Project Coordinator - CST II

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 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 recognized for its commitment to diversity and equal employment opportunities. WFP has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts. The organization emphasizes a healthy and inclusive work environment, where employees are selected based on merit and are encouraged to develop their skills through various training and professional development programs. WFP operates in numerous countries worldwide, employing thousands of individuals dedicated to humanitarian assistance and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security.

Job Overview:
The Project Coordinator will play a pivotal role in leading the UN Macro Grant in Sri Lanka, ensuring strategic oversight and donor accountability while integrating various programmatic elements such as Food Assistance, Anticipatory Action, Shelter/NFIs, and Humanitarian Data Assessment & Coordination. This position requires a strong focus on cash-based transfers and anticipatory action, ensuring that all mechanisms are effectively implemented and aligned with government systems. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of cash transfers, managing anticipatory action pre-financing, and ensuring that all activities are coherent across sectors. The role also involves significant coordination with government agencies, UN partners, and NGOs, as well as monitoring and evaluation of project outcomes to ensure adherence to results-based management standards. The Project Coordinator will represent WFP in various forums and will be tasked with defining sustainability and exit strategies for the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Oversight: Lead the implementation of the Macro Grant, ensuring coherence across all sectors involved.
• Donor Reporting: Prepare timely, accurate, and results-based reports for the US Government donor.
• Programme Integration: Ensure effective integration of cash transfers, anticipatory action triggers, NFI pre-positioning, and disaster preparedness coordination.
• Cash-Based Transfers & Anticipatory Action: Oversee the design and implementation of conditional cash transfers; manage anticipatory action pre-financing, thresholds, and triggers; supervise delivery mechanisms such as SCOPE and bank transfers.
• Coordination: Act as the focal point for coordination with government agencies, UN partners, INGOs/NGOs, and technical working groups.
• Monitoring & Evaluation: Oversee monitoring systems and indicator tracking, ensuring adherence to RBM standards.
• Risk Management: Identify bottlenecks, propose contingency measures, and ensure fiduciary safeguards are in place.
• Capacity Strengthening: Support government and partner institutions in disaster preparedness and anticipatory action.
• Staff Supervision: Provide guidance to technical leads and support staff in their roles. 1
• Representation: Represent WFP in donor and partner coordination forums related to the Macro Grant. 1
• Operational Updates: Produce regular progress reports and briefings for the Deputy Country Director. 1
• Exit Strategy: Define and implement sustainability and exit strategies, including asset transfer and embedding anticipatory action protocols.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong analytical writing, planning, and organizational skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Familiarity with food security, logistics, and disaster preparedness is essential. The position requires a deep understanding of cash-based transfers and anticipatory action programming, as well as the ability to design and oversee monitoring systems aligned with results-based management standards. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, are mandatory, as the role involves producing polished reports and engaging diplomatically with stakeholders.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in International Development, Political Science, Economics, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first university degree with additional years of relevant experience may be considered sufficient for the role.

Experience:
A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in project management and coordination is required, with at least 3 years specifically in cash-based transfers or anticipatory action programming. Candidates should have a proven track record of delivering results in complex humanitarian projects and managing donor relationships effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the working language of WFP. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the region or the specific context of the project would be considered an asset, enhancing communication with local stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered under an International Consultant Contract for a duration of 11 months, based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is open to international candidates only. The role is full-time, and WFP offers an attractive compensation package, which can be referenced in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.