Strategic & Special Assistant

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace and prosperity. WFP utilizes food assistance to support people recovering from conflict, disasters, and climate change impacts. The organization values diversity, inclusion, and invests in employee development, offering a dynamic and impactful career path.

Job Purpose

The Strategic & Special Assistant will provide high-level strategic, operational, and coordination support to the Country Director (CD) and the Country Leadership Team in Yemen. This role is crucial for shaping the strategic direction of WFP's operations, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities, donor expectations, and evolving operational realities. The incumbent will act as a trusted advisor and central coordination point, facilitating effective decision-making and engagement. Key responsibilities include monitoring political and humanitarian developments, supporting the CD in high-level meetings with stakeholders, managing special assignments, and coordinating strategic planning exercises. The role also involves ensuring smooth communication, managing the CD's agenda, and preparing essential briefing materials, all while upholding the highest standards of confidentiality and discretion in a complex operating environment.

Responsibilities

The Strategic & Special Assistant to the Country Director (CD) in Yemen plays a crucial role in supporting WFP's operations. This position provides high-level strategic, operational, and coordination support to the CD and the Country Leadership Team, acting as a trusted advisor. Key responsibilities include monitoring political, humanitarian, and operational developments, translating them into actionable insights, and supporting high-level meetings with donors, government counterparts, and partners. The role involves managing special assignments and cross-cutting initiatives, ensuring effective follow-up and relationship management. Additionally, the assistant coordinates activities and manages the CD's office operations, including preparing briefing documents, facilitating communication across the Country Office, and supporting strategic planning exercises. This includes preparing high-quality briefing notes, talking points, speeches, and reports for various audiences, while maintaining confidentiality and discretion. The position requires strong analytical skills, excellent planning and organizational abilities, outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, and the capacity to work effectively under pressure in a complex humanitarian environment.

Work Experience

Requires a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in humanitarian or development contexts, preferably with international organizations. Demonstrated experience in strategic advisory, executive support, or senior-level coordination is essential. Experience in complex emergency or fragile settings is highly desirable. Proven ability to manage cross-functional processes, prepare high-level communications, and support senior leadership is also required.

Skills

Strategic Planning, Coordination, Operational Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Communication, Analytical Skills, Leadership Support, Cross-functional Collaboration, Report Writing, Problem-Solving

Explore related opportunities