DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

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 climate change.

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.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

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:

Performance Management Specialist

TYPE OF CONTRACT:

Consultancy

UNIT/DIVISION:

Human Resources Division, Career Management Branch (HRMTC)

DUTY STATION (City, Country):

Remote

DURATION:

6 months (extendible to 11 months)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) 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.

To support this mission, WFP is seeking an individual to join the Career Management Branch (HRMTC), of the Human Resources Division (HRM). The work of this branch strongly influences WFP’s approach to people management, and in turn, plays a key role WFP’s overall effectiveness. The individual will be joining a dynamic team which works on a variety of initiatives including learning and development, career management and development, performance management, WFP’s internal promotion processes, staff engagement and support to diversity and inclusion.

The purpose of the role is to provide strategic guidance and technical expertise on WFP's performance management framework, ensuring alignment with WFP HR strategic objectives, consistent application across the organization and coherent linkages with related talent initiatives. To serve as the organizational subject matter expert on performance management, advising senior stakeholders on complex cases, strengthening guidance and capability-building, and improving processes so that performance outcomes can better inform talent decisions. Lead the ongoing implementation of the engagement and activation strategy for the Leadership Framework ensuring concrete action is taken for its activation at the regional, country and field office levels; Particular focus on high-risk countries that have not participated in a field mission in 2023.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead the delivery of WFP's performance management cycle, ensuring timely implementation, quality execution, and continuous improvement.

Act as a trusted advisor to senior managers and HR leadership on performance management matters, including high-risk or sensitive cases.

Oversee global operational support for performance management processes and systems, ensuring requests are received and addressed promptly, and escalated as needed.

Oversee underperformance case management, providing expert guidance to HR colleagues/case managers, and coordinating with the Legal Office and HR Staff Relations Branch as required, to ensure consistent, well-documented, procedurally fair case outcomes.

Guide performance-based separation processes for International Professional Staff, and Administrative Staff in HQ/WFP Offices, in close collaboration with the HR Leadership, HR Staff Relations, HR Global Services Branches, and the Legal Office, to ensure due process, timely execution, and appropriate documentation.

In collaboration with HR Policy and Compliance Branch and other stakeholders, develop policies and procedures that can further the impact and effectiveness of performance management, and translate them into operational resources (toolkits, templates, SOPs).

Oversee performance management communication and outreach initiatives, including HR/manager upskilling and targeted outreach.

Strengthen HR capability globally to handle performance management matters more independently, working closely with the HR Business Partners.

Implement and develop innovative approaches to performance management, to improve compliance at all levels, and strengthen the credibility of performance outcomes for talent decisions.

Lead on the management of WFP's corporate platforms for performance management (PACE 1, PACE 2, and Workday), partnering with the HR Technology and Analytics Branch to coordinate systems implementation and maintenance. 

Ensure performance management reporting and insights are available and fit for purpose, including monitoring completion and data quality, and translating findings into recommendations and targeted actions.

As a senior member of the branch, contribute to integrated talent and learning processes, ensuring coherent linkages with performance management.

Support and manage other HR processes that aim to improve efficiency and effectiveness of WFP's workforce.

Lead and motivate a team, monitor performance, providing coaching, training and guidance to ensure appropriate development and enable high performance.

Represent WFP in internal and external engagements related to performance management, and contribute to related talent initiatives as required. Represent WFP in internal and external engagement related to performance management

Assist with other projects and initiatives within the team, as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

Appropriate advice and guidance given on topics related to performance management

Support provided to managers and staff in cases related to underperformance, including providing correct documentation and following established procedures for performance-based separation

Relevant inputs shared as part of underperformance related policy development

Communication and outreach initiatives completed related to upskilling of HR colleagues globally

Global performance management technology platforms maintained Support sessions delivered to better enable managers to complete high quality performance assessments

Leverage AI to improve efficiency in case documentation

Long service awards exercise launched

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Human Resource Management, Public or Business Administration, Industrial Psychology or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience or trainings/courses.

Experience:

• Eight years or more (of which three international) of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in Human Resources with a strong focus in performance management and significant experience with managing large teams. 

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

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

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.