Programme Associate (Food Fortification)
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WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.
WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and 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.
WFP has been present in Nepal since 1963 and provided assistance to the country in emergency response and protracted recovery interventions in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake and recurrent natural disasters (mainly floods and landslides). While the country has made considerable progress and remarkable achievements in socio-economic indicators, a significant gap remains in strengthening food security and nutrition given Nepal’s alarming levels of malnutrition, especially stunting, and wasting, achieving gender equality, and eliminating geographic and socio-economic disparities among the most marginalized groups and thereby leaving no one behind (LNOB).
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
In WFP Nepal, the currents Country Strategic Programme (CSP 2019-2023) establishes as strategic outcome that food-insecure people in targeted areas have improved nutrition throughout the key stages of their lives by 2025. The CSP’s Strategic Outcome 2 (SO2) establishes outputs for targeted populations, including: children aged 6-59 months, pregnant and lactating women and girls and schoolchildren, receive an integrated package of assistance to prevent malnutrition and improve diets; targeted populations in food-insecure areas receive nutrition-sensitive, shock-responsive and gender-transformative social services delivered through a strengthened national social protection framework; and people benefiting from the national social safety net programme receive post-harvest fortified rice.
WFP Nepal's Country Strategic Plan (CSP 2019-2023) integrates five strategic outcomes (SO), of which SO 2 supports the decentralization of the national social protection framework to realign with the federal system, including the Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) programme and rice fortification. The SO 2 contributes to United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) outcome area 2, SDG2.2 and WFP Strategic Results 2. It also takes a life cycle approach to addressing malnutrition, food security, health and hygiene practices including WASH, education, and women's empowerment with focus on pregnant and lactating women and adolescent girls (PLWG), children aged 6 — 23 months and school children in regions with high prevalence of food insecurity and/or malnutrition. These activities are embedded in the National Framework for Social Protection (201 1-2021), the Multisector Nutrition Plan (MSNP Il 2018-2022), and the School Sector Development Plan (SSDP 2016-2023).
Since 1996, food fortification has been on World Food Programme (WFP) Nepal ‘s agenda through the sourcing and provision of fortified blended nutritious foods such as the corn/wheat soya blend for distribution under the mother and child health and nutrition (MCHN) programme to prevent malnutrition. WFP also played a facilitating role in connecting and supporting government and private sector actors to fortify rice locally, as well as advocating for integration of fortification in national and policy.
The Programme Associate will work under the overall guidance of Head of Field Office and direct supervision of the Senior Programme Associate (Nutrition Coordinator) based in Field Office, Surkhet, and technical support and guidance provided by the Programme Policy Officer (Food Fortification) and the Head of Nutrition in Country Office (CO), Kathmandu. He/she will work closely work with the different government agencies at provincial and local levels to ensure proper implementation of rice fortification programme activities in Karnali Province. The staff member will be based in Field Office, Surkhet, while s/he will provide technical assistance to the provincial ministries, directorates, Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) and local governments.
JOB PURPOSE
To provide technical and operational support to the Karnali Province Government including Ministry of Social Development (MOSD), Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperative (MOLMAC), Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forestry and Environment (MOITFE), Health Service Directorate (HSD), Provincial Office of Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC), and Food Technology and Quality Control Offices (FTQCOs) in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, as well as knowledge management of activities relating to the rice fortification under the guidance of WFP Nutrition Unit and Field Office, Surkhet.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Position Title: Programme Associate (Food Fortification)
Contract Type: Service Contract (SC)
Level: SC-6 (Equiv. to G-6)
Contract Duration:12 months (With possible renewal)
Duty Station: Surkhet, Nepal
Vacancy Number: 828194
Date of Publication: 5 July 2023
Deadline of Application: 18 July 2023
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
Under the overall guidance of Head of Field Office and supervision of the Senior Programme Associate (Nutrition Coordinator) and technical guidance from the Programme Policy Officer (Food Fortification) at CO, the job holder will carry out the following tasks:
- Provide technical and operational support for the implementation of the Government of Nepal's approved standards for fortified rice manufacturing by adhering to its quality protocol.
- Ensure specialized supply chain management support of the fortified rice to the project area.
- Ensure proper utilization and compliance of the fortified rice by the ultimate consumer of the rice products.
- Provide support in contributing to the development of fortification activities, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with provincial level nutrition policies and guidance.
- Provide support to assess needs and organize/facilitate fortification orientation, review workshop, training and refresher courses to help develop the capacity of the FMTC and DFTQC staff at the provincial, district and local level in coordination with the Field Office and CO Nutrition Unit.
- Conduct social behavior change communication activities for rice fortification.
- Represent WFP in different provincial level forums and share information that enhance collaboration with Government agencies and build support for WFP’s rice fortification activities.
- Coordinate and organize regular joint supportive supervision/coaching visits to Districts, LGs and health facilities, followed by a review meeting at Provincial level to reflect on the observations of the joint visit.
- Provide support to strengthen the capacity of food depots, FMTC staffs and private sector for production, distribution/sales of the fortified rice.
- Within the specific area of responsibility compile and disseminate case studies and/or lessons that would support scale up of innovations/best practices.
- Provide necessary technical support for initiation fair price shops activities.
- Others as required and suggested by the supervisor.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area. Bachelor’s degree in any disciplines of nutrition science or food science and technology is desirable.
Language: Fluency in both written and spoken English and Nepali Languages.
OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS
Knowledge & Skills:
- Knowledge of programme support activities and procedures
- Knowledge of standard office software packages, e.g., Microsoft word.
- Ability to work to deadlines and follow clear instruction.
- Must be familiar with MS office.
- Nepali Typing skill is an asset.This section is optional to describe additional responsibilities & knowledge required for the specific job.
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE
- At least six years’ experience in management of multisectoral nutrition programmes, coordination within team, involvement in food fortification activities, and/or operational sides of food assistance or relief operations.
- Successful track record in networking with government/public sector, private sector, civil society, UN agencies, donors and research institutions.
- Has contributed to implementation of programmes
- Has observed or assisted with policy discussions.
- General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations, and procedures in the area of work is an advantage.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK: COMMON STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR
Leads by example with Integrity
Drives results and Delivers on commitments
Fosters inclusive and collaborative teamwork.
Applies strategic thinking
Builds and maintains sustainable partnerships
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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 [email protected]. A member of the HR team responsible for reasonable accommodation will contact you to confidentially discuss your needs.
This email is only to be used for any disability related accessibility requirements and not for sending the application itself. Due to the volume of applications, any applications or CVs sent through this email address will not be considered a formal application and will not receive a reply from WFP.
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.
