Head of Field Office Consultant

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building peace through food assistance. Operating in challenging humanitarian and security contexts, WFP works to support people recovering from conflict, disasters, and climate change impacts. The organization values diversity, inclusion, and the professional development of its staff, striving for high-performing teams that deliver effective humanitarian aid globally.

Job Purpose

The Head of Field Office Consultant will provide overall leadership and management for the WFP Dori Sub Office in Burkina Faso. This role is crucial for overseeing the effective, timely, and high-quality implementation of WFP activities within the designated area of responsibility, aligning with the Country Strategic Plan and national priorities. The incumbent will manage field operations, ensure efficient resource utilization, and maintain accountability for staff safety and security. Key responsibilities include fostering strong partnerships with local authorities, cooperating partners, and other UN agencies, contributing to the planning and execution of food assistance programs, and ensuring compliance with WFP policies. The role demands strong analytical skills, effective people management, and the ability to navigate complex humanitarian and security environments to achieve strategic objectives and deliver life-saving assistance.

Responsibilities

The Head of Field Office in Dori, Burkina Faso, is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the WFP sub-office. This includes overseeing the effective, timely, and high-quality implementation of WFP activities in the assigned area, aligning with the Country Strategic Plan, national priorities, and WFP policies. Key responsibilities involve managing field operations to ensure efficient deployment of food assistance programs, leading the local team for high performance, and ensuring transparent people management. The role also entails efficient financial resource management, accountability for the security of staff, operations, and assets, and active participation in security management teams. Collaboration with local governments, cooperating partners, NGOs, UN agencies, and donors is crucial for identifying needs and supporting the planning and implementation of food assistance programs, including advising on appropriate transfer modalities. The Head of Field Office must develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems, conduct evaluations, and prepare comprehensive reports on operations and performance. Furthermore, fostering external partnerships, maintaining liaison with various stakeholders, and engaging with beneficiaries to ensure compliance and project objective achievement are vital. The position requires a strong understanding of the humanitarian and security context, risk assessment, and decision-making sensitive to these factors.

Work Experience

Requires 5 years of experience in developing multi-discipline work plans, field operations (preferably in hardship or emergency settings), political analysis, risk assessment, and budget management. Experience leading teams, participating in negotiations, managing complex operations, and coordinating security is also essential. Broader exposure across functional areas is beneficial.

Skills

Leadership, Management, Coordination, Humanitarian Assistance, Food Security, Programme Implementation, Partnership Building, Data Analysis, Monitoring & Evaluation, Security Management, Financial Management, Team Development, Cross-cultural Communication, Risk Assessment, Negotiation

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