Country and Regional Network Coordinator

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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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).

JOB TITLE: Country and Regional Network Coordinator
TYPE OF CONTRACT: TDY for CST level II
UNIT/DIVISION: School Meals Social Protection and Nutrition Service (PPGS)
DUTY STATION (City Country): Rome Italy
DURATION: 3 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
For more than 60 years WFP has been the leading organization in supporting countries with their school meals programmes which are widely prevalent throughout the 2020 WFP launched a 10-year strategy for school meals. WFP advocates for the universal adoption of school meals programmes as a safety net that helps increase childrens access learning opportunities and strengthens their health and nutrition.
In 2021 WFP efforts to assist countries to establish and maintain nationally owned programmes as well as implementing school meals programmes were taken to the next level with the launch of the School Meals Coalition at the Food Systems Summit. WFP hosts the Secretariat of the School Meals Coalition which as continuously grown to reach over 100 country members and more than 150 partners. The Coalition encourages countries to develop national commitments that lay out measurable goals for improving the quality and scale of national school meals programmes and to connect to the its five Initiatives. More than 65 countries have submitted national commitments.
The Coalition has also gained significant momentum at the regional level through new regional dynamics. At the first Global Summit of the Coalition in October 2023 regional bodies and networks across Africa Asia Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean showcased their leadership and demonstrated how regional networks enable countries to learn from one another tackle shared challenges and advocate collectively for school meals through regional dialogues and events. Today five regional and sub-regional bodies are members of the Coalition the African Union the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) the European Commission the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Regional networks are active in East Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean while regional meetings have also been organized in West Africa Southern Africa Europe and Asia.
The School Meals Coalition Secretariat team in School Meals Social Protection and Nutrition Service is seeking a Regional and Country Dialogues Coordinator to support these efforts facilitate connection peer-to-peer exchange and learning between countries of a specific region and across different regions as well as facilitating connections and stakeholder engagement including by acting as the main focal point for regional events/dialogues and for selected regional bodies that are members of the Coalition. This also includes following-up to support the maintenance of the regional addition the consultant will provide support to national governments in the development and implementation of their national commitments on request and in close coordination with the school meals programme team.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the supervision of the School Meals Coalition Secretariat Coordinator and working closely with WFP Global Headquarter teams and Country Offices the main responsibilities include:
Lead discussions with WFP regional and country offices on strategies to increase engagement and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning between countries in particular regions.
Collaborate with governments and partners to ensure successful regional dialogue/event outcomes; steer the content and the design of event dynamics ensuring objectives of learning are met; acting as main focal point for and coordinating efforts with WFP Regional and Country Offices as relevant. Provide inputs to concept note and agenda drafting session briefers and talking points for envisioned speakers coordinate input preparation.
Develop and document tools and good practices to support WFP regional and Country Offices and other relevant stakeholders in the organisation and facilitation of regional dialogues and peer to peer learning and exchange. This includes a toolkit to guide relevant stakeholders and inform the work of the Coalition Secretariat including ToRs templates timelines to do lists communication tools and good practices/lessons learned from past events.
Support Regional Bureau and Country Offices in planning coordination and execution of regional events as required. This includes as relevant
o Drafting Save-the-Date/invitations advise on possible invitees track RSVPs from the Coalition Secretariat as relevant.
o Supporting WFP Country Offices and Regional Bureaus in the management of event logistics including venue selection and onsite event operations.
o Developing and managing event budget allocated by the Secretariat ensuring cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.
Coordinate with relevant Advocacy and Communication colleagues on all advocacy and communication plans and materials.
Develop and support activities that support regional networks in coordination with WFP Country and Regional offices and with Government stakeholders when required.
Gather information and intelligence on each regional dialogue/event for reporting and strategic purposes and help with the analysis. This includes the full list of participants (with an analysis of country and partner participation and level) the documents and outcomes of the event and the general report. Ensure that participants to each regional dialogue/event are given the opportunity to be involved in broader Coalition processes.
Acting as the main focal point in the SMC Secretariat for selected regional bodies and networks and performing any other duties in support of the regional networks.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
Deliverables to include:
Good practices in advancing country and regional peer to peer learning and exchange are captured and disseminated.
Coordinated regional dialogues/events successfully organized in Asia and East Africa
Outcomes disseminated in a timely manner.
Global events/efforts informed by regional events/forums networks and dynamics.
Contribute to a tracker to follow up on initiatives with each regional body/initiative.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
Advanced University degree in Social Science Political Science International Relations Public Relations Communications or relevant field or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience:
Minimum of 6 years of related experience in humanitarian and development programmes partnerships and advocacy.
Proven track record of executing successful events in collaboration with multiple stakeholders.

Knowledge & Skills:
Strong project management and planning skills.
Experience working with and coordinating with Governments.
Strong advocacy negotiation and communication skills.
Good knowledge in school meals and understanding of the school meals landscape/partners
Excellent writing skills
Well organized and detail oriented
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Collaborative spirit able to liaise with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures and to act with credibility and diplomacy.
Understanding of the dynamics of intra-organizational communications within WFP desirable

Languages: Fluent written English with French or/and Spanish highly desirable
Working arrangements: This position is expected to be based Rome HQ.

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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

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