Job Description

Roles & Responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE: WFP operations in the Southern Areas of Yemen are conducted in a highly complex, volatile, and high-risk operating environment. Protracted conflict, economic deterioration, climate-related shocks, and constrained access to essential services continue to drive widespread humanitarian needs. In Government of Yemen (GoY) controlled areas, approximately one in two people experience acute food insecurity, as declining household purchasing power, inflation, and disrupted livelihoods leave millions unable to meet their basic food needs. Nearly 5.4 million people are experiencing IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse) acute food insecurity between June to September 2026, with 1.6 million people experiencing IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). Despite the harvest season, urgent needs are expected to persist from October December 2026, with 5.4 million people in IPC Phase 3 or above and deepening severity. The Head of Field Office will provide strategic leadership and overall management of field office operations, ensuring the effective and efficient use of human, financial, and operational resources to deliver high-quality programme activities aligned with the approved Interim Country Strategic Plan (ICSP and organizational policies. The role places a strong emphasis on fostering and sustaining strategic partnerships with government authorities, United Nations agencies, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), and WFP cooperating partners within the area of responsibility to strengthen coordination, enhance operational effectiveness, and maximize programme impact. The incumbent will report directly to the Head of operations and will be responsible for the following tasks and responsibilities. Leadership & Management Provide overall management and strategic guidance to the Field Office. Ensure Field office operations are effectively managed in accordance with WFP policies, procedures, and corporate standards. Overall management of human, financial, and administrative resources are efficiently utilized, with strong internal controls and compliance maintained. Ensure timely, high-quality programme implementation within budget and in line with the approved Interim Country Strategic Plan (ICSP), annual work plans, and donor requirements. Lead the Field Office team, ensuring a cohesive working environment and adherence to WFP values. Staff performance is effectively managed through coaching, performance planning, and professional development. Maintain strict oversight of operational risks, fraud mitigation, and compliance. Operational Coordination Oversee day to day Field Office programme activities including: Targeted Emergency Food Assistance (TEFA) Livelihoods/Resilience School feeding Nutrition programmes Logistics and warehouse operations Coordinate field-level emergency responses, assessments, or scale-ups as needed. Monitoring, Accountability & Protection Ensure programmes are delivered according to WFP standards, protection principles, and "Do No Harm" approaches. Ensure high-quality monitoring of activities (onsite/offsite), following WFP RAM standards. Strengthen protection mainstreaming, gender, disability inclusion, and AAP within field operations. Ensure functionality of hotlines, complaint mechanisms, and escalation pathways. Conduct field visits to distribution sites, warehouses, and partner locations. Use operational evidence to improve programme performance and decision-making. Ensure recommendations from monitoring, audits, complaints mechanisms, and evaluations are addressed. Administration, Budgeting & Compliance Oversee Field Office administrative functions including human resources, logistics support, travel, and petty cash. Ensure compliance with WFP rules, regulations, anti-fraud policies, and donor requirements. Ensure timely Field Office reporting (daily sitreps, weekly updates, M&E reports, partner performance). Security Management Act as Security Focal Point for the Field Office. Ensure full compliance with UNDSS and WFP security protocols. Maintain incident reporting, access analysis, and staff movement planning. Maintain accountability for the safety of WFP staff, operations, facilities, and assets, ensuring compliance with established security protocols and active participation in the Area Security Management Team (ASMT). External Relations & Representation Represent WFP at the local level with: Authorities and Donors Cooperating Partners Community leaders UN agencies and humanitarian clusters Security and local coordination bodies Facilitate negotiation and access discussions in line with WFP principles and humanitarian standards. Actively contributes to inter-agency coordination forums. Deliverables: Timely and efficient delivery of food assistance programs as per WFP guidelines. Comprehensive financial reports demonstrating transparent use of resources. Regular monitoring and evaluation reports for operational planning and decision-making. Weekly operational reports to Head of Field operations. Capacity-building training for WFP staff, partners, and local authorities on programme related issues such as targeting, registration etc. Desired Skills Strong leadership and negotiation skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to operate in high-risk, complex environments. Experience with WFP in-kind and CBT transfer modalities. SCOPE registrations, AAP, protection, and gender in operations. Education: Advanced University degree in Economics, business administration, social science, public health or other relevant fields. Experience: At least 5 years and above of experience in Managing an office, implementation of emergency response, Field operations management, Programme implementation and staff supervision. Languages: Fluency (level C) in English language. Fluency in Arabic is an added asset. 

Desired Candidate Profile

Advanced University degree in Economics, business administration, social science, public health or other relevant fields.

At least 5 years and above of experience in Managing an office, implementation of emergency response, Field operations management, Programme implementation and staff supervision.

Fluency (level C) in English language. Fluency in Arabic is an added asset.