Head of Enabling Services: Consultant Level II

job Description

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Zimbabwe works in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe, humanitarian and development actors, the private sector, and local communities to address immediate food needs while supporting long-term solutions to hunger and malnutrition.

WFP’s portfolio in Zimbabwe is guided by its Country Strategic Plan (CSP 2022–2026), which aligns with national development priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The CSP focuses on four key areas:

Crisis Response: Providing emergency food assistance during critical periods such as the lean season, with a focus on protecting lives and livelihoods, particularly in response to climate shocks like droughts and floods.

Resilience Building: Supporting communities to strengthen food systems, improve agricultural productivity, diversify livelihoods, and build resilience to climate change through integrated rural and urban programmes.

Nutrition Improvement: Addressing malnutrition, particularly among children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people living with HIV, while promoting healthy diets and social behaviour change.

Capacity Strengthening: Enhancing the capacity of government institutions to manage food security and nutrition programmes, social protection systems, and emergency preparedness and response.

WFP Zimbabwe is a key partner in supporting the Government’s Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy (FDMS), advancing localization through partnerships with local organizations, and driving innovation in digital solutions, youth empowerment, and private sector engagement. WFP continues to deliver life-saving assistance and invest in long-term, sustainable food security solutions for vulnerable Zimbabwean communities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose of the Assignment
The Zimbabwe Country Office is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Head of Enabling Services (HoES) to lead and coordinate the provision of high-quality, timely, and efficient enabling services that support the delivery of WFP’s programme outcomes. The position plays a central role in ensuring an integrated and coherent approach across the TEC (Technology), Management Services, Finance, and Risk Management functions. The HoES will work under the direct supervision of the Country Director and will be part of the Country Office Management Team (COMT).

The Head of Enabling Services is responsible for mobilizing cross-functional collaboration and providing strategic leadership and oversight to the enabling services portfolio to support WFP Zimbabwe’s operations. The incumbent will ensure that the enabling services are responsive to the evolving needs of the Country Office, are compliant with corporate standards, and are aligned with strategic priorities and operational demands.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Leadership and Integration
-Provide strategic direction and leadership to TEC, Finance, Management Services, and Risk Management units.
-Drive cross-functional integration to ensure seamless service delivery that enables effective programme implementation.
-Act as a key advisor to the Country Director and COMT on enabling services issues, risks, and mitigation strategies.
-Lead the development and implementation of the Country Office’s enabling services strategy, ensuring alignment with WFP global frameworks and local operational needs.

Operational Oversight
-Ensure efficient and client-focused support services in line with WFP standards and best practices.
-Monitor performance of the enabling services functions and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
-Oversee compliance with internal controls, financial and administrative regulations, and corporate policies.

Inter-Agency Engagement and Representation
-Represent the Enabling Services division in inter-agency coordination forums, UN Operations Management Teams (OMT), and relevant external platforms.
-Foster partnerships with UN agencies, donors, and government stakeholders to strengthen operational collaboration and resource optimization.

Team Management and Capacity Development
-Lead, coach, and mentor unit heads and teams under Enabling Services, ensuring capacity development and knowledge transfer.
-Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, inclusivity, accountability, and continuous learning.

Risk Management and Assurance
-Oversee the implementation of risk management frameworks and internal control mechanisms across the Country Office.
-Ensure that all services are delivered with a strong focus on cost-efficiency, business continuity, and risk mitigation.
-Collaborate with all units to proactively address audit recommendations and ensure timely follow-up actions.

Qualifications and Experience

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
-A unified and high performing Enabling Services function aligned with CO strategy.
-Improved efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and risk mitigation interventions.
-Strengthened internal controls, compliance, and alignment with audit recommendations.
-Strategic partnerships and inter-agency coordination that support operational excellence.
-Well-designed tools and project plans to support enabling services business processes activities including cross-functional tools and planned projects.
-Quality reviews of long-term agreements and contracts to ensure the effectiveness of cost management and total saved dollar value.
-Assurance Mapping of enabling services processes to support the overall accountability of management (e.g. revised Delegation of authorities, and adherence to the UN sanctions on vendors and services providers)

Education:

Advanced University degree in Public or Business Administration, Management, Finance, ICT, International Development, or other relevant fields; or First University degree with additional years of relevant work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience:
-Minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in a relevant field of work, with a background and interest in international humanitarian development and emergency response
-Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, team leadership, inter-agency collaboration, and risk management.
-Proven experience managing diverse teams and cross-cutting operational functions.

Knowledge Skills:
-Ability to work and plan at strategic, policy and operational levels.
-Excellent negotiation, representation, and conflict resolution skills.
-Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyse and interpret large amounts of information, drawing out the key messages.
-Demonstrated application and synthesis of acquired knowledge including application in the inter-agency context.
-Excellent oral and written communication skills, able to clearly articulate insights to senior stakeholders in and outside of WFP.
-Proficiency with WFP systems, policies, and procedures

Language:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in English.