Programme Associate

To provide specialized and technical support for various WFP-specific interventions, including Shora Neza, JP-RWEE, Conservation Agriculture initiatives, and FTMA. The position requires close collaboration with field staff from Cooperating Partners (NGO partners) to track and assess progress effectively. Additionally, the role involves diligently filling process monitoring tools and recording relevant data to ensure comprehensive documentation of program activities. 

JOB PURPOSE

• To provide effective specialized support and technical analyses to policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive)

• Under the general supervision of the head of field office, and direct/technical supervision of the National Programme Policy Officer (SAMS unit), the Programme Associate will be responsible for providing effective specialized support and technical analyses to policy and Programme activities linked to smallholder farmers support within the delegated authority including (but not limited to):
• The incumbent is tasked with providing specialized and technical support, documenting, and evaluating the performance of WFP SAMS initiatives involving farmers’ organizations, cooperatives, and individual Farmer Service Centers (FSCs). Beyond routine follow-ups and performance recording, the role demands a nuanced understanding of the private sector’s role within the agricultural sector. The Programme Associate should leverage this understanding to recommend strategic interventions that contribute to enhancing smallholder farmers’ productivity, improving market access, and overall performance. These recommendations should be informed by insights gained through the continuous monitoring of field-level activities and performances.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical support and assist in the development and implementation of various activities linked to SHF support and processes at the field office level, supporting alignment with wider programme policies and guidelines.
• Act as the focal point for all SHF-related field activities, in close consultation with the WFP country office and SHF unit.
• Provide specialized support to SHF operations and programmes to ensure that the various activities are performed within the established targets following WFP’s policies and procedures in the following areas:
• Conduct needs assessments of target SHFs, using standardized tools and approaches.
• Facilitate participating farmer organizations and farmer-friendly aggregation entities to access agricultural services by coordinating with key value chain stakeholders on the ground.
• Facilitate linkages of cooperatives to private sector entities for access to post-harvest handling equipment
• Assist cooperatives and other aggregation entities to adhere to terms of forward delivery contracts facilitated by WFP.
• Conduct training of trainers of partner staff, as well as ensure quality monitoring of all SHF-related capacity building activities.
• Within the specific area of responsibility, prepare a range of reports and data analysis (e.g. programme status, performance) and highlight trends/issues ensuring deliverables adhere to corporate standards and quality control.
• Ensure and/or perform accurate, timely recording of data within the specific technical area of work and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Liaise with internal counterparts across functional units to support effective collaboration, implementation and monitoring of ongoing project activities.
• Coordinate and communicate with local partners, agencies, NGOs and sub-national government institutions to perform SHF-related activities in a timely and effective manner.
• Support the capacity building of WFP staff, and cooperating partners involved in implementing WFP supported activities related to smallholder farmers.
• Act as a point of contact for resolution of a range of operational queries and problems related to SHF support within the geographic area of responsibility.

 STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: First University degree or a Post Secondary Certificate in agriculture, Agri business, rural development, or other related fields.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Demonstrates ability to identify key variables and contextual factors that affect Programme implementation throughout the lifecycle to inform quality Programme design or re-design.
• 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.
• Understands basic technical concepts and data and their relevance to the SAMS portfolio.
• Displays capacity to provide inputs into the development, implementation, and realignment of the programme

Source: https://career5.successfactors.eu//career?career_ns=job_listing&company=C0000168410P&navBarLevel=JOB_SEARCH&rcm_site_locale=en_GB&career_job_req_id=832689