Operational Planning Budgeting Consultant

Career Opportunities: Operational Planning Budgeting Consultant (829813) Requisition ID 829813 – Posted 06/10/2023 – Short Term Monthly – Europe, Western – Italy – Rome – Working Job Language (1) – RESOURCE MANAGEMENT WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability. ABOUT WFP The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT The Corporate Planning & Performance Division (CPP) is part of the Resource Management Department. CPP embodies an end-to-end process in the knowledge, expertise, and systems essential to delivering WFP’s results-based management, budgeting products and services. The Planning, Budgeting and Performance Reporting Branch (CPPO) support and coordinate end-to-end planning, budgeting, and reporting of WFP operations, to maximize efficiency in resource management and demonstrate WFP’s performance in achieving its objectives. CPPO provides guidance and support for WFP Country and Regional Offices Worldwide on Country Strategic Plan (CSP) planning and budgeting processes, needs prioritization & allocation of funds and performance reporting. The Budget and Programming Officer (BPO) will lead budget and resource analysis, support budget planning activities, and provide technical support within HQ and to RBs and COs in relation to budgetary and financial related processes, tools and systems. The BPO will work in the Budget and Programming Services (CPPO) and will be coordinating with other CPP staff in the Strategic Plan Implementation and in reviewing and optimizing field budget processes. Operating with minimal supervision, the BPO will provide guidance to junior staff and be involved in day–to-day activities, analytical work and provide advice on technical issues. ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive) Support New Corporate Initiatives 1. Coordinate with CPP Digital Cell and HQ Units in defining, testing, and rolling out of the technical solution for “unbundling” to enable reporting at sub-activity level, building on current systems and available tools. 2. Support CPP and corporate efforts to optimize field budget processes in order to further harmonize WFP’s planning tools, e.g. Implementation Plan, Needs-Based Plan and Pipeline; this includes a review of the programming rates calculation and an investigation of possible delinking of rates from the budget. 3. Analyse and review the current system of establishing programming rates, and lead a Programming Rates Review to examine options for alternative, more efficient procedures. 4. Support the development and implementation of plans, policies and procedures for budget and programming activities, ensuring that objectives are achieved in compliance with corporate and functional strategies. 5. Represent CPPO unit on UNINFO interoperability working group, engage relevant stakeholders, consolidate feedback, and propose solutions for CPP management consideration. 6. Within existing working groups on new corporate initiatives, represent CPPO unit, engage relevant stakeholders, consolidate feedback, and propose solutions for CPP management consideration. 7. Support Budget and Programming function activities, including timely clearance and feedback of Country Portfolio Budgets; ensuring quality, consistency and compliance with WFP standards, budget and programming policies and procedures and flagging any shortcomings and providing comprehensive feedback to the COs as needed. 8. Contribute toward the development and improvement of systems, techniques, tools, processes, and procedures to better monitor and manage WFP budgets and resources. 9. Develop the capacity of WFP staff in budgeting, fund management and operational planning through coaching around the regular day-to-day transactions as well as developing, updating, and delivering training using available materials, manuals, and guidelines. 10. Document internal business processes, develop Standard Office Procedures (SOPs), and training packages on resource management matters, and provide on boarding briefs to newcomers in the team. 11. Perform other relevant duties as required. DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT 1. Methodology for the unbundling to enable reporting at sub-activity level and output costing is finalized and endorsed by the relevant CPP authority. 2. Follow up with CPP Digital Cell on the development and the rollout of the new system to enable reporting at sub-activity level. 3. Guidelines / training for end users are prepared and rolled out, detailing the unbundling methodology and the revised budget planning tools. 4. Budget planning tools (e.g., Implementation Plan, Needs-Based Plan, Pipeline) are optimized, aligned with business requirements, integrated into business processes, cleared, and shared with field offices and HQ Units. 5. Revised methodology for the calculation of the programming rates is prepared in consultation with the field and HQ Units, endorsed, and shared with Country Offices and Regional Bureaux. 6. Regular updates and reports are prepared and shared with CPP management. 7. Effectively represent Budget and Programming function at internal discussions with other stakeholders, including field colleagues in relation to budget and programming work. 8. Support on Planning, Budget and Performance Reporting related activities by ensuring timely review of the Country Strategic Plans (CSP) and clearance and feedback of Country Portfolio Budgets provided, aligned with corporate frameworks. 9. Team managed and coached on regular business processes. 10. Perform other tasks as required by CPP. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Education: Advanced University degree in Business Administration, Statistics, Finance, Economics or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience. Experience: Minimum 5 years of post-graduate, progressively responsible, job-related experiences in Resource Management, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Planning, Promotion of Value-for-Money, and Performance Reporting. Knowledge and skills: -Good understanding of WFP operations and business processes, rules and procedures. -Collaborative spirit and team player, working with multiple stakeholders to solicit information and inputs to work requirements. -Proven abilities to proactively approach problem solving and generate ideas for optimal team outcomes amidst operational challenges and resource constraints. Ability to work and act under pressure and liaise with a wide range of people at all levels. -Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. -Ability to lead teams proactively, providing resource management solutions that enhance the deliverance of value for money to our beneficiaries, aligning staff practices with mission critical priorities, as appropriate. -Ability to consolidate and share resource management information, emphasizing accuracy and consistency in numbers across teams, making relevant conclusions and recommendations to drive management decision-making. Language: Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of another UN language (e.g. Spanish, French, Arabic) is desirable. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS Deadline for applications: 20 October 2023 midnight Rome time Reference: VA no. 829813 . WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action. J-18808-Ljbffr