Principal Situation Coordinator

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and building pathways to peace through food assistance. WFP operates in complex environments, including conflict zones like Ukraine, where it provides critical support to affected populations. The organization values diversity, inclusion, and professional development, fostering a collaborative and high-performing workforce.

Job Purpose

The Principal Situation Coordinator (P5) will lead WFP's engagement with key stakeholders along the front lines in Ukraine, acting as a high-level representative to negotiate humanitarian access with military administrations and civilian authorities. This role is crucial for ensuring WFP's operational readiness and effective response in a challenging conflict environment. The incumbent will support the Deputy Country Director in overseeing frontline operations, bridging the gap between senior management in Kyiv and the immediate needs of affected communities. Responsibilities include leading emergency coordination, UN ceasefire preparations, and developing robust contingency plans. The position requires expertise in civil-military coordination, adapting operations to evolving conflict dynamics, including aerial threats, and managing emergency response activities to safeguard staff, assets, and beneficiaries while upholding humanitarian principles.

Responsibilities

The Principal Situation Coordinator at the World Food Programme (WFP) in Ukraine plays a critical role in managing humanitarian operations along the front lines. This position involves leading WFP's engagement with military administrations and civilian authorities to negotiate and secure humanitarian access, acting as a direct representative of the Country Director. The role also supports the Deputy Country Director in overseeing frontline operations, bridging the gap often left by senior management due to extensive coordination demands in Kyiv. Key responsibilities include overseeing emergency coordination activities, leading UN ceasefire preparation and response planning, and developing emergency assessment capacities. The coordinator will also lead cross-functional analysis to ensure coherent and efficient emergency preparedness and response, advise Global HQ on humanitarian access strategies, and represent WFP in various coordination groups. A significant aspect of the role involves leading civil-military coordination, ensuring alignment with humanitarian principles and facilitating access while respecting neutrality. The position requires expertise in the specific conflict dynamics of Ukraine, experience leading teams in crisis environments, and adaptability to evolving threats, including those posed by UAV warfare. The coordinator is accountable for applying WFP's emergency guidance and protocols, fostering an inclusive workplace, and contributing to lessons learned for future responses.

Work Experience

Requires extensive experience with Ukraine conflict dynamics, including humanitarian response innovations and managing relationships with Ukrainian Military Administrations. Proven leadership in crisis environments, with a track record of planning and executing humanitarian convoys and collaborating with diverse humanitarian actors. Expertise in operating in UAV warfare environments, adapting operations to safeguard staff and assets from aerial threats is essential.

Skills

Humanitarian Access Negotiation, Emergency Coordination, Civil-Military Coordination, Crisis Management, UN Ceasefire Planning, Humanitarian Operations Oversight, Contingency Planning, Scenario Building, Operational Readiness, Cross-functional Analysis, Humanitarian Preparedness, Conflict Dynamics Analysis, Team Leadership in Crisis, Humanitarian Convoy Planning, NGO/UN Agency Collaboration, UAV Warfare Adaptation, Staff Evacuation, Asset Recovery, International Relations, Public Administration, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Public Health, International Law

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