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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 (SDG 2) 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 Sri Lanka since 1968 and helped the country in emergency response and protracted recovery interventions in the aftermath of man-made disasters such as the 27-year conflict and recurrent natural disasters (droughts and floods/landslides). Despite sound health indicators in Sri Lanka – in comparison to its South Asian neighboring countries – maternal, new-born and child malnutrition continue to pose a major challenge for the country, characterized by a high level of acute malnutrition, mild to moderate levels of chronic malnutrition and widespread micronutrient deficiencies. Since 2020 Sri Lanka has faced several waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a multidimensional impact on public health, the economy and human and social rights. Additionally, Sri Lanka is currently facing an unprecedented economic crisis that might jeopardize the country’s achievements toward food security and nutrition have done so far against the SDG agenda 2030.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position Title: Programme Policy Officer – Food Technologist 

Contract Type: Fixed Term (NOA)

Contract Duration: 12 Months 

Duty Station: Colombo Sri Lanka

Nationality: Sri Lankan only

Remuneration: Attractive remuneration package following UN policy including salary and medical insurance

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

15 APRIL 2024

JOB PURPOSE

The WFP country strategic plan for 2023–2027 seeks to provide protective food assistance and other support as required in the short term and to restore and improve food security and nutrition by developing in-country capacity and reducing vulnerability through an integrated social protection and nutrition-specific and sensitive approach that layers and sequences programming. This aims to improve food security and nutrition by empowering vulnerable communities and individuals to cope with shocks, diversify livelihood and strengthen government capacity through technical support to ensure that gender-informed risksensitive planning is integrated into public investment policies and local development initiatives, redressing structural and socio-cultural inequalities.

Under CSP outcome 4, WFP Sri Lanka aims that the national and sub-national institutions and stakeholders in Sri Lanka will enhance their capacity to enable adaptive and resilient food systems to improve food security and nutrition. It will results in food insecure groups, including pregnant and lactating women, children under 5 and school-age children (age 5–19), benefit from the enhanced capacity of national and subnational public, social and private sector institutions that have been strengthened with innovative tools to enable them to address malnutrition.

Programme Policy Officer Food Technologist (Rice Fortification), who is specialized in rice fortification is pivotal for the execution of the above-mentioned project to provide effective specialized support and technical knowledge on fortified rice production and quality assurance.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Provide technical support and assist in the development and implementation of various activities and processes related to fortified rice production and quality assurance throughout supporting alignment with wider programme policies and guidelines.
2. Provide assistance to implement the specialized rice fortification project support to nutrition and School-based programs to ensure that the various activities are performed within the established targets following WFP’s policies and procedures.
3. With the technical support and guidance from the relevant national authorities, technical experts and WFP regional bureau experts, internal focal staff facilitate the rice kernel importation and blending facilities, putting forward recommendations for improved processes and quality assurance.
4. Prepare necessary reports and data analysis related to rice fortification and highlight trends/issues ensuring deliverables adhere to corporate standards and quality control.
5. Ensure and/or perform accurate, timely recording of data and consistency of information presented to stakeholders and project reporting purposes
6. Liaise with internal and external counterparts to support effective collaboration, implementation and monitoring of ongoing project activities.
7. Work closely with the National Food Promotion Board, coordinate and communicate with various other stakeholders of the project
8. Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government partners
9. Working collaboratively with the supporting staff and the team
10. Perform other related duties as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master’s Degree in Food Science and Technology, food engineering or related field or basic degree in with 5 years additional experience in food fortification, food science or related field
Language: Proficiency in both oral and written communication skills in English. Written and oral communication skills in Sinhala and/or Tamil are preferred.

Experience: 

• Minimum of at least three (3) years of postgraduate professional experience in the Food technology field.

• Having prior work experience in food fortification is an advantage

• Specific technical knowledge regarding rice fortification is a must

• Demonstrable experience working with multisectoral technical teams (i.e., Food safety, Food quality, nutrition, Agriculture technology, VAM, etc.) and contributed to the implementation of programmes.

• Has observed or assisted with policy discussions and policy formulation.

To Apply:

Click ‘Apply’ to the link below to start the application process. Candidates are requested to create an account in WFP E-Recruitment system before applying.

Please also include your CV with a cover letter, highlighting your motivation and suitability for this vacancy, as part of an online application.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package including basic salary and medical insurance.

Please visit https://www.wfp.org/countries/sri-lanka to learn more about WFP’s operations in Sri Lanka.

We want to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible. Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us of any accessibility needs you may have.  

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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.

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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.