PD Internship Programme 2021 – Knowledge Management Intern with technical focus

Programme and Policy Development Department (PD)

Programme – Humanitarian and Development Division:

Unit: PRO-R Asset Creation, Livelihoods and Resilience Unit

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 the PRO-R Asset Creation, Livelihoods and Resilience Unit of the Programme – Humanitarian and Development Division in Rome, Italy, or home-based, depending on the pandemic-caused restrictions.

PRO-R Asset Creation, Livelihoods and Resilience Unit

WFP works to build the resilience of the most vulnerable by tackling the nexus between food and nutrition insecurity, shocks and stressors, and aggravating factors such as land degradation. In collaboration with governments and partners, WFP works to protect, rebuild, strengthen and diversify livelihoods, while simultaneously building the capacities of communities and governments to manage risks. Through FFA programmes, WFP provides individuals from vulnerable and food insecure households with food or cash-based transfers to help them better meet their household’s short-term food needs, in exchange for their participation in asset creation activities that contribute to building longer - term food security and/or the restoration of community services.

WFP’s Asset Creation, Livelihoods and Resilience Unit’s (PRO-R) core areas of work includes the development of corporate level guidance material for Food assistance for assets (FFA), Three -Pronged Approach and supporting regional bureaus, country offices and partners in applying and mainstreaming this guidance and enhancing their capacities to scale -up effective FFA programmes. Monitoring and Evaluation of the technical work done and conducting analysis to support reporting on the achievements are among the key activities of the unit.

As part of PRO-R’s organisational knowledge strengthening approach, the availability, digitally, of WFP’s knowledge, experience and best practice has been a top priority. This is evident in the publishing and regular updating of the 3 Activity and Programme Design manuals (FFA, FFT/HCD, and 3PA) manuals in English, French and Spanish. These manuals have been identified by both Internal Audit and numerous evaluations as a practice of excellence and a major pillar in risk management. As WFP continues the digital transformation, PRO-R developed mobile applications that allow WFP employees to remotely access the FFA and 3PA manuals from their mobile devices.

General Information

• Title of Post: PD Internship_ Knowledge Management with technical focus
• Supervisor: Head of PRO-R
• Unit: PRO-R Asset Creation, Livelihoods and Resilience Unit
• Country: Italy (Remote)
• Duty Station: Rome (Remote)
• Duration of internship: 6 months
• Expected Start Date: June 2021

Duties and responsibilities

The intern will work as part of the Knowledge Management team, under the overall supervision of the Chief of PRO-R and in close collaboration with WFP colleagues, including other divisions. The intern contributes to and support the implementation and maintenance of efficient and effective IT solutions that enable staff to deliver food assistance to beneficiaries, in line with WFP’s strategy.

The candidate will perform the following duties:

• Conduct a global social-media survey with FFA Focal Points to identify the most consulted sections of the FFA and 3PA manuals since its launch in 2017.
• Develop an Infotec (internal global briefing paper to over 400 WFP staff) on the mobile manual APP
• Support the implementation and maintenance and proper use of the of the Mobile APPs that have been developed to ensure and enable proper use of the solutions. This includes:
  • preparing and releasing push notifications when required
  • monitoring AWS use/accounts
• Respond to queries from users, understanding and resolving issues, providing advice, and ensuring IT policies, procedures, systems, and tools are correctly applied to support them
• maintain contact with the WFP IT and/or the APP developer in case of issues/problem
• change the quick access tiles in the apps as/when required.
• Interact effectively with colleagues and user groups to understand their needs and provide appropriate technical support.
• Supporting management, maintenance, and enhancement of knowledge-sharing platforms
• Contribute to the preparation of trainings on existing and new functionalities for capacity building.
• Keeping abreast of emerging trends and innovative approaches for knowledge management and pro-actively proposing and testing solutions
• Support with the digitization of Unit products as/when relevant.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Qualifications and experience

• 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).
• Preferred Field of Study: Computer Science, engineering; Business, IT & Management, Information Management or other relevant field
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
• Understanding of and interest in knowledge management and organizational development and IT
• Some work experience in Software development projects and/or knowledge management is an advantage

Required soft skills/WFP Competencies:

• Ability to work as part of a multi-cultural team
• Flexibility
• Ability to take initiative and be pro-active
• Communication skills

Working Languages

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

Supervision

Under the direct supervision of the head of PRO-R 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 Knowledge Management Team lead 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 a good understanding of the knowledge management structure and process within the Programme and Policy Department
• Have a good understanding of how technology/software developments are and can be used in practise in the area of knowledge management
• Have a broad understanding of the work of an international operational UN organisation
• Have experienced working as part of a multi-cultural team including field based colleagues.

Information on the Country of Assignment

The security situation in Italy remains in line with other European Countries. There are no specific threats against the UN in Italy. Considering the ongoing defeat of Daesh in the war territories, the trend in the short and mid-term will most likely continue to see the return of the militants to the countries of origins, including Italy. Insurrectional anarchism remains sufficiently organized on the Italian territory, as it has been present for many years. This movement could target the UN in the context of its anti-capitalism/anti-western narrative. 2) Whilst UN staff continue to be victims of minor crime such as street robbery and apartment break-ins, the infrequency of attacks and random nature of locations do not indicate that UN staff are at an elevated risk in comparison to residents or tourists in Italy. 3) Italy’s national territory is exposed to a broader range of natural hazards than any other European country. The vulnerability of its population and built environment is often severe and has in some cases been exacerbated by human activities.

VA Reference no: 141751

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.

Fighting Hunger Worldwide