Strategic/Special Assistant To The Country Director – Mogadishu, Somalia

Vacancy Announcement No. VA/2023

Job Title: STRATEGIC/SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE COUNTRY DIRECTOR

Contract Type/Grade: Consultant, Level I

Duty Station: Mogadishu, Somalia

Contract Duration: 11 Months (initial)

Date of Issue: 13th July 2023| Closing Date: 28th July 2023

Background of the Assignment

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. The Office of the Country Director (“CD”) provides strategic guidance, policy/technical support and direction to WFP operations and activities in the country.

Job Purpose

WFP Somalia is currently seeking to fill the position of Strategic/ Special Assistant, to support the Country Director (CD) and Deputy Country Directors (DCDs).

The Assistant will report directly to the CD, or the Officer in Charge in the CD’s absence and will provide support on various activities ensuring effective management of operations of the Office of the CD. They will also provide operational support to the CD acting as the key interface with all units within and outside the Country Office.

What will you do? (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority)

1. Strategic Plan Alignment & Execution Support

• Support the CD in key strategic initiatives and activities related to the operationalization of the Country Strategic Plan (“CSP”) for 2022 to 2025, such as scaling institutional capacity strengthening portfolio, building robust evidence bases in developmental activities, operating model design, and supporting the implementation of the ‘country priorities.
• Coordinate country analysis of the CSP, implementation progress, key strategic timelines, and flag alignment challenges and opportunities to the CD.
• Contribute to and be involved in building the institutional relationship with key strategic partners (donors, government and implementation partners) that are critical to the delivery of the CSP.
• Follow up with teams to ensure that insights and feedback from the CD are implemented (e.g. following field missions, following reviews of strategic activities)

1. Coordination of Activities & Operational Management of the CD’s Office

• Provide high-level operational, planning, managerial and coordination support to the CD and all aspects of the work of the Country Office.
• Work in close collaboration with the SOM CO Functional Units, Area Offices and Field Offices, coordination of inputs for cross-functional tasks and prepare briefing documents and talking points.
• Represent the CD in appointments at his discretion (e.g., interview panels for critical roles)
• Support the Country Director in meetings with donors, partners and Government as a source of operational context, follow-up on strategic issues, and relationship manager.

1. Research, Report and Presentation

• Conduct research on organizational thematic areas and other topical issues for the CD.
• Facilitate the preparation of background papers/briefing documents, statements and presentations for the CD.
• Collate, analyse and provide reports on relevant issues from internal and external stakeholders in order to provide operational awareness and understanding of events that may have a humanitarian and/or operational impact

1. Information & Communication Management of the CD’s Office

• Assist the CD in coordinating the sharing of relevant briefings within the Country Office.
• Draft statements and provide input into communications for the CD including internal messages to staff in the region and external messages with partners.
• Manage internal and external communications output, collecting and collating feedback on ad hoc issues from multiple teams and communicating it in a coherent form to the relevant audience.