DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

5 January 2025-23:59-GMT Greenwich Mean Time (Accra)

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).

Vacancy Announcement
No. WFP/GHA/HeadOps/ACC/December/2024

HEAD OF OPERATIONS

Deadline for Application: 14 days from day of publication

The Office of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) Accra invites applications from suitable candidates to fill the vacancy below.

Job Title : Head of Operations
Duration : 1 year (Renewable)
Post Grade : NOC
Contract Type : Fixed Term
Duty Station : UNHRD-Accra, Ghana

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT
Global hunger has reached alarming levels in 2022, and WFP, the Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2020, remains dedicated and committed to address this global food crisis. The United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) is a network of strategically located hubs established to support humanitarian organizations and the broader international community in responding to emergencies and crises. UNHRD provides essential services such as storage, easy access to critical supplies, and technical assistance.
As an Operations Manager at WFP-UNHRD Accra Hub of the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD), reporting directly to the Hub Manager, your role is pivotal in leading and coordinating the hub’s operational activities. You will oversee Logistics and Warehousing, Procurement, and Customer Service units, ensuring efficient service delivery aligned with UNHRD’s mission.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As the Operations Manager, you play a central role in ensuring the effective operation of the hub, contributing to UNHRD’s mission of providing humanitarian support with excellence.
1. Oversee logistics services, including stock maintenance, receipt, loading/offloading, customs clearance, and stock deployment. Oversee warehouse operations and align operational activities with corporate requirements,
2. Lead the operations team, providing guidance to each unit (Logistics, Procurement, Customer Service, Warehouse Management). Maintain clear reporting lines for effective coordination, alignment, and guidance within the UNHRD hub. Ensure that the respective teams comply with WFP rules, regulations, policies and procedures in their area of activity and properly implement and use corporate systems, such as WINGS, WMS and others.
3. Ensure seamless coordination between units for integrated service delivery and foster a collaborative work environment for streamlined operations, encouraging team performance and contribution to UNHRD’s vision,
4. Manage capacity strengthening efforts in logistics, warehouse management, customer service, etc at the hub level and ensure activities are aligned with the UNHRD network strategy,
5. In line with WFP rules and regulations and under the guidance of the Network procurement team, oversee procurement activities relative to specific hub,
6. Lead the customer service unit’s activities, focusing on “Strengthening Cooperation” as a priority. Manage key accounts and ensure customer satisfaction,
7. Liaise with service providers, partners and stakeholders as/when required to ensure smooth operations such as Freight Forwarders, relevant governmental and local authorities, suppliers, contractors, local and regional partners in undertaking UNHRD’s mandate,
8. Follow standard emergency preparedness practices for a quick response during crises, ensuring readiness of needed resources to deploy,
9. Contribute to continuous improvement, aligning with UNHRD’s mission and corporate standards.
10. Follow standard emergency preparedness practices for a quick response during crises.
11. Working together with the communication and reporting teams, ensure proper documentation of activities, including relevant data, for communication, reporting and advocacy purposes.
12. In the absence of the Hub manager, act as Officer-in-Charge and at all times, you will support the Hub manager.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE
Advanced University degree in logistics, supply chain management, procurement, or other relevant field related to the advertisement.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:
• Minimum 5 years post-graduate relevant professional experience.
• Extensive experience in humanitarian logistics, procurement, and customer service roles is required.
• Ability to develop sourcing and delivery strategies to ensure UNHRD is ready to support emergency response.
• Knowledge and experience in managing custom clearance is a key requirement.
• Contract management experience is required.
• Partnership skills, ability to engage with stakeholders and partners, advocate for UNHRD work and represent UNHRD when needed.
• Has proven experience in leading, motivating and coordinating teams.
• Strong leadership, coordination, conflict management and communication skills.
• Proficiency in English and in the local language are required; proficiency in another UN language is an asset.
• Strategic thinking, taking initiatives and being proactive.
• Problem-solving, analytical thinking, data management.

LANGUAGE:
Fluency and good command of the English language is essential.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants should submit their applications and CV stating 3 references online to: www1.wfp.org/careers/job.openings and follow the steps.

Qualified Female Candidates are encouraged to apply
People living with disability are also encouraged to apply
Only shortlisted candidates meeting the criteria will be contacted.
Note:
1. WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.
2. WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
3. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.

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 global.inclusion@wfp.org. 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 global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org 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