Special Assistant in The Chief of Staff's Office

**WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and**

**gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.**

**Job Title**: Special Assistant in the Chief of Staff's Office
**Type of Contract**: Regular Consultant
**Division: OED** - Office of the Executive Director
**Duty Station (City, Country)**: HQ Rome, Italy
**Duration**: 11 months
**ABOUT WFP**:
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetime. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

**ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT**:
The position is located in the Office of the Chief of Staff (CoS), which also oversees WFP’s regional bureaux. The office also manages the Operations Management Support Office (OMS) and the Global Privacy Office (GPO).
The Office provides strategic guidance to the Executive Director and works closely with the Leadership Group and the regional directors to steer the direction of the organization and ensure optimal performance throughout.
**JOB PURPOSE**:
In order to deliver on its mandate, it is essential that WFP maintains its operational aptitude and implements changes as required by the changing contexts, and the Office of the Chief of Staff plays a key role.

There is a need to strengthen the Front Office setup to ensure strong communication, optimize processes, collaboration with other offices as well as strengthened business support services to the senior management and the offices overseen by the Chief of Staff’s Office.

The Special Assistant is part of the CoS Front Office Team, reports directly to the Deputy Chief of Staff/Director of OMS, and works closely with other offices including different front office teams. The focus of the position is to directly support the Deputy Chief of Staff advising on matters of strategic importance and assist with the smooth operations of the office.

**ACCOUNTABILITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Provide advice and guidance as appropriate to the Deputy CoS/Director OMS and other colleagues.
- Coordinate the drafting and clearance of various documents, and management reports on behalf of the Chief of Staff or Deputy Chief of Staff. When appropriate take the lead in drafting documents including talking points, briefing notes, analysis or background papers.
- Keep the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff informed on matters requiring attention and ensure appropriate follow-up as directed; identify possible problems, overlaps, or disconnects, and propose options for resolving them.
- Conduct research, review and situation analysis of key documents relevant to the office. Analyze and engage in the various emerging concepts/systems/policies related to strategic corporate priorities, coordinate / consolidate feedback as appropriate.
- Liaise with other relevant actors in country offices, regional bureaux and across headquarters on a regular basis with regards to follow up on issues, priorities and decisions concerning management.
- Coordinate inputs for corporate reporting products including but not limited to Annual Performance Plan, Annual Performance Report, Corporate Risk Register and Assurance Statement. Support the overall planning, coordination and monitoring of the work plan and corporate strategic priorities.
- Proactively monitor and follow up on recommendations from the Office of Evaluation, Internal Audit, External Auditor, JIU, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division and other oversight bodies as required.
- Assist in the daily operations to achieve the objectives of OED and OMS.
- Act as the focal point for coordinating meetings/retreats and for follow-up actions.
- Perform other related duties and assignments as and when required

**QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED**:
**Education**:
Advanced university degree in development studies, international relations, public administration, business administration, economics, social sciences or related field.

**Experience**:
A minimum of six years of professional experience, including relevant work experience in the United Nations system, other international organizations, NGOs, or public-sector. Experience providing support and oversight at an executive level in international organizations or national governments. Experience on high-level engagement on international political or development matters is an asset. Field experience and donor capital experience are desired skills.

**Knowledge and Skills**:

- Strong planning, prioritization and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated negotiating, cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills.
- Ability to provide information, tools, resources to support work achieve