Website World Food Programme (WFP)
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Career Opportunities: Programme Assistant (HGSF District Coordinator) (830038)
ABOUT WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) 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. The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. WFP has been supporting the GON to implement the school meals program through food transfers since 1974 to improve education and nutritional outcomes in Nepal. In 2008, the GON have scaled up the program into 19 districts using its own resources through a cash transfer approach, and due to strong prioritization of school meals by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology this program has been sharply increased from 2020. Currently, the school meals program is among the largest social safety net programs in Nepal, reaching almost 3.3 million school children enrolled in basic education, representing approximately 100% of net enrolment in community schools. Despite the impressive expansion of the program, it is yet to produce the results that were envisioned. For the cash-based school meals program, national funds are channeled directly to municipalities, shifting responsibility to local authorities and the schools themselves. In response to the government s request of technical assistance to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of the school meals program, WFP has designed a capacity building activity to increase the efficacy of the cash-based school meals program, under a Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) approach. The HGSF District Coordinator will assist farmers and farmer cooperatives, schools, and local governments of Jumla on better management and increased accountability of the midday meals program, for healthier eating habits and nutrition of students and their families, and increased participation of local small holder farmers as regular suppliers of food to school meals.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Program Assistant (HGSF District Coordinator) will work under the overall guidance of Head of Field Office and direct supervision of the Program Associate (HGSF Provincial Coordinator) based in Field Office, Surkhet, and technical support and guidance provided by the School Meals Program Manager (CO), Kathmandu. He/she will work closely work with the Tatopani Rural Municipality, Jumla, District Coordination Committee (DCC), District Social Development Office and other government and non- government agencies involved on this activity to coordinate the implementation of planned activities at field level.
JOB PURPOSE
The Program Assistant (HGSF District Coordinator) will be responsible for assisting the WFP for an effective and coordinated implementation of planned activities for rolling out the HGSF model in Jumla, ensuring timely and quality delivery of expected outputs and outcomes.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Position Title: Programme Assistant (HGSF District Coordinator)
Contract Type: Service Contract (SC)
Grade: SC-5
Contract Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Duty Station: Tatopani Rural Municipality, Jumla under Surkhet Field Office
Vacancy Number: 830038
This vacancy announcement is ONLY for Nepalese Nationals.
WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, social security, leave plus a medical insurance (https://www.henner.com/wfp).
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
Under the overall guidance of Head of Field Office and supervision of the Program Associate (HGSF Provincial Coordinator) and technical guidance from the School Meals Programme Manager (CO), Kathmandu, the job holder will carry out the following tasks:
- Preparation of detailed implementation plan jointly with local government that includes the major activities i.e. trainings and other capacity building, customized menu planning, boost up local production and supply chain between cooperatives or farmers as food suppliers etc.
- Hold regular coordination meetings with local government, and school staff and committees, farmers cooperatives, and other stakeholders, and assist in informing the results and progresses, according to workplan developed.
- Provide support in operationalizing the supply chain cycle for supplying school meals, closely working with LG, cooperatives, and schools in line with planned school menus and forward contract.
- Provide specialized assistance to cooperatives and farmers to promote timely production of both nutrition dense crops and diverse food production to supply school meals.
- Support in carrying out orientations and training to selected cooperatives and farmers groups of the Tatopani Rural Municipality of Jumla to increase their capacity to properly supply HGSF menus.
- Support the identification of potential collaboration and partnerships for social safety nets at the municipal/ward/community level, reinforcing the capacity of government.
- Assist in integrating aspects such as social protection, school health and nutrition, local purchase from small farmer holders and agriculture cooperatives, and other development activities into the annual/periodic planning and budgeting process of local government.
- Assist in ongoing school health and nutrition related activities as and when needed.
- Sssist on collecting and consolidate required information for project/local level planning and implementation processes.
- Provide full support and assistance to other Rural/Urban Municipalities and DCC, in planning and budgeting of annual and quarterly activities.
- Assist the related federal, provincial, and local-level government officials and stakeholders in ensuring timely monitoring of the field activities and reporting as well as undertake regular field visits to track progress of implementation at the field level.
- Within the specific area of responsibility, track and analyzing data to provide input into reporting activities and contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on activities ensuring a proper database is maintained on project progress, lesson learned and best practices.
- Other as required and assigned by the supervisor and Head of Field Office, Surkhet.
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. Bachelor s degree in the related field is desirable.
Language: Fluency in both written and spoken English and Nepali Languages.
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE
- At least five years’ experience in implementing technical programs at field level(i.e., agriculture, nutrition, etc.).
- Has facilitated communication with technical teams (i.e., nutrition, agriculture, school meals etc)
- Has observed or assisted with policy discussions.
- Successful track record in networking with government/public sector, private sector, civil society, UN agencies, donors, and research institutions.
- Emerging facilitation skills enough to support workshops and group discussions.
- Ability to develop and maintain networks with a variety of stakeholders.
- Ability to participate in open dialogue and value diverse opinions, regardless of background, culture, experience.
OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
- Ability to work in team and independently in the specific area or responsibility in a timely and organized manner.
- Willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
- Flexibility to adapt individual contributions to changing contexts and needs.
- Must be familiar with MS office.
- Nepali Typing skill is an asset.
- Driving skills with valid license for conducting motorbike is necessary to this job.
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.
FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES
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: 01 November 2023