Career Opportunities: Programme Associate (SAMS), Karongi, SC6 (832689)
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.
POSITION DETAILS
Job Title: Programme Associate (SAMS), SC 6
Type of Contract: Service Contract (SC)
Contract Level: SC 6
Duty Station: Karongi Field Office, Rwanda
Duration: 1 year (renewable) depending on performance and availability of funds
Application Deadline: 8th May 2024
ORGANIZATION CONTEXT
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. WFP Rwanda works in partnership with the Government and other stakeholders through the direct implementation of integrated programmes targeting the most vulnerable people and will progressively shift towards building national capacity to formulate, manage and implement programmes for achieving zero hunger. In implementing its activities, WFP will bridge the humanitarian–development nexus and leverage its extensive experience and the contributions it has made in Rwanda over many decades to achieve four strategic outcomes outlined in the WFP Country Strategic Plan (CSP).
To that effect, activities under the Food Systems umbrella are mainly coordinated through the Smallholder Agricultural Market Support (SAMS) Unit. Given the multi-dimensional nature of food systems, WFP Rwanda takes a private-sector focused approach, in line with government strategies to ensure sustainable systemic change across the agricultural sector.
SAMS activities are implemented in partnership with a diverse group of stakeholders, including government line ministries and subnational institutions, NGO partners (local and international), financial service providers (UNCDF, banks and micro-finance institutions), value chain service providers such input providers, aggregators, and logistics providers, as well as food-commodity traders, processors, and commodity exchanges.
JOB PURPOSE
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
OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS
This position requires an individual with substantial experience in working with smallholder farmers and small and medium enterprise (SME) development. Focus on different value chains is required, with extensive experience working with value chain actors (including financial institutions, transporters, buyers and processors). Previous experience with WFP or other UN agencies is desirable.
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE
- Possesses a minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience working in the agriculture sector with a focus on support to smallholder farmers or related area.
- Has contributed to implementation of programmes
- Demonstrates a track record of utilizing monitoring and evaluation systems and adhering to established standards.
- Exhibits familiarity with and willingness to travel and work in remote areas.
- Brings experience in collaborating with local communities, fostering effective engagement.
- Additional experience in agribusinesses, private sector engagement, and value chain management would be considered an asset.
FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES
- Demonstrates ability to identify key variables and contextual factors that affect programme implementation throughout the lifecycle to inform quality programme design or re-design.
- Displays capacity to provide inputs into the development, implementation, and realignment of the programme.
- Understands and applies basic principles of engagement with private and government counterparts at field level.
Knowledge & Skills:
- Displays capacity to provide inputs into the development, implementation, and realignment of the programme.
- MS Excel skills (pivot tables and analysis).
Languages
- Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Fluency in Kinyarwanda
APPLICATION LINK
https://career5.successfactors.eu/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=832689&company=C0000168410P
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
8th May 2024
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.
