Assistant Executive Director, Workplace and Management

The Assistant Executive Director, Workplace and Management serves as a core member of WFP's Senior Leadership Team, providing leadership for human resources, staff wellbeing, and enabling functions including management services, security, and technology. The role focuses on strengthening organizational effectiveness, operational resilience, and duty of care, while advancing WFP's contribution to UN reform and promoting a positive, inclusive workplace culture.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and COO, Assistant Executive Directors and other senior leaders to shape and implement policies, strategies, and initiatives that advance WFP's mission and goals
• Provide comprehensive strategic direction and guidance across WFP's Workplace and Management Department ensuring that enabling services are coherent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the organization
• Offer strategic leadership in integrating management functions across the organization to ensure effective coordination and alignment
• Support WFP’s contribution to UN Reform and related initiatives by championing operational efficiency, mandate alignment, and structural reform, ensuring WFP remains a model of innovation and cost-effectiveness within the UN system
• Set the tone for a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement, setting high standards of integrity and ethical behavior for all staff
• Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion and fosters an environment of respect and collaboration across all levels of the organization
• Oversee WFP’s duty of care and staff wellbeing agenda, including physical and mental health, occupational safety and health, and support to the personnel serving in hardship and high-risk duty stations
• Engage and represent WFP in high-level fora (e.g. United Nations, including High Level Committee on Management, Governments, Executive Board, relevant humanitarian and development committees, etc.), asserting the organization’s position and ensuring that WFP interests are at the forefront of discussions and considerations
• Promote and set the tone for innovation, efficiency and effectiveness internally and in engagement with other UN agencies and partners
• Undertake additional responsibilities as required to support WFP’s mission and the Senior Leadership Team.

Requirements

• A minimum of 20 years of progressively responsible experience in senior management, administration or other relevant fields
• Strong track record of leadership and strategic management at the international level, preferably in humanitarian or development sectors
• Proven track record and experience in successfully managing and leading roles with significant breadth and complexity in related fields such as Administration, Security, Human Resources or Facilities
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and persuade at the highest levels
• Demonstrated ability in fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and inclusion, with a strong commitment to diversity and gender equity
• Successfully managed a significant budget and operating plan, and a multi-disciplinary team of experts across a variety of job functions
• High level of emotional intelligence, with the ability to manage complex and challenging situations with empathy and tact
• Impeccable personal and professional integrity, with a firm commitment to the work, objectives, values, and guiding principles of WFP and the United Nations system
• Demonstrated experience in leading innovation and promoting operational efficiency in complex environments
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills, supported by a well-established network of international stakeholders and partners
• Willingness to travel to different locations worldwide, often in challenging and remote environments
• Fluency (level C) in English language
• Working knowledge proficiency of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language) highly desirable
• An advanced university degree in Organizational Development, Business Administration, Leadership, Public Administration or related field.

Skills

• Senior Management
• Strategic Management
• Leadership
• Administration
• Security Management
• Human Resources Management
• Facilities Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Communication
• Interpersonal Skills
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Gender Equality
• Budget Management
• Team Leadership
• Emotional Intelligence
• Operational Efficiency
• Innovation Leadership
• Networking
• Organisational Development
• Public Administration

Languages

English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese