Programme Assistant (Delivery Assurance) SC5, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

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.

 

Deadline of Application: May 19th, 2024

this vacancy announcement is for Nationals from CO (specified).  

 

Why Apply?

Are you passionate about making a tangible impact on people’s lives? As a Programme Associate for Delivery Assurance with the World Food Programme (WFP) in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, you’ll play a crucial role in advancing social protection systems, disaster risk management, and sustainable food systems. Your work will directly contribute to enhancing the resilience and livelihoods of vulnerable communities.

What Are We Looking For?

We’re seeking a dynamic individual who thrives in a cross-cutting environment. If you have experience in banking, data analysis, project management, or digital solutions, this role is tailor-made for you. Collaborate with national partners, model innovative approaches, and ensure no one is left behind. Your expertise in working in diverse project settings and dynamic organizations will be pivotal in achieving our vision of poverty reduction and sustainable food security.

Why Is It Exciting?

Imagine being part of a team that pioneers change. You’ll work alongside experts in nutrition, climate risk management, and market access. From empowering local communities to strengthening schools as platforms for healthy diets, your impact will resonate far beyond the Kyrgyz Republic. Join us in shaping a brighter future!

Please note the functional area is called Delivery Assurance, since as of Feb 2024 we do not have a corporate function called CBT anymore: docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000156478/download/

 

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. 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.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org/

 

BACKGROUND

 

WFP’s vision is that people in the Kyrgyz Republic will have substantially increased access to national social protection systems that safeguard and foster their ability to meet their food security, nutrition and associated essential needs, and to manage the risks and shocks they face, with ample opportunity to graduate from poverty and contribute to sustainable food systems, national disaster risk management efforts and social cohesion.

 

WFP, the second largest UN agency in the Kyrgyz Republic, will support and promote the inclusion of people with diverse and often intersecting vulnerabilities and inequalities, by supporting nationally led social and civil protection systems and programmes (strengthening the government’s ability for anticipatory action and ensuring that no one is left behind) and by modelling new approaches within complementary WFP interventions (which can be adopted or transitioned), leveraging WFP’s global expertise in promoting healthy diets and sustainable food systems, climate risk management, warehousing, food safety, smallholder market access and innovations such as private sector-oriented solutions, micro-insurance and digital public goods.

 

Derived from the UN Cooperation Framework and national priorities, promoting participatory community engagement and nutrition-sensitive approaches, the 2nd generation Country Strategic Plan (2023-27 ENtendersglobal.netRU) continues WFP’s human capital development, capacity building and productive asset creation activities to enhance the resilience and livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable, with a focus on food systems strengthening across three core pillars: (i) Social Protection; (ii) Climate Change Adaption, Disaster Risk Management & Emergency Preparedness; and (iii) Schools as platforms for healthy diets. In addition, a contingent emergency response outcome can be activated in case of need.

 

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

 

The Programme Assistant works as part of the Programme Unit and in support of the specific Programme teams to ensure effective and integrated operational implementation of WFP Programme activities, including but not limited to food and cash assistance, trainings and human capital development of partners and people in Kyrgyzstan. The role additionally supports analytics and data management and contributes to all activities in the field to ensure appropriate corporate procedures and guidelines are followed in a timely manner.

 

Supervision: The Programme Assistant will be directly supervised by the Programme Policy Officer (Cash-based Transfers) and under the general supervision of the Head of Programme.

 

 KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):

 

1. Provide technical support and assist in the development and implementation of various activities and processes within the specific area of work supporting alignment with wider programme policies and guidelines.
2. Provide specialized project management support to specific and/or defined programmes to ensure that the various activities are performed within the established targets following WFP’s policies and procedures. 
3. Within the specific area of responsibility, prepare a range of reports and data analysis (e.g. food assistance needs, resource utilization, programme status, performance) and highlight trends/issues ensuring deliverables adhere to corporate standards and quality control.
4. Ensure and/or perform accurate, timely recording of data within the specific technical area of work (e.g. assistance programmes, food security and vulnerability assessments) and consistency of information presented to stakeholders. 
5. Liaise with internal counterparts to support effective collaboration, implementation and monitoring of ongoing project activities.
6. Coordinate and communicate with local partners, agencies, NGOs and government institutions to perform accurate food security analyses and to ensure efficient delivery of food assistance. 
7. Support the capacity building of WFP staff, cooperating partners and national government within the specific technical area.
8. Act as a point of contact for resolution of a range of operational queries and problems within a specific technical area of responsibility.   
9. Oversee and/or review the work of other support staff, providing practical advice and guidance, to contribute to delivering objectives to agreed standards and deadlines.
10. Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP is able to quickly respond and deploy needed resources to affected areas at the onset of the crisis.

