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WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

ABOUT WFP

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

WFP operates in the Lao PDR under a five-year country strategic plan (CSP 2022-26) composed of four strategic objectives: i) support the development of the national school meals programme; ii) improve the nutritional status of the most vulnerable; ii) decrease the vulnerability to shock and increase the resilience of vulnerable people and; iv) respond to emergencies.

The CSP strategic objectives were design to meet national priorities and therefore contribute to the achievement of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development plan of the Government of Lao PDR. These objectives are also aligned to the UN Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2022-26) and therefore contribute to the realisation of the SDGs, in particular SDG 2 and SDG 17.

In order to implement its strategic plan, WFP collaborates with a number of line ministries (Education, Health, Agriculture, Social Welfare, Environment) and government institutions (e.g. Meteorological office) at central, provincial and district level. This collaboration is essential for the coordination with other actors, the identification of priorities in line with Government objectives, the design of capacity strengthening elements that will lead to buy-in and government ownership, and the articulation of projects between central and decentralised levels. WFP operates under the leadership of the Ministry of Planning and Investment which is essential for the overall coherence of WFP’s work in Lao PDR.

The day-to-day collaboration with Ministries and institutions is undertaken by various technical units within WFP (Programme, Logistics, Gender & Protection, Partnership). The Country Director needs an advisor that can bring a broader and more strategic perspective to its engagement with the Government of Lao PDR, and greater coherence to its capacity strengthening portfolio.

In addition, the importance of China as a partner to the WFP operation in Lao PDR is growing and requires particular attention. The Country Office needs a dedicated manager for the relationship with Chinese authorities and Chinese private entities. The consultant will dedicate part of his/her time to this task under the supervision of the Partnership unit.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Engagement with host government
• Support Management in defining WFP Laos’ strategy for engaging with key government entities, in line with policy and programmatic objectives
• Map WFP’s engagement with the government, and identify needs and gaps, across programmatic and policy work, as well as for support services
• Guide and coordinate engagement with the government across WFP units, including support units, building new links and networks
• Identify host government implementation gaps and capacity needs where WFP could be adding value
• Build trust in WFP by supplying national colleagues with materials that best represent WFP’s value proposition
• Ensure follow up on negotiations with government around funding opportunities
2. Country Capacity Strengthening (CCS)
• In coordination with technical units, map the government of Laos’ capacity strengthening needs across WFP’s areas of work
• Support management in identifying priority areas for investment in CCS
• Identify and develop South-South and Triangular Cooperation opportunities in line with WFP’s priority areas for CCS
• Advise and support technical units in the implementation of CCS initiatives
• Document best practices and use them for advocacy in collaboration with the communications unit
3. Donor engagement and fundraising (Under the supervision of the Head of Partnership)
• Track WFP’s commitments to donors across the lifecycle of contributions, including reporting and deadline management
• Research and analyze donor-related intelligence with the help of WFP’s systems
• Position WFP by ensuring supply of high-quality documents to donors in a timely manner
• Gather and share information related to contributions and donor engagement, including forecasting, using WFP’s key information systems (e.g. Salesforce, WINGS, Grants 360, FACTory)
• Contribute to the preparation and signing of funding and partnerships agreements
• Support donor meetings and engagement events
• Facilitate private sector partnership growth, liaising with programme teams
• Lead engagement with China as a donor and partner, acting as WFP’s liaison towards in-country Chinese entities, involving WFP’s China office and exploring opportunities in public and private spheres, producing materials in Chinese wherever needed
• Undertaking reporting tasks as required and assigned

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Advanced University degree in political science, international development, or other relevant field.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

Experience:
At least six (6) years of experience in international development at international organizations, non-governmental organizations or Government international cooperation services;
Experience working with WFP or the UN in a development and/or humanitarian context
Design and management of country capacity strengthening projects in partnership with host government
Knowledge and skills:
Knowledge of WFP’s mandate, structure and processes
Good interpersonal and communication skills;
Understanding of protocol and how to navigate relationships within host government entities
Good written communication skills for a diverse audience

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Duty Station: Vientiane, Laos

Contract type: Consultant- regular

Contract duration: 11 months (renewal)

Reporting: Country Director

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Posting date: 25 January 2024

Closing date: 7 February 2024

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Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.