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.
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world 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.
Entering its 13th year of crisis, Syria is on the verge of a major humanitarian tipping point, due to the significant broadening and deepening of needs across the country, driven by armed conflicts/hostilities, plummeting economy, continued impact of the earthquake, disease outbreaks , steady collapse of public services and progressive disintegration of the rule of law. This is compounded by the ripple effects of voltages across the region. Highlighted in the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), the number of individuals requiring assistance in North West Syria increased from 4.05 million in 2023 to 4.24 million in 2024, underscoring the sustained severity of the situation and the imperative for continued support and interventions. In addition, in 2024, the WFP faces an unprecedented 60 percent funding shortfall due to increasing needs and decreasing contributions. For 2023, less than half of the $23.5 billion needed to fund its global operations was secured.
Amidst this landscape, the Head of Programme and RAM’s mandate is to develop, manage, and implement WFP strategies and policies designed to meet the dire needs of vulnerable groups. Leveraging in-depth M&E and VAM to direct strategic planning and policy formulation, the job holder will ensure that the interventions are calibrated to the identified needs. Risk management is paramount, guiding the management of emergency response initiatives, nutritional programs, and endeavors to strengthen livelihoods and resilience, all aimed at seamlessly integrating WFP’s efforts within the wider framework aimed at fostering peace, humanitarian relief, and sustainable development.
The Head of Programme and RAM will be responsible for the leadership and guidance of a multidisciplinary team comprising both national and international professionals. This team will operate across various programmatic areas, employing rigorous M&E frameworks to evaluate programme impact, adaptively manage risks, and ensure that the programs foster resilience and sustainable development.
Tasked with addressing the vital food security needs of Northwest Syria’s vulnerable groups, the Head of Programme and RAM will lead the WFP’s strategic planning, informed by robust M&E and VAM, and oversee several initiatives including emergency responses and resilience programs, ensuring they align with the broader Peace-Humanitarian-Development nexus through focused risk management.
The position will be based in Mersin, Turkiye, and will report to the NWS Head of Area Office.
Strategic Development and Management
Coordination
Education: Advanced university degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Economics, International Relations, Human Rights, Communications, or other relevant field, or first university degree with two additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
Experience: At least seven years of relevant work experience in a humanitarian organization with exposure to programme activities, emergency response, monitoring and evaluation, risk management, and identity management (IDM).
Language: Fluency (level C) in both oral and written communication in English. Working knowledge of Arabic and/or Turkish is desirable.
Knowledge & Skills:
Eligibility: This position is open to non-Turkish nationals only
Contract Type: Consultant Level II
Contract Duration: 11-months
Number of required employees: One
.All applications should be received no later than May 8, 2024, 23:59 (Turkish time, GMT+3)
Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance. WFP encourages qualified female applicants and people with disabilities to apply. Specifically for people with disabilities, WFP will ensure that reasonable accommodation measures are provided upon request.
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.