Ombuds Officer (Outreach & Communication)

The Ombuds Officer leads the promotion of informal conflict resolution within WFP by developing outreach strategies, enhancing conflict prevention and resolution skills through training, and providing professional mediation services. The role also involves providing informal conflict resolution services to employees and identifying systemic issues to facilitate workplace culture change.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the implementation of the OBD’s outreach and communication strategy to promote awareness and understanding of informal conflict resolution services.
• Increase visibility of the Office and its services, including the Respectful Workplace Allies programme.
• Oversee production of informational and educational materials related to conflict resolution competencies and interpersonal skills.
• Design and lead communication and engagement campaigns for specific events such as International Ombuds Day and the Annual Report release.
• Build effective collaborations and partnerships internally and externally to align communication activities with WFP policies and strategies.
• Stay abreast of new developments and coordinate OBD’s input to ensure alignment with organizational needs.
• Lead OBD’s Capacity Building Programme and manage collaboration with stakeholders on capacity-building efforts.
• Oversee development of new training formats and integration of updated frameworks and policies into training materials.
• Identify systemic workplace issues and provide early warning feedback.
• Coordinate and review drafting of OBD’s Annual Report and develop strategic communication plans for dissemination.
• Prepare briefings for the Ombudsperson and provide strategic advice on organizational trends and systemic issues.
• Provide comprehensive ombuds services to WFP employees in compliance with UN standards, ensuring independence, impartiality, confidentiality, and informality.
• Engage with employees and managers confidentially to explore workplace concerns and provide coaching.
• Promote an equitable and inclusive workplace incorporating all WFP diversity and inclusion dimensions.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Conflict Resolution, Social Sciences, Law, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Communications, or other related field, or first university degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience in conflict resolution, mediation, organizational communications, or related areas.
• Experience in leading communication strategies and outreach efforts, ideally within a large international organization.
• Proven experience in developing and delivering capacity-building programs, particularly related to conflict prevention and resolution.
• Experience in providing mediation or other informal conflict resolution services in line with international ombuds standards.
• Excellent knowledge of conflict resolution practices and the principles of ombudsman practice.
• Ability to identify workplace trends and provide strategic advice to senior management.
• Familiarity with developing training materials and overseeing capacity-building initiatives.
• Demonstrated writing and editorial skills for producing reports and informational materials.
• Skilled in building partnerships and collaboration both internally and externally.
• Excellent project management skills, with experience in overseeing events and campaigns.
• Fluency (Level C) in English.
• Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language).

Skills

• Conflict Resolution
• Mediation Services
• Organizational Communication
• Communication Strategy
• Outreach Management
• Capacity Building
• Training Development
• Conflict Prevention
• Ombudsman Practice
• Workplace Trend Analysis
• Strategic Advice
• Report Writing
• Editorial Skills
• Partnership Building
• Collaboration
• Project Management
• Event Management
• Campaign Management

Languages

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