Jefe de Oficina

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger globally. In Colombia, WFP supports the national government's Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), through innovative interventions like cash transfers and local procurement from smallholder organizations. WFP operations in Colombia focus on vulnerable populations, aiming to meet immediate food needs while strengthening resilient livelihoods and adaptation to climate change.

Job Purpose

The Head of Office (Jefe de Oficina) will provide strategic, operational, and representative leadership for WFP's presence in the departments of La Guajira, Magdalena, Cesar, and Atlántico. This role is responsible for the effective, efficient, and timely implementation and coordination of WFP programs and projects in the region, ensuring operational alignment with partners, authorities, and key stakeholders. The Head of Office will also manage the field office, fostering a cohesive and high-performing team, oversee resource utilization, ensure security protocols, and lead the development of strategic alliances. A key aspect of this position is representing WFP to local authorities and promoting partnerships to enhance the quality and impact of interventions, while proactively managing operational, programmatic, and security risks.

Responsibilities

The Head of Office is responsible for the comprehensive management of the field office, fostering a cohesive, motivated, and high-performing team with a culture of accountability. This includes planning, coordinating, and supervising operations to ensure effective, efficient, and timely assistance delivery, while proactively resolving daily operational challenges. The role demands vigilant oversight of resource utilization, ensuring transparency and alignment with approved plans, and promptly reporting any deviations. A critical responsibility is ensuring the safety and security of personnel, operations, facilities, and assets, adhering strictly to established security protocols. The Head of Office also plays a key role in the Area Security Management Team (ASMT), contributing to security analysis and decision-making. They are tasked with monitoring and evaluating activities, producing timely and accurate reports for the country office, and developing effective relationships with local authorities to enhance food security preparedness and response. Furthermore, the position involves leading strategic partnerships with governmental bodies, UN agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to improve the quality and impact of WFP interventions, ensuring regular field presence to guarantee operational quality and institutional visibility. The role also encompasses close leadership of the field team, promoting a safe, inclusive work environment, and coordinating effectively with country office technical units to ensure programmatic alignment and efficient operations. Strategic and technical soundness of proposals and the program portfolio are also key, as is strengthening the capacities of the field team and implementing partners. Finally, the Head of Office represents WFP in localization processes and leads Territorial Action Plans, ensuring articulation with local authorities and partners, and responding effectively to country office requirements.

Work Experience

The role requires a postgraduate degree in relevant fields with 5 years of experience in humanitarian aid and social development projects, or a professional degree with an additional two years of relevant experience. Essential experience includes analyzing political contexts and territorial dynamics, managing financial resources, leading multidisciplinary teams, and working in similar geographical or operational contexts. Fluency in Spanish and English is also required.

Skills

Leadership, Team Management, Project Management, Operations Management, Risk Management, Financial Resource Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Partnership Development, Security Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Capacity Building, Intercultural Communication, Spanish Proficiency, English Proficiency

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