Food Programming Technical Lead

Job Description

Job description
With over 70 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places.

Come join our 34,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

International Assignment (WVI – Paid via GCLA) Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Job Description:

Job Purpose

The Food Programming Technical Lead will provide strategic, operational, and technical oversight and management of the Food program within the WV Somalia Country Office. The position will provide day-to-day leadership to the portfolio that comprises funding from WFP and UNICEF, ensuring that the program is managed according to WV Disaster Management Team, and donor standards. S/He should have proven experience in the use of technology such as Last Mile Mobile Solutions (LMMS), and Scope, in beneficiary registration, and selection, with a desire to prevent or minimize post-aid diversion.

Leading a team of Project Managers, the incumbent will work with the Programme development unit, in the development and design of proposals, ensuring linkages with other sectors such as Nutrition, Health, Food Security, And Livelihoods.

The Food Programme Technical Lead will be the focal person for all communication with WFP, on all matters related to programming, and implementation. Reporting to the Associate Director -Operations, the role will furthermore be expected to strengthen the capacity of staff, to deliver timely interventions to the most vulnerable people. S/He will oversee the implementation, planning, and distribution of Goods In Kind, within the National Office.

Key Job Responsibilities:

(a) Provision of Technical Leadership to the Food Assistance Team.

Provide strategic oversight and leadership of the Country Food Assistance Program, in compliance with Disaster Management Group (DMT) policies, WFP standards, USAID/BHA regulations, and other Donor policies
Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the DM Regional Food and Cash Technical Advisors throughout the life of the project.
Ensure strong communication and coordination with all team members as a means to effectively, achieve program objectives.
Spearhead innovation and creativity within the food assistance programs to ensure cost competitiveness and value for money.
Conduct regular Enterprise Risk Management exercises, audits, and reviews with the Food and Cash Assistance Project Manager to identify potential compliance risks and implement corrective actions.
Support the Food programming compliance Manager, in the prevention/minimizing of Post Distribution Aid Diversion (PDAD) and ensuring that WV Somalia is a thought leader and is represented in all PDAD forums.
Develop and implement systems and mechanisms to combat and prevent aid diversion within the supply chain;
(b) Provide leadership in GIK Planning, Management & Reporting.

Ensure timely GIK planning, management & reporting as well as compliance with relevant GIK standards.
Ensure donated resources are utilized for the maximum benefit of the children and communities World Vision is working with in support of our global Child Well Being Aspirations/2025 strategy.
Facilitate the integration of GIK resources into technical programs;
(c) Grant Acquisition.

Lead the WFP/WV Partnership negotiations processes involving WFP, FAO, UNICEF, Government, and other Donors, GC-DM, and Response Leadership eventually culminating in the signing of MOUs, Field Level Agreements and Joint Partnership Implementation Agreements (JPIAs).
In collaboration with the Grant Acquisition Management team, participate in the development of new project proposals/concept notes; and explore opportunities for growth and diversification of the Food and Cash Assistance Program portfolio;
(d) Commodities Accounting, Reporting & Compliance.

Ensure that the Programme Reports (narrative and financial) are accurate and reliable with the relevant supporting documentation available and submitted timely to Management, DMT, WFP, and other Donors (quarterly, semi-annual, annual, and end-of-program or as per donor requirement).
Ensure an effective reporting system to produce timely and accurate commodities/vouchers reports to WV Somalia, DMT (in line with DMT Performance Matrix Indicators), and donors and to other partners, including providing oversight of the Commodity Tracking System (CTS) program, ensuring timely submission of quality narrative and financial reports.
Lead in the preparation and submission of monthly Food programming management reports (MMR) to the management within deadlines.
Gather and compile information from the Project Managers and prepare overall performance progress reports (monthly and quarterly reports) detailing achievements against plan and variance regularly.
Take the lead in ensuring that all 5 UN projects are posted in the Disaster Grants Database, and tracked every month;
(e) Budgetary Control.

Manage all food and GIK resources in collaboration with the Finance Department and ensure spending and expenditures are within budget and adhere to donor requirements. Ensure no over / underspending on projects.
Ensure compliance with program financial management practices complies with all relevant sections of the Field Financial Manual – FFM (inventory, finances, capital assets, and administrative procedures of the Food Assistance department to conform to WV standards).
Ensure invoices are submitted on time to WFP, regular follow-ups are done, reimbursements are received timely and Settlement Agreements (SAs) are processed in a timely manner
Oversee supply and equipment, procurement, acquisition, disposition, and management in compliance with WV internal and donor requirements.;
(f) People Management.

Define work responsibilities (clear JDs fully signed by all staff), and reporting relationships for all staff under the Department.
Conduct ongoing reviews of staff performance in line with the WV performance management system, creating opportunities for appropriate feedback.
Lead capacity building of the team to meet established standards through on-the-job training, workshops, mentoring, and any other appropriate methods.
Ensure fast track recruitment and appointment in coordination with the P&C department for timely projects implementation.
Lead the Food and Cash Assistance team in a way that facilitates a high-performance culture, open trustworthy relationships, and integrity, promotes a culture of learning and development, employee engagement, and good stewardship of human capital.
(g) Network & Collaboration.

Establish linkages and pursue opportunities to partner with other NGOs, CBOs, local authorities, and the UN Clusters, and coordinate interventions to avoid duplication and conflicts of interest.
Engage Area Managers on strategic and operational matters of the food and cash programs.
Attend key humanitarian meetings in coordination with other departments (Food Security, Cash Working Group, Nutrition & Education).
Work with the DM team for all technical and programmatic engagements related to the cash, food, and GIK assistance
Ensure that MOUs are in place with SOs, Govt, the UN, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
Skills and qualifications
Required Education, Qualifications/Knowledge for the Role:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Agriculture, Social Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, Livelihoods, etc.).
A Master’s degree in Humanitarian Assistance or related field from a recognized University will be an advantage
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in Food, Cash and Resilience Programming; designing, planning, implementing, supervising, and reporting on Food Assistance Programming and at least 3 years’ experience in Food and NFI management.
Skills in resilience and livelihood programming are an added advantage.
International experience, managing staff from multiple backgrounds and contexts
Excellent proposal development skills and familiarity with UN WFP grant regulations
Must have proven networking and donor engagement skills
They must have both an extensive conceptual understanding of and demonstrated practical command for implementing program design, management, and evaluation principles:
Result-orientated leader who can manage and satisfy multiple and at times competing organizational, donor, and other stakeholder demands.
Must also have solid public relations skills and be a strong team player.
Must be an analytical, innovative, and self-managed leader.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills. English with Somali, an added advantage.
Good business-oriented verbal, visual, and written communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple, simultaneous demands and willingness to take on new tasks on an ad hoc basis as assigned by the supervisor.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a high-pressure environment while adhering to deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, with creativity and flexibility, and the ability to coordinate and build consensus.
Proficiency in MS Office and the use of IT facilities for information-sharing and/or database management.
Experience in Proposal development and budgeting.
Experience in establishment of effective and efficient Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning systems.
Familiarity with food and cash assistance donor(s) e.g. WFP, USAID-BHA, USDA, ECHO, etc, policies, guidelines, and standards.
Familiarity with WVI food and cash assistance policies, guidelines, and standards.
Travel and/or Work Environment, Language Requirement:

Field-based in Baidoa, Somalia
Up to 80 % of travel within Somalia and Nairobi.
English language is required, Somali language is a plus.
How to apply
World Vision adheres to strict child and adult safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks, which will include criminal background checks. They will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

This is an Open position but we encourage Female candidates to apply.

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local and International Applicants (IA’s) Accepted