Food Security Cluster Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of eradicating hunger and ensuring security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and communities. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, notably being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its work in combating hunger and promoting peace. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. For more information, visit the WFP website at https://www.wfp.org and follow their social media channels for updates.

Job Overview:
The Food Security Cluster Coordinator (CC) plays a crucial role in leading and coordinating food security interventions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a country facing one of the highest levels of food insecurity globally. The CC will mobilize and support various stakeholders to ensure a coherent and effective response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, which has been exacerbated by conflict, climate change, and health crises. The CC will work closely with the UN Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator, the Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and other humanitarian stakeholders to ensure that food security is prioritized in the overall humanitarian response. This position requires strategic leadership, coordination, and the ability to engage with a diverse range of partners to enhance the effectiveness of food security interventions. The CC will also be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the performance of food security initiatives and advocating for the needs of affected populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Food Security Cluster Coordinator will lead the Food Security Cluster (FSC) team and its members through the humanitarian response cycle, ensuring active engagement and membership of key partners at both national and sub-national levels. Responsibilities include organizing regular strategic and operational cluster meetings, developing and nurturing partnerships for collaborative approaches, formulating the FSC operational strategy, and ensuring alignment with WFP and partner priorities. The CC will lead the development and implementation of harmonized programmatic responses, provide technical and managerial leadership on complex issues, facilitate needs assessments, and strengthen the capacity of government and FSC members to address hunger. The CC will also monitor and oversee the preparation of analytical reports and promote the mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues in cluster activities. Additionally, the CC will advocate for resources for food security activities and lead the FSC team to ensure high performance and effective use of the assigned budget.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in food security, agriculture, economics, humanitarian affairs, or a related field. A solid understanding of the international humanitarian response architecture, including humanitarian principles and coordination mechanisms, is essential. The ability to make informed strategic decisions regarding food security responses, as well as experience in positioning the FSC and WFP as influential partners in policy dialogues, is required. Strong leadership skills, the ability to work under pressure, and excellent communication skills are also necessary for this role.

Educational Background:
A university degree in a relevant field such as food security, agriculture, economics, or humanitarian affairs is required for this position. Advanced degrees or specialized training in related areas may be advantageous and enhance a candidate's qualifications.

Experience:
Candidates should have between five (5) and eleven (11) years of professional experience in humanitarian response at a mid or senior level. Experience specifically related to food security topics is mandatory, while experience with inter-agency coordination is desirable. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to navigate complex humanitarian contexts and lead effective responses.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory, and a working knowledge of English is highly desirable. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset and could enhance communication with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The role involves significant responsibilities and requires a commitment to the principles of humanitarian action and the values of WFP. The selected candidate will be expected to engage with various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations, to ensure a coordinated and effective food security response. The compensation package will be attractive and in line with WFP's terms and conditions. The organization is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.