DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

Organizational Context:

As Syria navigates a new chapter marked by historic opportunities and enduring challenges, the scale of humanitarian needs remains overwhelming. Today, more than 70 percent of Syria’s population continues to depend on some form of humanitarian assistance. Over half of the population is grappling with food insecurity, with nearly 3 million people facing severe food insecurity. Around 7 million people remain displaced internally, while more than 4 million are refugees in neighbouring countries. Since December 2024, hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced Syrians have begun returning to their areas of origin. Many more plan to return and will require vital support as they reintegrate.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the largest humanitarian agency operating in Syria since 1964 and is uniquely positioned to support Syrian communities in their recovery through its expansive reach and scale. WFP’s interventions prioritize emergency relief and resilience-building efforts focused on the most severely food insecure populations. Additionally, WFP is a key actor in the country’s social protection sector also plays a vital role in strengthening Syria’s social safety-net systems.

Operating under its 2022-2026 Interim Country Strategic Plan (iCSP), WFP addresses the growing food and nutrition needs livelihood, resilience and early recovery, and reviving food systems, in close collaboration with the Syrian government and humanitarian and development stakeholders.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

As Syria navigates a new chapter marked by historic opportunities and enduring challenges, the scale of humanitarian needs remains overwhelming. Today, more than 70 percent of Syria’s population continues to depend on some form of humanitarian assistance. Over half of the population is grappling with food insecurity, with nearly 3 million people facing severe food insecurity. Around 7 million people remain displaced internally, while more than 4 million are refugees in neighboring countries. Since December 2024, hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced Syrians have begun returning to their areas of origin. Many more plan to return and will require vital support as they reintegrate.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the largest humanitarian agency operating in Syria since 1964 and is uniquely positioned to support Syrian communities in their recovery through its expansive reach and scale. WFP’s interventions prioritize emergency relief and resilience-building efforts focused on the most severely food insecure populations. Additionally, WFP is a key actor in the country’s social protection sector also plays a vital role in strengthening Syria’s social safety-net systems.

Operating under its 2022-2026 Interim Country Strategic Plan (ICSP), WFP addresses the growing food and nutrition needs livelihood, resilience and early recovery, and reviving food systems, in close collaboration with the Syrian government, humanitarian and development stakeholders.

JOB PURPOSE:

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Area Office, North East Syria and overall supervision of the Deputy Country Director (Operations), the incumbent will be responsible to plan, lead & manage field operations to ensure the effective and efficient ‎deployment of food assistance programmes and use of allocated resources, supporting the “Saving Lives & Changing Lives” aspects; leadership of WFP team, and coordination with relevant stakeholders in the area of responsibility.‎

CONTRACT DETAILS:

Contract Type: Fixed Term (FT)
Duration: 12 months
Duty Station: Deir Ezzor
Number of required employees: 1

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES (not all inclusive):

• Manage and lead WFP Deir Ezzor Field Office operations within the area of assignment to ensure timely and effective deployment of food assistance and other programmes.
• Coordinate with North East Syria Area Office and SyriaCountry Office to develop cost-effective and sustainable Programmes with short-, medium- and long-term outcomes for the Governorate that align with the objectives of the Humanitarian Development Nexus (HDN) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
• Hold accountability for the deployment of Country Office initiatives, policies and strategies in the Governorate.
• Effectively manage the Field Office to ensure transparent and efficient people management and the continued development of a cohesive and high performing team. Including setting focus on constant accountability and performance management for self and all Field Office employees as well as providing mentoring and coaching to team members.
• Ensure efficient use of financial resources for achievement of set objectives with guidance from the relevant units in the Country Office.
• Collaborate with Government stakeholders for strategic partnerships to mobilize resources for WFP activities and positioning of WFP as technical assistance partner of the Government in the Governorate.
• Develop Quarterly /Annual Work Plans with Government and UN partners.
• Hold accountability for the security of WFP staff, operations, premises and assets in the Field Office to ensure that WFP security and safety standards are locally set and followed.
• Hold accountability and/or prepare accurate and comprehensive analysis and reports on WFP operations and performance with regular and timely submission for Country Office review to identify programme support requirements and inform operational planning and decisions.
• At Field Office level, guide the development and implementation of the food security, nutrition Resilience, Drought Response, and Climate Change component in line with WFP policies, guidelines & directives.
• Collaborate with governments and other partners in identifying where food assistance can be usefully deployed at the local level and provide support and technical expertise for the planning, formulation and implementation of food assistance programmes, including advice on the context- specific transfer modalities (food, cash or vouchers).
• Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems and conduct timely monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Forge and nurture external partnerships to improve assistance packages and support complementary strategies; identify potential areas for collaborative approaches and initiatives.
• Develop and sustain liaison with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, donors, civil society, beneficiaries and other partners and media engaged in the field of food security, nutrition & resilience building.
• Engage with beneficiaries, inspect storage places and points where WFP commodities are received, to ensure compliance with WFP policies and that progress is made in the achievement of project objectives.
• Other as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Master’s degree in economics, International Development, Social Sciences or other related field, or First University Degree with additional two (2) years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience:

At least three (3) years of professional experience in programme management, leading teams, and exposure to supply chain activities with a master’s degree, or First University Degree with two (2) additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

More specifically, the ideal candidate will have prior experience in the following:

• Has developed or supported the development of work plans to support the achievement of WFP strategic aims within a defined area.
• Has exposure in field operations, preferably in a hardship duty station or emergency. With field experience via field rotations or working in a sub-office, and through field postings.
• Experience in analysing local political situations and assessing risk accurately. Having broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme etc.).
• Sound experience managing small to mid-size financial budgets and balancing priorities effectively.
• Sound experience leading mid-size teams (8+) to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
• Participated in a vendor/government/ partner negotiation within the area of focus. Participated in a small-mid level emergency operation/ development programme.
• Has experience with security coordination and compound management within a smaller area.
• Proven experience in programme management is desirable.

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in English and Arabic languages

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.