 

SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

 

1. Assist in the implementation of Programme activities in line with the WFP Country Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and in line with the corporate assurance framework.
2. Contribute to data and information management outputs, including financial and retail and IT sector in close collaboration with RAM, IT, Supply Chain and Budget and Programming units.
3. Assist in the development and implementation of emergency preparedness and contingency actions related to food and cash assistance to ensure integration and alignment of WFP assistance with relevant partners.
4. Work on daily basis with key counterparts in other WFP units, partners, agencies, NGOs and government as needed, including contributing to Cash Working Group and other meetings and drafting notes for the record.
5. Contribute to in close collaboration with relevant other WFP units in ensuring WFP agreements with NGO and government partners and service providers relevant for Programme activities are strictly followed and implemented, including submission of supporting documents and following relevant reporting requirements and timelines.
6. Ensure data entries related to programme activities are recorded by Programme unit in relevant corporate systems in compliant and timely manner.
7. Support negotiations and communications with partners and maintain day-to-day operational contact with counterparts in the field level and escalate any issues as necessary.
8. Support organization and implementation of information and awareness raising campaigns and activities for people targeted by WFP programmes in close collaboration with relevant units.
9. Contribute to the proper functioning of a CFM system in liaison with RAM unit, including follow-up on complaints and feedback from project participants and community members in accordance with the escalation matrix.
10. Assist together with IT and RAM in setup and operation of the relevant software applications related to delivery of WFP assistance, including collection of data for creation and review of distribution lists, management of cards and vouchers, review and analysis of distribution reports, reconciliation of planned and actual distribution data.
11. Liaise with Budget and Programming unit, Finance and Supply Chain on payments of partner and vendor fees, replenishment of funds for distributions.
12. Draft, revise and implement Standard Operating Procedures as required.
13. Perform any other duties as required.

 

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES:

 

Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance Demonstrates ability to identify key variables and contextual factors that affect food assistance problems and programmes throughout the lifecycle to inform quality programme design or re-design.

Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Vouchers) Demonstrates ability to implement, under guidance, food assistance programmes deploying the full range of transfer modalities with an understanding of basic principles guiding modality selection and implementation.

Broad Knowledge of Specialized Areas Understands basic technical concepts and data and their relevance to food assistance programmes.

Emergency Programming Displays capacity to provide inputs into the development, implementation and realignment of high quality emergency programmes.

Strategic Policy Engagement w/Government Understands and applies basic principles of engagement with government counterparts at the national or local level.

 

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• • Has worked with technical teams in financial management, data analysis, and development programmes in civil society organizations, private sector, government or academic or educational institutions.
  • Has contributed to implementation of programmes and projects involving cash transfer, food assistance or social protection in rural areas and with civil society organizations, private sector, government or academic or educational institutions.
  • Has observed or assisted with programme design and policy-related discussions.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area, such as business administration, finance, retail, accounting, data analysis is desirable.

Experience:At least five years of progressively responsible work experience in the project support, banking, retail, accounting or development sector, providing assistance and operational knowledge and experience on Cash Transfers, Social Protection and Government Advisory, Digital Assistance or other related field.

Language:Fluency (level C) in both oral and written communication in English and proficiency in the duty station’s language(s) (Russian or Kyrgyz, both considered an advantage).

 

All WFP Employees are expected to demonstrate the competencies and standards of behavior 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.

 

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

 

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. 

 

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 the Diversity and Inclusion team on:  global.inclusion@wfp.org, cc’ing bangkok.recruitment@wfp.org. A member of the reasonable accommodation team 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 volume of applications, any applications or CVs sent through this email address will not be considered as a formal application and will not receive a reply from WFP. 

 

Please note that WFP may keep candidates who successfully passed recruitment tests and interviews, but were not the first-choice candidate selected for a position, on a roster for similar (or lower-level) upcoming positions or short-term opportunities for direct contracting. Successful candidates will be informed about their inclusion into the roster.
 

 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

WFP, the second largest UN agency in the Kyrgyz Republic, will support and promote the inclusion of people with diverse and often intersecting vulnerabilities and inequalities, by supporting nationally led social and civil protection systems and programmes (strengthening the government’s ability for anticipatory action and ensuring that no one is left behind) and by modelling new approaches within complementary WFP interventions (which can be adopted or transitioned), leveraging WFP’s global expertise in promoting healthy diets and sustainable food systems, climate risk management, warehousing, food safety, smallholder market access and innovations such as private sector-oriented solutions, micro-insurance and digital public goods.

 

Derived from the UN Cooperation Framework and national priorities, promoting participatory community engagement and nutrition-sensitive approaches, the 2nd generation Country Strategic Plan (2023-27 ENtendersglobal.netRU) continues WFP’s human capital development, capacity building and productive asset creation activities to enhance the resilience and livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable, with a focus on food systems strengthening across three core pillars: (i) Social Protection and Active Labour Market strengthening; (ii) Climate Change Adaption, Disaster Risk Management & Emergency Preparedness; and (iii) Schools as platforms for healthy diets. In addition, a contingent emergency response outcome can be activated in case of need.

 

WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce. WFP has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority or discrimination. 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.