Product Manager

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).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The United Nation's 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.
SCDD/OPU serves as the central hub for collaboration with more than 1,000 NGOs worldwide, as well as managing partnerships with state actors, national and regional government entities. It ensures efficient cooperation between WFP and its operational partners by enhance transparency and productivity in WFP’s collaborations, delivering high-quality assistance programs to beneficiaries. The unit also focuses on raising awareness, enhancing learning opportunities, building capacities, and implementing innovative partnership management approaches.
The SCDD/OPU team analyzes and transform complex financial and performance data to derive strategic insights, drive financial risk management and strengthen high-level decision-making. Leveraging advanced digital tools and innovative methodologies, the team aim to support strategic business outcomes and to enhance financial stewardship.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Product Manager will be responsible for leading and coordinating product development and evolution efforts in close collaboration with CFO business owners and corporate stakeholders.
Main responsibilities include:
• Lead strategic vision in coordination with business owners to ensure data IT solutions align with business objectives and deliver maximum value.
• Define project development and evolution roadmaps, resources needed, and budgets required for the implementation of the solutions, including transition to support under team lead.
• Coordinate with business owners/focal points and manage teams composed of internal and external technical resources to develop products that are fit for purpose, in a timely and efficient manner.
• Use appropriate project management methodologies and tools to ensure relevant teams and individuals are involved with the decision-making process, and that decisions are properly documented and communicated.
• Analyze gaps and challenges in existing processes, support systems, and tools, propose solutions including process design, methodology and technology required.
• Ensure developed solutions are coherent, consistent, fully integrated with the corporate application landscape, and aligned with OPU and corporate objectives.
• Preparing briefings, presentations, papers, demos and walkthroughs on products, roadmaps, business processes, relevant technologies and methodologies.
• Promote transformational thinking and deliver solutions that support and facilitate decision making.
• Ensure full consistency and alignment of new products with the corporate data frameworks, including enriching such frameworks with new data points.

• Regularly report on progress, issues and risks associated with product roadmaps.
• Preparing briefings, presentations, papers, demos and walkthroughs on products, roadmaps, business processes, relevant technologies and methodologies.
• Promote transformational thinking and deliver solutions that support and facilitate decision making.
• Regularly share experiences and lessons learnt with colleagues (e.g. through dedicated sessions, brown bags) to facilitate the work of other colleagues and to contribute improving the product development process.
• Train and mentor existing and new team members on methodologies and tools (e.g. agile methodology, DOTS platform, new way of working/digital transformation)
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
• Product roadmaps and backlogs developed and shared.
• Input to team's workplans.
• Product briefings, presentations, papers, and demos prepared.
• Knowledge/lessons learnt shared.
• Solutions built and rolled out with proven value added to corporate and/or field processes.
• Regular progress reports shared.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education: University Degree in Business Administration, Data Management, Information management, Statistics, Communications or other related fields of study.
Experience: Minimum 10 years post graduate progressively responsible professional experience (of which a minimum of 2-year experience working within WFP). Experience managing people, budgets, and projects. Proven record of leadership and implementation of transformational ideas. Experience working in a busy analytical environment. Experience working with teams and team processes. Experience with agile methodology and with implementing projects on WFP's DOTS platform and with cross platform integration. Expertise with design, implementation and fine-tuning of optimization models. Familiarity with AI, ML, NLP, and LLMs is a preferred criterion.
Knowledge & Skills:
The candidate must demonstrate strong leadership and people management skills, project management skills, and strong business & data analysis skills. Strong written and oral communication skills including substantive report writing skills. Ability to work in multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environments.
Languages: Fluency in oral and written English.

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.