Programme Associate

Career Opportunities: Programme Associate (Field Coordinator – School Meals Programme) SC6 (833515)

WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

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:

WFP has been supporting the Government of Nepal (GoN) in implementing the school meals programme through food transfers since 1974 aimed at improving the education and nutrition outcomes in Nepal. In 2008, the GoN have scaled up the programme into 5 districts using its own resources through a cash transfer approach. Currently, the school meals programme is among the largest social safety net programs in Nepal, reaching almost 3.3 million school children enrolled in lower basic education all over the country.

Despite a massive expansion of the programme, quality programme implementation is yet to be realized as envisioned in the Government’s School Education Sector Plan (SESP). For the cash-based school meals programme, national funds are channeled directly to municipalities, shifting responsibility to local authorities and the schools. In response to the government’s request for technical assistance to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of the national mid-day meals (MDM) programme, WFP Nepal has designed a project for capacity strengthening in managing the cash-based school meals in Karnali province in adopting the home-grown school meals approach.

The Programme will be implemented in all Municipalities of Jajarkot and Surkhet Districts of Karnali Province. Under this project, WFP will continue to support the Government in implementing a national MDM programme with a home-grown school feeding (HGSF) approach. Therefore, with the intent of strengthening the Local Governments’ capacity to implement MDM, WFP is seeking to hire committed, innovative, and dynamic Programme Associate (Field Coordinators) to join WFP Nepal and working under the direct supervision and guidance of the Programme Policy Officer (SMP Coordinator), Surkhet.

The Programme Associate (Field Coordinator) will be responsible to provide overall technical assistance to respective Palikas of Karnali Province to strengthen and improve the quality of the MDM programme and in adopting the HGSF approach.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position Title: Programme Associate (Field Coordinator – School Meals Programme)
Contract Type: Service Contract (SC)
Level: SC-6 (Equivalent to GS-6)
Contract Duration: 12 months (possible renewal)
Admin Duty Station: Surkhet Field Office (Karnali/multiple duty station)
Vacancy Number: 833515
Date of Publication: 14.06.2024

WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary plus a medical insurance (www.cignahealthbenefits.com)

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Timely and quality support and assistance in the implementation of activities established based on a workplan, including but not limited to trainings and other capacity strengthening activities for government, school members and community members.
2. Provide technical assistance in menu planning and behaviour change and communication activities and supporting the monitoring and accountability system for the school meals programme in respective Palikas.
3. Represent WFP in different forums related to school health and nutrition at the district and Local government levels within a specific technical area of responsibility.
4. Provide technical and programmatic guidance and capacity strengthening support to Local governments technical staff in consultation with SMP Coordinator as needed.
5. Holding regular coordination meetings with local government, and school staff and committees, farmers’ cooperatives, and other stakeholders, and informing the results and progresses, according to workplan developed.
6. Support in operationalizing the supply chain cycle for supplying school meals and supporting the contractual agreement between schools and cooperatives or farmers as food suppliers, closely working with LGs, in line with planned school menus and forward contracting agreements.
7. Within the specific technical area, organize coordination meetings with local government and other key stakeholders on regular basis.
8. Support to enhance the monitoring and accountability system for the school meals programme in Palikas.
9. Undertake and ensure regular process monitoring of field level activities through the support of local government staffs.
10. Track the report from process monitoring and discuss on regular basis with local governments for the improvement of implementation at the field level.
11. Support in identifying potential collaboration and partnerships opportunity for SMP and related programme activities at the municipal/ward/community level, reinforcing the capacity of government.
12. Facilitation and ensure that School meals program and its associated activities are well reflected in the Local level plans and policies and promoting multisectoral approach to school meals.
13. Support Local governments to develop and contextualize policies, programmes and procedures to address the local needs.
14. Perform other duties as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area with focus on a relevant discipline: agriculture, nutrition, gender studies, development studies, information management, social sciences, law, human rights, international development, or related field.

Experience:

1. At least 6 years of relevant experience in implementing technical programs at field level (i.e. agriculture, nutrition, etc.).
2. Has observed or assisted with policy discussions.
3. Has worked with technical teams.
4. Has contributed to implementation of programmes and provided input into designing operations.
5. Has deep technical knowledge and experience in Food Security, Nutrition and Education programming.

Language:
Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English and Nepali languages.

Knowledge and skills:

1. Ability to develop and maintain networks with variety of stakeholders.
2. Emerging facilitation skills to support workshops and group discussions.
3. Ability to convey an informed and professional demeanour towards partners and stakeholders.
4. Flexibility to adapt individual contributions to changing contexts and needs.
5. Ability to participate in open dialogue and value diverse opinions, regardless of background, culture, experience, or context.
6. Willingness to explore and experiment new ideas and approaches in own work.
7. Ability to work independently in a timely and organised manner.
8. Ability to work in a team and multi-task as needed.
9. Must be familiar with MS office package.
10. Competency in communication and reporting in English language.
11. Nepali Typing skill is an asset.
12. Driving skills with valid license for motorbike will be an added value.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK: COMMON STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

All WFP Employees are expected to demonstrate the competencies and standards of behaviour aligned with our core values and defined in the WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK, namely:

• Leading by example with integrity,
• Driving results and delivering on commitments,
• Fostering inclusive and collaborative teamwork,
• Applying strategic thinking,
• Building and maintaining sustainable partnerships

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Request for Disability related Reasonable Accommodations: 

It is important to WFP to create an accessible and inclusive workplace for everyone.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.  If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection and hiring process, please direct your request and inquiries to nepal.hr@wfp.org. A member of the HR team responsible for reasonable accommodation will contact you to confidentially discuss your needs.

This email is intended solely for addressing disability related accessibility requirements and should not be used to send applications. Therefore, any applications or CVs sent to this email address will not be considered formal applications and WFP will not respond for any query regarding this subject.

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.

Deadline of Application: 27.06.2024