PD Internship Programme 2021 – Food Systems Supply Chain Intern

Malawi, Lilongwe

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. We are currently seeking motivated and qualified candidates to fill positions of the 2021 Policy and Programme Department (PD) Internship Programme.

The position will either be based in our Supply chain Unit, Lilongwe Country Office, Malawi or home-based, depending on the pandemic-caused restrictions. The internship will be for the period of 6 months from June 2021.

Brief description WFP Malawi:

WFP Malawi’s Country Strategic Plan 2019-2023 sets an ambitious goal of putting Malawi on a sustainable path to food and nutrition security by 2030. WFP is focused primarily on technical assistance to well-resourced, well-coordinated, nationally owned government programmes.

Among other priority areas, the Supply Chain Strategy 2020-21 builds on this principle and aims to strengthen the local supply chain capacity of key partners such as the National Food Reserves Agency (NFRA) and the Agricultural Development and Management Corporation (ADMARC).

Strategic Priority

Objective

Activities

1.

Internal optimization: Mapping existing supply chain capacities, strengths, and areas for improvement

Skills and activity development

Considering the current staffing structure and unit objectives, compile senior staff advice on targeted activities that will enable the unit transition into the new supply chain 2.0

2.

External Optimization: Assist with the review and analysis of Malawi’s Strategic Grain Reservice (SGR), food agencies and Government supply chain processes

Identification of weaknesses/gaps and potential synergies with WFP to improve efficiency

Assist with qualitative study and reports of Government’s supply chain organs and systems

General Information

• Title of Post: PD Internship_ Food Systems Supply Chain
• Supervisor: Senior Supply Chain Food Systems Analyst
• ****Unit:**** Supply Chain
• Country: Malawi
• Duty Station: Lilongwe
• Duration of internship: 6 Months
• Expected Start Date: June 2021

Duties and responsibilities:

Within this framework, the Intern will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Supply Chain Food Systems Analyst and in close coordination with the Supply Chain team. The intern is expected to assist with analysis of internal and external Government food supply chain processes. The candidate will perform the following duties:

• Assist with research, reporting writing and drafting of presentations
• Liaise with internal Programmatic units to compile relevant information for the review exercise
• Assist with the food supply chain review exercise by organising meetings, conferences, field trips, etc.
• Assist with the learning, communications and advocacy strategy to improve relations between WFP Supply Chain and Malawi’s food agencies
• Other as required.

Qualifications and experience Required:

• Currently enrolled with in a graduate programme and have attended classes in the past 12 months, or a recent graduate from a graduate programme (within six months prior to the application to the internship programme). Qualification in Economics, Food Systems, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Technology, Operations, Analytics or another relevant field is preferred
• Excellent command of English; Working knowledge of a second UN language would be an asset.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)

Required soft skills/WFP Competencies:

• Understanding of humanitarian programme evaluation and implementation
• Understanding of national development planning and programming processes including National Development Plans and strategies
• Track record of excellent English report writing
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with people from different cultures and background.

Language:

• Working knowledge of English (proficiency/level C) is required.

Supervision (Level/Methods of Supervision)

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Supply Chain Food Systems Analyst, the incumbent will be provided with close mentoring, guidance and technical supervision. Performance planning and reviews as well as learning and development discussions will be elemental part of the supervision. The Junior Supply Chain Food Systems Analyst will be the second-level supervisor. With the support of a comprehensive induction package and assignment of a buddy/mentor, the intern will rapidly become a productive member of the team.

Training components

Throughout their assignment WFP interns have access to an industry leading learning platform, WeLearn. Depending on opportunities and availability of funds, he/she may participate in WFP workshops or seminars, as appropriate.

Learning Elements

At the end of the assignment, the Intern should have:

• Enhanced their knowledge of the humanitarian supply chain and programme management
• Been familiarized with national planning processes and implementation
• A good understanding of the Strategic Grain Reserves concept
• Gained useful insight into interagency coordination and external communications

Information on the Country of Assignment

• ****Living conditions in Lilongwe, Malawi****

Malawi is a landlocked country in the south east of Africa. It shares borders with Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and Mozambique to the south- west and east. The population is approximately 17million. The capital is Lilongwe and the second biggest city and commercial capital is Blantyre. The country is susceptible to natural hazards e.g. flooding however the impact of such disaster are often not severe. The security situation in Malawi remains in line with several democratic African Countries. There are no specific threats against the UN in Malawi. Healthcare in Malawi is less developed compared to European countries however there are several health facilities including a UN healthcare clinic.

VA Reference no: 141756

Closing Date: 2 May 2021

Please note that the deadline is at 11:59 pm Rome time (GMT + 1)

Terms and Conditions:

• Interns receive a monthly stipend from WFP up to the maximum amount of US$1000 per month depending on the duty station of assignment.
• WFP is not responsible for living expenses, arrangements for accommodation, necessary visas and related costs.
• WFP will reimburse travel ticket for candidates who are nationals of developing countries and are pursuing their studies in their home country.
• WFP will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognised institutions that have been certified by competent international or national authorities such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) or Ministries of Education.
• Candidates who bear any of the following relations to WFP staff members are not eligible to apply sons, daughters, brothers or sisters.

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.

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