Programme Associate at World Food Programme (WFP)

Programme Associate (JPRWEE), SC-6

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

1 September 2024-23:59-GMT+02:00 Central Africa Time (Kigali)

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.

Are you interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organization investing in its people?

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you!!! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & 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 climate change.

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.

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).

JOB TITLE: Programme Associate (JP RWEE)

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Service contract level 6

UNIT/DIVISION: Smallholder Agriculture Market Support (SAMS)

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Kigali

DURATION:12 months, renewable upon satisfactory performance and availability of funding.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

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 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.

The SAMS unit is seeking to recruit a Programme Associate Staff (SAMS) to support the implementation of the Joint Programme on Rural Women Economic Empowerment (JPRWEE), a programme jointly implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the Unites Nations (FAO), International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (UN WOMEN).

The JPRWEE is under its second phase of implementation (2022-2027) under the funding of Gates Foundation to secure rural women livelihoods and rights in the context of SDGs. It is implemented in Gisagara, Kirehe, Ngoma, Nyamasheke and Nyaruguru districts. WFP leads activities on organizational strengthening of farmers’ groups, post-harvest handling and storage and quality improvement, access to markets etc.

The position will be based in the WFP Rwanda Country Office in Kigali and the job holder will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Policy Officer (SAMS). This position requires an experienced individual with a high degree of independence and will require collaboration with of other UN participating agencies and partners including government at central and local levels. The successful applicant is expected to manage resources and coordinate the activities of the project, as well as collaborate with other projects at Country Office level.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not-all-inclusive)

Under the overall supervision of the Head of SAMS Unit, and technical supervision of the Programme Policy Officer and JP RWEE National Coordinator, the incumbent will:

• Support of the JPRWEE National Coordinator for timely delivery on programme deliverables, as well as in planning, budgeting, implementation, and M&E duties.

• Support cooperating partner engagement through regular meetings, tracking of progress on activities, as well as provide support such as processing payments. Support the organization of technical working group meetings, bilateral community meetings, and meetings with partners. Prepare “notes for the record” and follow up.

• Provide operational support to the team, including managing advances, invoices, purchase orders (PO), and purchase requests (PR), while liaising with relevant units such as procurement, finance, and administration.

• Provide support to partners in implementing activities, including ensuring the collaboration of key stakeholders, local authorities, rural women’s groups, partner NGOs, and value chain actors.

• Support collection of success stories, lessons learnt and contribute to knowledge management products.

• Prepare accurate monthly reports based on approved M&E plans and review and provide feedback on cooperating partner progress reports.

• Support the organisation of South-to-South Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) activities, including coordination and logistics for visits, sharing of materials and documenting activities.

• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Relevant experience in development and agricultural fields, with emphasis on pro-smallholder approaches, and rural women economic empowerment. 

• Demonstrated ability to provide consistent and timely feedback to meet the changing needs and expectations of the programme targets.

• Take ownership of assigned tasks, establish priorities, and monitor own work plan with minimum supervision.

• Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relations with results-oriented partners as well as internal WFP staff. 

• Good analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, tact, and negotiating skills.

• Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing and in multiple contexts.

• Strong ability to take initiative with research and analysis and produce valuable results in conditions of uncertainty; solid operational skills including problem solving and project management skills, including ability to work and deliver projects proactively and under pressure.

• Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder engagement is an asset.

Education:

First University degree in one or more of the following disciplines: economics, gender analysis, agriculture, rural development, Business administration, accounting sciences or a field relevant to agricultural value chain management and gender plus 6 (six) years of relevant experience. OR a master’s degree in above disciplines plus 3 years of relevant experience in agribusiness, project management or value chain analysis, rural development, Gender analysis, business administration with a strong focus on rural developed and gender.

Experience:

• At least six years of relevant professional experience in the implementation of development or humanitarian projects or programmes. Work experience in the agricultural livelihoods, resilience or social protection thematic fields like gender is an added advantage.

• Previous experience in supporting projects and programmes on women empowerment, youth, people with special needs is highly recommended. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of working with rural communities

• Experience in gender transformative programming.

• Experience in working with teams.

• Working knowledge of French

Knowledge & Skills:

• Has a proactive attitude, an ability to plan work and prioritise competing activities and complete them.

• Has worked with technical teams (i.e. programme, nutrition, gender, rural development, agriculture etc.) to implement development or humanitarian projects or programmes.

• Has experience in liaison with government authorities, partners and other stakeholders for programme implementation.

• Has strong interpersonal skills and ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds and to manage external partnerships.

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in English language and Kinyarwanda

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 dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

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

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application on the button below

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at wfprecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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.