DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

30 January 2025-23:59-GMT-05:00 Eastern Standard Time (Panama)

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).

Establish a new and independent regional presence of the WFP OBD to provide immediate and tailor-made support, responses and interventions in workplace related issues and conflicts throughout the region.

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, physical or mental disability.

Job Title: Ombuds Consultant

Type of Contract: Regular Consultant (CST Level II)

Division: Office of the Ombudsperson & Mediation Services (OBD)

Duty Station (City, Country): OBD/HQ – Outposted in the WFP Regional Bureau in Panama City, Panama

Duration: 11 months (renewable)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger. The mission of WFP is to help achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.

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.

The Office of the Ombudsperson & Mediation Services (OBD) supports employees to address any work-related problem or conflict in a confidential, informal, independent, and impartial manner.

This position is part of WFP’s Office of the Ombudsperson & Mediation Services and reports to the Senior Ombuds Officer & Mediator based in HQ. The position will be outposted in the WFP’s Regional Bureau of Latin America and The Caribbean in Panama City, Panama from where the incumbent will provide a range of conflict resolution services to the WFP employees.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Establish a new and independent regional presence of the WFP OBD to provide immediate and tailor-made support, responses and interventions in workplace related issues and conflicts throughout the region. Provide a comprehensive range of ombuds services to WFP employees while safeguarding and maintaining the principles of Ombuds practice: confidentiality, impartiality, informality, and independence. In confidential one-on-one meetings, explore with employees and managers their options for addressing their workplace concerns; provide coaching to address their issues autonomously and guide them to adequate sources of information. When required and deemed appropriate, provide the following ombuds services: mediation, facilitation, shuttle diplomacy or other intervention. Strengthen the conflict resolution skills of WFP’s employees; conduct training on various topics related to conflict resolution and management as part of OBD’s global capacity building programme. Develop a regional advocacy and outreach strategy to create awareness about the Ombuds services and the organization’s system of internal justice. Manage relationships with stakeholders and related Ombuds offices in Asia and the Pacific region and collaborate to enhance the impact of services. Identify systemic issues, trends and patterns in the workplace, and provide early warning, upward feedback and recommendations, for action to senior managers including Regional and Country Directors, and stakeholders. Maintain regular consultation with the Ombuds Office in HQ, provide input on existing and proposed policies and systemic issues. Provide relevant input from the regional perspective into the Annual Report of the Office. Incorporate gender and diversity perspectives in all areas of work. Increase accessibility to the Ombuds Services as part of the WFP system of internal justice by traveling regularly to the various offices and sub-offices in the region, and providing outreach, training and systemic feedback on location. Analyse, follow up, and close cases in coordination with the case management system of the Office. Perform any other duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: Advanced University degree in social sciences, law, administration, human

resources or other relevant field, or First University degree with

additional years of relevant work experience and/or training/courses

in alternative dispute resolution or conflict management.

Experience: Minimum of 5 (five) years of relevant experience in the field of conflict resolution, preferably with previous experience as an organizational ombudsman with knowledge of the UN system.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Conflict Resolution: Demonstrates professional competence in conflict resolution, seeking fair and equitable solutions to and prevention of employment-related problems. Demonstrates ability to respond to problems creatively and to mobilise, empower or enable other actors to respond where necessary.
• Analysis: Is able to analyse a wide range of factors affecting conflict dynamics and to identify systemic issues (with regard to policies, procedures, practices, structure, culture or attitude) and to formulate clear recommendations for addressing those issues in order to facilitate change at the systemic level.
• Communication: Is able to create a safe setting in which visitors feel comfortable in bringing forward issues or concerns, by demonstrating mature listening skills and the ability to establish rapport and gain trust and respect; speaks and writes clearly and effectively, tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience.
• Training and development: Has experience in developing, designing and delivering training programs on various topics related to the field of conflict resolution.
• Outreach and Stakeholder Management: Understands the importance of outreach and is able to deliver oral presentations to various audiences; is able to diplomatically handle sensitive information and cultivate productive relationships with target audience and stakeholders.

Languages: Fluency (level C) in English and Spanish.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Strong analytical, written and oral communication skills, as well as conceptual thinking
• Demonstrated knowledge of current best practices in organizational Ombudsperson functions and alternative conflict resolution tools and ability to adhere to professional ethical principles (independence, impartiality, confidentiality and informality)
• Demonstrable report and presentation writing skills
• Ability to build rapport and relationships with relevant constituencies
• Ability to collect, collate and analyse data in an efficient manner
• Proven ability to produce outputs independently with minimal supervision or guidance.

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following website for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org

Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: …….

Ref.: VA No. …….

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.

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 dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at [email protected]. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

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 [email protected] 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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements