The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. As the international community has committed to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition by 2030, one in nine people worldwide still do not have enough to eat. Food and food-related assistance lie at the heart of the struggle to break the cycle of hunger and poverty. For its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict, WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. Malawi is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa. With a population expanding rapidly at 3 percent per year and the majority of livelihoods dependent on agriculture, the population is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate-related disasters. Poverty is experienced by most rural families, with those headed by women suffering the most. Relying on small parcels of densely cultivated land for their livelihoods, rural Malawians are highly affected by climate change. Episodes of drought as well as severe flooding are increasing in frequency, intensity and unpredictability, giving the most vulnerable households inadequate time to recover. Malawi’s challenges are also compounded by high rates of HIV infection (at 9.6 percent), low primary school completion rate (at 51 percent) and chronic under-nutrition (at 37 percent for children under 5). WFP continues to partner with the government, other UN agencies, NGOs, civil society and the private sector to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with a particular emphasis on reaching Zero Hunger (SDG 2), addressing structural drivers of hunger wherever possible. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) WFP is recognized as the leading solution provider and partner in the struggle to end hunger and malnutrition and particularly for its efforts to reach those furthest behind first. Being the frontline agency of the United Nations system that delivers innovative hunger solutions to 81 countries each day worldwide; WFP’s 14,800+ strong staff share a vision and commitment to end hunger by 2030. Tackling the causes -- not just the symptoms – and operating in the remotest corners of the world, with all logistical means necessary, WFP’s results-focussed team provides nutritious and life-saving food and cash assistance when necessary. Bringing unrivalled experience and operating in the world’s most high profile, difficult environments, WFP upholds the humanitarian principles of humanity, integrity impartiality and neutrality. In successfully achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) i.e Zero Hunger by 2030, the WFP team actively fosters partnerships with governments, communities, local authorities, civil societies, other UN agencies and the private sector. For more on WFP and what we do, please go to http://www.wfp.org/videos/zero-hunger

JOB PURPOSE

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Resident Coordinator and Convening Agency, and in collaboration with the PUNOs, the Programme Coordinator will hold overall responsibility for day-to-day operational guidance and programme coordination, high-level programme oversight and monitoring, technical assistance, secretariat support to the management board, capacity development and quality assurance of the UN components of MP4R, in coordination with the Government of Malawi.

With support from the Convening Agency, the Programme Coordinator will be responsible on behalf of the four PUNOs for the managing the Programme Coordination Units (PCUs) in each two of the four target districts, and ensuring the effective and transparent management of the programme consistent with the guidance from the Steering Committee and Management Board.

The Programme Coordinator will manage the established programmatic and operational business processes, and workflow arrangement to ensure effective delivery of overall UN accountability for programme delivery of its components, including support to local accountability and regular liaison with the MTPF Office.

The Programme Coordinator will provide strategic guidance to and oversight of the two District Coordination Units and ensure effective coordination with the RCO, PUNOs, DFID and government stakeholders.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Ensure effective strategic and operational programme support focusing on achievement of following results

Ensure consistency between project activities, the Joint Project Document (ProDoc) and decisions by the National Management Team and/or Steering Committee;
In collaboration with the Steering Committee prepare strategic materials, briefs and/or position papers on emerging programme results and outcomes;
Provide periodic summary reports to the Steering Committees and/or National Management Team on the overall progress of the programme.
Oversee the consolidation of narrative results-based progress reports based on submissions from PUNOs within the timetable specified in the Memorandum of Understandings and Joint ProDoc; the consolidated reports will be submitted to the donor and the steering committee by the Administrative Agent.

Effective and Strategic Coordination, Representation and Networking focusing on achievement of following results

Ensure Contributing Partners and stakeholders are kept informed of the activities of the programme;
Negotiate agreements and workplans with district authorities in accordance with the objectives of the programme;
Mobilize and interact with the RCO, Convening Agency, MPTF Office, PUNOs, and relevant UN entities to appropriately respond to any needs occurring within the programme;
Serve as the main contact for internal communications and reporting on the programme with outside parties;
Ensure appropriate representation of the programme at meetings with other UN bodies, donors and Government of Malawi;
Create networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations;
Actively promote regional exchanges on resilience building

Facilitation of Knowledge Management and Advisory Services

Identify and articulate lessons learnt on the operations of the programme and contribute to the formulation of guidelines, procedures and policies that would further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operation;
Actively seek and promote innovative methodologies and lead the development of supporting policies/tools to encourage learning and knowledge sharing;
Advocate through internal and external networks the demonstrable value of the multi-donor trust fund system to facilitate the achievement of resilience building goals;
Maintain strategic understanding of current key trends in resilience building and measuring and lessons learned from other countries;

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education : Bachelors of Science or Master’s Degree in one or more of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Programme Management, Resilience, Climate Change, Agriculture, Economics, or relevant Social Sciences field.

Experience :

Over 3 years’ experience in project management focusing on Agricultural and development projects with focus on agribusiness and community resilience building
Consistent relevant experience of increasing responsibility in multi-partner, multi-sectorial integrated resilience-building programmes.
Proven project and operational experience in development as well as humanitarian settings;
Experience leading and engaging multi-disciplinary technical teams in challenging contexts;
Demonstrated experience in donor, government, and private sector liaison and coordination;
Previous UN work experience will be an added advantage.

Language : Fluency in English: understanding, writing, reading and speaking

Competencies : Action Management; Communication; Ethics and Values; Teamwork; Client Orientation; Cognitive Capacity; Interpersonal Relations; Stamina and Stress Resistance; and Behavior Flexibility

Knowledge:

General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration is an added advantage.
Knowledge of supervising reporting and M&E systems for results-based reporting an advantage;
Experience utilizing computers including word processing, spreadsheet and other software packages;

Critical Success Factors:

Excellent negotiation, facilitation and coordination skills;
Skills in programme development/formulation and resource mobilization through funding proposal writing;
Good analytical skills and experience in report writing
Resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds;
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts and staff within the office, and with other stakeholders;
Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan
Ability to interpret and analyze a wide variety of programme issues and statistical information, and to maintain accurate and precise records;
Ability to solve problems in a holistic manner and achieve planned goals;
Self-starter and able to work with minimum supervision;

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance Displays ability to identify the main hunger problem at the national or subnational level to design and implement context-specific programmes that integrate complex analysis and the full range of food assistance tools. Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Voucher) Demonstrates ability to analyse and consolidate quantitative and qualitative information from different sources (e.g., market studies) to inform transfer modality selection and programme development. Broad Knowledge of Specialized areas (i.e. Nutrition, VAM, etc.) Demonstrates the ability to interpret basic data in the context of WFP specialised fields to contribute to technical programme design, implementation and monitoring. Emergency Programming Displays ability to translate understanding of programme principles in emergencies and protracted conflict situations into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches. Strategic Policy Engagement w/ Government Develops thorough recommendations using multiple inputs (e.g., government counsel, research, own experience) to strengthen national or subnational entities and government owned food and nutrition security programmes.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

The Programme Coordinator will also be responsible for the following functions:

1. Support the designing of an implementation strategy

Support to partners in the formulation of annual joint workplans integrating all PUNOs, national and district government stakeholders, and other development partners.

Expected Deliverables: Annual workplan timely finalized

2. Supervise the implementation of the workplan

The Coordinator will be responsible for co-formulating with PUNOs and overseeing the district coordinators’ work plans and deliverables.

Expected Deliverables: Performance management of Field Coordinators.

3. Ensure overall coordination at all levels

The Coordinator will manage consolidation of inputs from all partners, prepare consolidated annual plans and budgets, draft MoUs and provide accountability for regular joint donor reporting by UN agencies to the donors. This includes accountability for quality assurance (review and compilation) of all project performance reports including updates on the results matrix, project work plans and updates.

Expected Deliverables: Quality reports, annual workplans and budgets, updated results matrixes.

his section is optional to describe additional responsibilities & knowledge required for the specific job.

4. Deliver Secretariat support for Programme and Technical Steering Committees

Serve as Secretariat to manage and implement the liaison function between the UN agencies, NGOs, government, development partners and other stakeholders. This includes carrying out the following functions in a timely and effective manner:

1. Accountability for all information sharing and project reporting to the RC, Heads of UN Agencies, Donors, Government, in a timely manner;
2. Management and organization of programme activities between the UN Agencies, government partners and the donors;
3. Identify issues that require the attention of Heads of Agencies and the RC to ensure smooth implementation of problem resolution in case of disagreements

Expected Deliverables: Timely and high quality minutes, presentations and follow up between all parties on identified action points.

5. Liaison with Donor, Government and other Stakeholders

Support the convening agency and the RC to convene the Steering Committee and meetings with the donor and with the Government of Malawi to explore how the programme can be integrated into Malawi sector policies. Convene and coordinate meetings with national level project partners to review progress towards meeting the project objectives, building national ownership and results. Preparation and monitoring of annual workplans and budgets for coordination funds.

Expected Deliverable: Routine donor communication, coordination and review of implementation of project activities and project meetings, monitoring of coordination funds.

6. Coordinate the reporting and M&E technical working groups and collaborate with Public Information Working Group.

Programme Coordinator will provide overall management and supervision of all project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities outlined for this project. This includes oversight and supervision to all project-related M&E activities: routine monitoring, real time monitoring, special studies, baseline study, midterm reviews and end of project evaluation (in collaboration with the DFID contracted firm/services for evaluation purposes). The Programme Coordinator shall collaborate closely with the RCO and PUNOs communication officers to provide timely inputs for the agreed project communication and visibility strategy.

Expected deliverables: Project performance reports, quality special studies and other M&E activities as determined by the Steering Committee and/or National Management Team.

7. Link with Government Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) and Respective Inter-Ministerial Committees on resilience, social protection, disaster risk management, and humanitarian assistance

The Programme Coordinator will provide linkage to the government technical and management levels to ensure PROSPER engagement of government stakeholders.

Expected Deliverables: Reports demonstrating how MP4R leverages knowledge and evidence to influence government policy, plans and programming.

8. Provide strategic leadership advise to UNDAF Pillar 3

Based on lessons learned through the implementation of PROSPER, provide strategic advice to the pillar 3 lead and to the RC on resilience.

Expected Deliverables: Strategic discussions on resilience under UNDAF’s pillar 3 are kept informed by the MP4R best practices and lessons learned.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The closing date for receiving applications is 5 April 2022

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Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.

Apply now

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: wfp.org