Head of Enabling Services (HoES)

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance as a means to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates globally, with a mission to ensure that no one goes hungry, and it is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities for all its employees. WFP has a diverse workforce and is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment that reflects the communities it serves. The organization has received numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its commitment to humanitarian efforts and global security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. WFP operates in multiple countries, working closely with governments, local communities, and other stakeholders to address food insecurity and malnutrition.

Job Overview:
The Head of Enabling Services (HoES) position is a critical role within the WFP Zimbabwe Country Office, responsible for leading and coordinating the provision of high-quality enabling services that support the delivery of WFP’s program outcomes. The HoES will ensure that the enabling services are responsive to the evolving needs of the Country Office, compliant with corporate standards, and aligned with strategic priorities and operational demands. This role requires a dynamic and results-oriented individual who can mobilize cross-functional collaboration and provide strategic leadership across various functions, including Technology, Management Services, Finance, and Risk Management. The HoES will work closely with the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director and be part of the Country Office Management Team, playing a central role in ensuring an integrated and coherent approach to service delivery that enables effective program implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Head of Enabling Services include providing strategic direction and leadership to the Technology, Finance, Management Services, and Risk Management units. The HoES will drive cross-functional integration to ensure seamless service delivery, act as a key advisor to the Country Director and the Country Office Management Team on enabling services issues, and lead the development and implementation of the enabling services strategy. Operational oversight is also a key responsibility, ensuring efficient and client-focused support services, monitoring performance, and overseeing compliance with internal controls and corporate policies. The HoES will represent the Enabling Services division in inter-agency coordination forums, foster partnerships with UN agencies and government stakeholders, and lead, coach, and mentor unit heads and teams under Enabling Services. Additionally, the HoES will oversee the implementation of risk management frameworks and ensure that all services are delivered with a strong focus on cost-efficiency and business continuity.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Public or Business Administration, Management, Finance, ICT, International Development, or other relevant fields. Alternatively, a first university degree with additional years of relevant work experience and/or training/courses may be considered. The position requires a minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in a related field, with a background and interest in international humanitarian development and emergency response. Candidates should demonstrate experience in strategic planning, team leadership, inter-agency collaboration, and risk management, as well as proven experience managing diverse teams and cross-cutting operational functions.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Public or Business Administration, Management, Finance, ICT, or International Development. A first university degree combined with additional relevant work experience and training may also be acceptable. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of humanitarian operations and the strategic management of enabling services.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in a field related to humanitarian development, emergency response, or operational management. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in strategic planning, team leadership, and inter-agency collaboration, as well as a strong background in risk management. Proven experience in managing diverse teams and operational functions is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in English is mandatory for this position. Strong communication skills are essential for articulating insights to senior stakeholders and for effective representation in inter-agency forums. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and is based in Harare, Zimbabwe. The contract duration and specific compensation details will be provided in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and supports individuals with disabilities by offering reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. The organization does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process, and all employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications.