Head of Field Office

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

1 November 2026-23:59-GMT+03:00 Eastern European Time (Damascus)

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 World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of extreme weather shocks.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

As Syria navigates a new chapter marked by historic opportunities and enduring challenges, the scale of humanitarian needs remains overwhelming. Only 18 percent of the population is food secure; some 7.2 million people face acute food insecurity, including 1.6 million facing severe conditions. Approximately 5.5 million people remain internally displaced. Since December 2024, more than 1.6 million Syrians have returned from abroad, many to communities where homes and infrastructure have been destroyed, livelihood opportunities remain limited and access to basic services is severely constrained. Sustained support is essential to help returning families meet their immediate needs, rebuild their livelihoods and reintegrate into their communities.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the largest humanitarian agency operating in Syria since 1964 and is uniquely positioned to support Syrian communities in their recovery through its expansive reach and scale. WFP’s interventions prioritize emergency relief and resilience-building efforts focused on the most severely food insecure populations. Additionally, WFP is a key actor in the country’s social protection sector also plays a vital role in strengthening Syria’s social safety-net systems.

Operating under its 2022-2026 Interim Country Strategic Plan (iCSP), WFP addresses the growing food and nutrition needs livelihood, resilience and early recovery, and reviving food systems, in close collaboration with the Syrian government, humanitarian and development stakeholders.

CONTRACT DETAILS: 

Position Title: Head of Field Office

Contract Type: Fixed Term (NOB)
Duration: 12 months
Duty Stations: Homs

Number of required employees: 1

ORGANIZATIONAL ‎CONTEXT:

These jobs are found in newly created Field Offices with a focus on ‎programme execution, monitoring of activities and engagement with local ‎communities. Job holders work under the supervision of the Head of Aleppo Office. ‎

JOB PURPOSE:

To plan and manage field operations to ensure the effective and efficient ‎deployment of food assistance programmes and use of allocated resources.‎

The Head of Field Office position will be based in Homs Field Office. Under the direct supervision of the Head of Aleppo Area Office, the incumbent will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and oversight of WFP operations within the area of responsibility, covering Homs, Hama, Latakia, and Tartous Governorates, ensuring alignment with Country Office priorities, CSP objectives, corporate policies, and operational requirements.

The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring effective programme and operational delivery, managing Field Office resources and personnel, maintaining strategic relationships with government authorities, cooperating partners, UN agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders, and representing WFP in relevant coordination and decision-making forums. The Head of Field Office will provide strategic direction to Field Office personnel, promote integrated and accountable programme implementation, ensure compliance with WFP policies and procedures, and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing work environment that supports the achievement of WFP objectives

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction to Field Office personnel and oversee programme implementation to ensure alignment with CSP priorities, operational requirements, and corporate standards.

• Plan and manage WFP field operations within the area of responsibility, in coordination with the Area Office, and ensure effective and impactful implementation of food assistance programmes, as well as livelihood and resilience activities. The Head of Field Office is responsible for proactively addressing and resolving day-to-day operational issues in a timely manner to prevent delays, mitigate risks, and minimize losses.

• Ensure that allocated resources are used efficiently and are in line with agreed implementation plans, corporate policies, and compliance requirements.
• Accountable for the security and safety of WFP staff, operations, premises and assets within the Field Office, ensuring that WFP security policies, procedures, and standards are effectively implemented and adhered to at the Field-level. Actively participate and contribute to the Area Security Management Team (ASMT).

• Conduct timely monitoring of programme activities and provide regular updates to the Area Office to support informed decision-making, operational planning, and the timely identification and resolution of implementation challenges.

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships and collaboration with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, civil societies, beneficiaries and other relevant stakeholders to enhance the delivery and impact of WFP assistance programmes.

• Represent WFP in inter-agency forums, coordination mechanisms, technical working groups, and official meetings with government authorities, UN agencies, donors, NGOs, and other stakeholders, ensuring effective communication of WFP priorities, operational achievements, and programme objectives.

• Engage with beneficiaries and maintain strong field presence through regular monitoring visits to programme sites, distribution points, and other locations where WFP assistance is delivered.

• Ensure effective coordination and collaboration between programme and operational functions in the Field Office, Area Office and Country Office, as required.

• Take responsibility for fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace that promotes respect, collaboration, staff well-being, and equal opportunities for all personnel.

•  Perform other related duties as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master's Degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or other related field, or First University Degree with additional two (2) years of related work experience and/or training/courses

Experience: At least three (3) years of professional experience in programme and operational management, including  team leadership, coordination with government and external partners and exposure to supply chain activities and field operations with a Master's Degree, or First University Degree with two (2) additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses

DESIRED EXPERIENCES

• Has developed, or supported the development of, single discipline work plans to support the achievement of WFP strategic aims within a defined area.
• Has gained some exposure in field operations, preferably in a hardship duty station or emergency situation.
• Has field experience via field rotations or working in a sub-office, and through field postings.
• Gained experience in analysing local political situations and assessing risk accurately.
• Gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme etc.).
• Has gained experience managing small to mid-size financial budgets, and balancing priorities effectively.
• Has experience leading mid-size teams to large teams (5+) to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
• Participated in a vendor/government/ partner negotiation within the area of focus.
• Participated in a small emergency operation/ development programme.
• Has experience with security coordination and compound management within a smaller area.
• Proven experience in programme management is desirable.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Arabic languages

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  [email protected]

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at [email protected]. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.