, provides Member States with capacity-building services for early warning, contingency planning, and risk finance.

In late 2013 the Agency established a financial affiliate called ARC Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd). ARC Ltd is a specialist hybrid mutual insurance company that issues policies to governments, and which aggregates and transfers risk to the international market. In order for a country to purchase an insurance policy and thus become a member of the Company, the country must demonstrate through a peer review process its ability to effectively use potential payouts. The evidence shows that the economic benefits of early assistance to households after a failed harvest, before they deplete their productive assets and start skipping meals, far outweigh the insurance premiums countries pay if they pool their risk through a facility like ARC.

ACCOUNTABILITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

Within delegated authority, and under the guidance of the ARC Head of Finance and Administration, incumbent would be responsible for the following duties:

•            Coordinate or provide guidance on project management and on all aspects of the ARC as required including budget management, work planning and coordination;

•            Provide guidance to staff, peer and managers on all budget matters ensuring that various items are billed to the correct trust funds as per donor agreements. In order to achieve this, the consultant should advise relevant staff on which funds are  to  be used for  various expenses and create or advise on the creation of various Funds Reservations as necessary. Monitor funds to ensure there are no unnecessary staff commitments or pre-commitments or unused Purchase Requisitions or Funds Reservations balances blocking funds. Ensure use of funds is prioritized according to funding validity dates;

•            Manage various multi-million dollar trust funds and liaise with ARC senior management, donor relations, private sector fund raising, finance, contributions management, treasury and external donors on processing of donor contracts and programming of funds, maintaining correct levels of funding in various Internal Orders and ensure project documents and financial reports are correct and submitted to donors as per their individual deadlines and that all stakeholders receive updates as required;

•            Coordinate with the ARC legal team on donor contracts, trust fund decision memos, service agreements, and other legal issues and documentation as required;

•            Advise and assist ARC senior management in building high-calibre project management capacity within ARC Johannesburg headquarters.

In addition to the specific responsibilities above, the incumbent will also:

•            Contribute to, lead or participate in meetings, presentations, discussions, donor reports and write ups;

•            Interface and outreach with partner agencies, governments, NGOs, donor partners, lead institutions in early warning, climate change and disaster risk management, and actors in the international risk markets and assist in the development and execution of joint work-programmes and partnerships, as required;

•            Represent ARC at international meetings and conferences, as necessary;

•            Perform other related duties as requested by the senior ARC staff.

•            Act as alternate to Head of Finance and Administration and provide required support for managing the Administration and HR functions for the agency.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

Ongoing tasks as per the above.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:    Advanced University degree in Finance, Business Administration, Computer Science or related fields, or First University degree in the same subject(s) with additional years of related work experience plus membership in an international recognized professional accountancy body such as Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Institute of Certified Public Accounts (ICPA) or equivalent.

Experience:  At least 8 (eight) 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. Experience in project management and budget/ finance.

Experience with WFP would be an added advantage.

Knowledge & Skills: Advanced computer skills, including at least intermediate skills in windows based word processing and spreadsheets and other standard software packages and systems. General knowledge of UN ERP system, system policies, rules and regulations and procedures governing administration an advantage.

Languages: Working knowledge (proficiency/level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate/level B) of another UN official language or WFP's working language, Portuguese, an advantage.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.