UNWFP - Beirut - Senior Programme Associate (Refugee Response) SC7

Job Purpose

The position is based at the Country Office, the job holder will be responsible for technical work including the planning, implementation and co-ordination of activities that require thorough

understanding of programme/project context, issues, and ability to apply a range of guidelines/practices. They independently handle a wide range of specialized programme or policy support activities and may be involved in analytical work. The incumbent need to demonstrate initiative in the identification and resolution of a wide range of issues/problems, and effectively handle unforeseen situations. The incumbent will also be providing support to policy and programme design, monitoring and implementation of activities under the Strategic Outcome 1 of the Lebanon Country Strategic Plan 2018-2022, that seeks to effectively meet the food and basic assistance needs of refugees and other crisis affected people. This is done in close collaboration with other Country Office Units, Field Offices, Government Entities and other partners and Cooperating Partners.

Key Responsibilities (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):

To provide effective coordination and specialized support to a full range of policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs., the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide specialized expertise and contribute towards the development of project activities, plans and processes within the specific technical area of work ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidelines.
• Provide efficient coordination and specialized project management support to a range of specific and/or defined programmes to ensure that the various activities are performed within the established targets following WFP’s policies and procedures.
• Provide specialized project management support to programmes under the field office (Syrian Emergency response) to ensure that the various activities are performed within the established targets following WFP’s policies and procedures.
• Prepare a variety of elaborated reports and substantial data analysis (e.g. food assistance needs, resource utilization, programme status, performance) and make recommendations to supervisors, ensuring deliverables adhere to corporate standards and quality control.
• Lead and ensure accurate, timely recording of data within the specific technical area of work (e.g. assistance programmes, food security and vulnerability assessments) and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Coordinate and liaise with internal counterparts on a range of complex matters to enable effective collaboration, implementation and monitoring of ongoing project activities.
• Foster relationships and support partnership-building with local partners, agencies, NGOs and government institutions to perform accurate food security analyses and to ensure efficient delivery of food assistance.
• Support the capacity building of WFP staff, cooperating partners and national government within a specific technical area.
• Act as an escalation point for complex query resolution on all matters within the area of responsibility.
• Manage a team of support staff, providing advice, guidance, and training, to ensure individual and team objectives are delivered to agreed standards and deadlines.
• Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP can quickly respond and deploy needed resources to affected areas at the onset of the crisis
• Perform other duties as required

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong analytical, written and oral communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team; ability to plan and organize work with minimum supervision; ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines; General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures is desirable.
• Proficient computer skills, including Access, SQL and Excel.

Standard Minimum Qualifications: 

Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the functional area is desirable. A first level university degree in Business Administration, International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance would be an asset.

Experience:  At least six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in direct implementation of humanitarian food assistance cash-based programmes (CBT). Experience in programme implementation with increased level of responsibility is a plus.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in Arabic and English. Fluency in another UN language is a plus.