Programme Associate

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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 World Food Programme is the 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, TikTok.

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).

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the Bhutan country strategic plan 2024–2028, WFP will strengthen and support the Government’s efforts to deliver equitable and inclusive economic growth and advance human capital development. A prominent feature of the country strategic plan will be the expansion of WFP’s capacity-strengthening efforts for government institutions and the engagement of private sector partners, with a focus on gender issues.
WFP focuses on a food system and resilience approach in its strategic partnerships with the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB), supporting Bhutan in enhancing food security and nutrition, and a transformative food system that is sustainable and economically viable. WFP has a strategic system approach to developing climate-resilient food systems and supports the RGoB across the food system and agriculture value chain – from production in the field to final consumption. WFP support is provided through various programmes and activities that aim to increase demand for locally available nutrient-dense foods while supporting smallholder farmers and the RGoB in strengthening production capacity, post-harvest management, marketing, knowledge management, cost efficiency, and coordination and policy.
WFP is introducing a new capacity-strengthening portfolio under CSP outcome 1 that will enable the Government to provide smallholder farmers with gender-transformative support for improving the production, aggregation, transformation, and marketing of nutritious food. To support this programme. WFP seeks to recruit a programme associate to strengthen the WFP food system and resilience unit to enhance internal capacity. This would result in improving its programmatic and capacity-strengthening services, targeted at government partners, other relevant stakeholders, and beneficiaries.

This position is based in Thimphu and reports to Head, Food System and Resilience Unit.     

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

1.Provide technical support and assist in the development and implementation of various activities and processes within food systems and resilience, supporting alignment with wider WFP programme policies and guidelines.
2. Provide specialized project management support to the technical assistance component of the “Building Resilient Commercial Smallholder Agriculture” (BRECSA) project and/or other food system and resilience 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 food systems and resilience, support preparation of a range of reports and data analysis, e.g., technical assistance needs, resource utilization, programme status, performance and highlight trends/issues ensuring programme deliverables adhere to corporate standards and quality control.
4. Ensure and/or perform accurate, timely recording of data within the specific technical area of food systems and resilience and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
5. Liaise with internal counterparts to support effective collaboration, implementation, and monitoring of ongoing BRECSA and other project activities.
6. Coordinate and communicate with RGoB counterparts, local partners, agencies, CSOs and government institutions to carry out programme analyses and to ensure efficient delivery of WFP technical assistance.
7. Support the capacity strengthening of WFP staff, implementing partners and national government within the specific technical area of food systems and resilience.
8. Act as a point of contact for the resolution of a range of operational queries and problems within food systems and resilience.
9. Collaborate with support staff to contribute to delivering objectives to agreed standards and deadlines.
10. In the event of a crisis, follow standard emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP can quickly respond and deploy needed support to affected areas.
11. Others as required.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS (details to be determined by Post Managers):
1. Review budget plans, monitor and analyse project financial performance and make recommendations in compliance with WFP financial policies and procedures and best practices, to support financial analysis and optimisation of resources.
2. Maintain communication with a number of stakeholders regarding project funds management matters and related processes, to clarify any discrepancies and optimise use of funds.
3. Enter project budget plans and revisions in the corporate systems, to ensure data is timely and accurately captured enabling easy access to information and supporting planning and decision-making.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in a relevant area such as agriculture, nutrition, food security, project management, or related field.

Experience: Six or more years of progressively responsible work experience in a related functional area.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Good knowledge and skills in implementing and managing technical programmes, supporting and providing capacity-strengthening services.

• Experience working in collaboration with a diverse array of development stakeholders, including government, UN, development partners, civil society, etc.
• Experience working with technical teams, e.g., agriculture, nutrition, food security, school feeding would be an asset.
• Skills in capacity strengthening of farmer groups and cooperatives in agriculture marketing and rural business development would be an asset.
• Experience in procurement and budgeting processes would be an asset.
• Good communication skills in order to provide specialized business support services to a wide range of individuals.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and monitor budgets.
• Ability to build relationships with a variety of individuals across functions.
• Experience in coordinating the work of others and self and training and supporting others.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English (Level C) and Dzongkha.

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 [email protected]. 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.

• 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 [email protected] 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.