Head of Resilience and Food Systems

The Head of Resilience and Food Systems provides strategic leadership and technical oversight for the design, coordination, and implementation of integrated disaster risk reduction, climate risk management, resilience, and food systems programmes in Tajikistan. The role involves strengthening institutional systems, multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms, and government capacities for risk-informed planning, preparedness, and response.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government, UN agencies, IFIs, development partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector to advance resilience, food systems, DRR, and climate adaptation initiatives
• Represent WFP in relevant coordination forums, technical working groups, and partner meetings, contributing to policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, joint programming, and resource mobilization efforts
• Support government counterparts and partners in the planning, design, and implementation of food security, nutrition, resilience, and disaster risk management interventions at national and sub-national levels
• Foster an inclusive and collaborative working environment through effective communication, accountability, and regular information sharing
• Supervise and support team members through performance management, coaching, capacity development, and timely completion of PACE requirements
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams to ensure integrated delivery of resilience, DRR, climate adaptation, and emergency preparedness initiatives
• Provide strategic guidance and technical advice on resilience, climate action, DRR, and food systems programming
• Strengthen the capacities of WFP staff, government counterparts, and partners through coaching, training, knowledge sharing, and dissemination of best practices
• Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of resilience and food systems programmes in line with WFP and government priorities
• Ensure effective coordination across programme, resilience, and emergency response functions to maximize synergies and programme impact
• Support resource mobilization efforts through the development of concept notes, proposals, operational guidance, and partnership frameworks
• Ensure timely preparation of quality reports, knowledge products, success stories, and other programme documentation
• Integrate gender, disability inclusion, protection, accountability, nutrition, and climate considerations across all programme interventions
• Perform activity manager responsibilities in compliance with WFP policies, procedures, and corporate systems
• Maintain effective information management and record-keeping systems and undertake other duties as required

Requirements

• Advanced University degree in International Development, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or other field related to DRR, climate change adaptation and/or international assistance is highly preferable
• First university degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training courses
• At least 7 years of progressively relevant professional experience in managing international development projects aiming to improve livelihoods and food security with a focus on community-based participatory approaches
• Extensive experience in emergency preparedness and response and sudden onset disasters in WFP capacity setting up and managing disaster response activities is strongly preferable
• Experience with WFP & UN agencies, government entities, or civil society in the fields of DRR, climate change, agriculture, and/or environmental sustainability is strongly preferable
• Has coordinated with and engaged in active discussions with government counterparts, resulting in achievement of organizational goals
• Has demonstrated leadership and management of technical staff of various levels, ensuring deliverables are met within appropriate time and quality
• Has engaged in high-level decisions regarding programme implementation and provided input into strategic discussions on policy
• Has established relationships and engaged closely with external counterparts
• Proven experience in leading multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms and working with government institutions on disaster risk management and emergency preparedness
• Demonstrated experience in programme design, policy dialogue and institutional capacity strengthening
• Experience in Central Asia or similar contexts is highly desirable
• Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory
• Proficiency in Russian or Tajik is strongly preferred

Skills

• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Climate Change Adaptation
• International Development
• Agriculture Development Projects
• Environmental Sustainability
• Community-Based Approaches
• Emergency Preparedness
• Disaster Response
• Food Security Programming
• Programme Design
• Policy Dialogue
• Institutional Strengthening
• Inter-sectoral Coordination
• Government Relations
• Strategic Leadership
• Technical Team Management
• Project Management
• Risk-Informed Planning
• Resilience Programming
• WFP Operations

Languages

English, Russian, Tajik