Consultant Information Technology

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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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.

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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).

JOB TITLE: ETC Programme Lead
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Consultant
UNIT/DIVISION: ETC/TECF
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Rome, Italy.
DURATION: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. The WFP Technology Emergency Preparedness & Response Branch (TECF) is responsible for coordinating and managing the IT response to emergencies for WFP and - as the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) lead agency - the wider humanitarian response community. As the operational branch of WFP Technology Division, this branch leads global coordination, advocacy, and partnerships for the ETC. In the light of Humantarian Reset, UN 80 and newly launched ETC strategy, the position is to strengthen its position of mandate and aims of the cluster, and support all those preparing and responding to humanitarian emergencies, including governments and affected people – eventually to have access to vital communications services and governments are prepared with better capacities.
In order to fulfil its mandate, there is a need for a ETC Programme lead based at our Headquarters in Rome, Italy to lead the strategic area of ETC operations, and services provision to humantarians, affected communities and government preparedness.
Under the direct supervision of the Global ET Cluster Coordinator, the candidate will be expected to lead strategic support, manage team, guidance, and implementation towards ETC 2030 i.e., empowered communities and regional and local preparedness. The candidate will also be expected to closely coordinate with other wider stakeholders (i.e., WFP, governments, local partners, etc.) and spearhead thought leadership and support effective partnerships to form meaningful contribution of the ETC towards an efficiant and effective humantarian reset.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

•Provide strategic guidance and leadership to the project teams, working closely with a wide array of partners to ensure that the project interventions for governments and populations to support implementation of ETC2030 strategy in line of Humantarian Reset and UN80..

•Devise high level plan for Preparedness and S4C key miles stones, deliverables and KPI in line with new IT strategy and ETC Strategic Implementation Plan.

Devise yearly plan for 2026 for both S4C and preparedness, designating clear roles and responsibility among the team for efficient project delivery.

•Design and lead the development and monitoring of work plans and budgets for all activities in the project portfolio for affected populations and preparedness.

•Manage the team, providing direction and guidance and specialized technical advice on related project planning, implementation, monitoring and timely reporting.

•Engage with partners and fine tune operational support and service model for protracted crises especially for connectivity services.

•Strengthen relationships with ETC partners and advocate for rights and mandate lead by other ETC and its partner organizations.

•Support ETC secretariate in integrating of response and prepredness effeorts to complement and support discussions and guidance in line of humantarian reset.

•Support the capacity building team to further increase knowledge, skills and attitude of related personal towards effective implementation of operational support in the field.

•Support the advocacy and visibility for ETC's workplan, with focus to increase participation and consultation among global ETC partners.

•Support in fundraising, project proposals and donor briefs.

•Perform other related duties as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

•A minimum of 4x assigned ETC operations provided with guidance and support.

•Design regional preprednes interventions and provide oversight.

•Devise S4C and preparedness workplan reporting quarterly in 2026 on activities and funds.

•Provide support and guidance to connectivity as aid portfolio.

•Regular engagement with at least 2x partners.

•Finalize Social Return of Investment, Connectivity as aid and Minium Technical guidelines, with consultation of partners.

•Provide strategic support to humantrian reset and UN80 discusions.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:

•Advanced university degree in Humanities, development studies, international affairs, or in related discipline of social sciences any related discipline.
Experience:

•Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in management of projects, of which minimum 5 years of experience in program management in crisis-affected or post- conflict countries.

•Experience with an international development organization, especially with UN is an asset.

•Demonstrated experience in managing large delivery-oriented projects in a timebound context is a must.

•Experience of engaging with donors and private sector partners .

•Experience in the conducting research and analysis activities;

•Experience managing personnel with direct reporting including M&E.

Knowledge & Skills:
Skills may include but not limited to the following:

•Knowledge of latest technology trends and innovations in humanitarian and development contexts;

•Excellent written and oral English communication skills; Excellent presentation and problem-solving skills; Excellent leadership and management skills;

•Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;

•Ability to actively listen and incorporate different perspectives into the work process;

•Ability to plan and organize work programme; ability to work with minimum supervision under own initiative;

•Good analytical, negotiating and communication skills;

•Demonstrated problem-solving skills ability to conceptualize issues, think in abstract terms, and analyze numerical data;

•Flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description.

•Flexibility to travel from duty station on short notice to serve in remote areas or during emergencies for extended periods.
Languages:
Proficiency in English is a must. Intermediate knowledge of at least one other official UN
language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP's
working languages) desirable.

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: 

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 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.