PD Internship Programme 2021 – Targeting Intern

Emergency and Transition Unit (PRO-P) of the Programme Division, Rome, Italy

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 Beneficiary and Programme Support Service within the Emergency and Transition Unit (PRO-P) of the Programme Division, in Rome, Italy, or home-based, depending on the pandemic-caused restrictions. The internship will be for a period of at least 3 months during June to August/September 2021.

Brief description of the Beneficiary Services and Programme Support Team (BPSS):

The BPSS team is the ‘operational’ arm of the HQ Emergency and Transition Unit, assisting with the provision of programmatic direction, guidance and direct support to Country Offices and Regional Bureaus. Housed within is a joint initiative in which the BPSS partners with the WFP Research Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) unit to strengthen targeting processes across WFP programmes. This new initiative recognizes that WFP provides assistance to over 100 million people in around 83 countries each year, and that to be effective in this mandate WFP must ensure that it reaches the right people and that it manages its relationship with those individuals and their communities in a responsible, accountable, and effective manner.

The initiative specifically works towards increasing WFP beneficiary targeting, prioritization and selection capacity at CO level. It aims to enhance targeting capacities while driving the development and deployment of innovative tools and approaches to support targeting methods, including beneficiary selection and monitoring practices, and targeting methods in the urban space.

The Beneficiary and Programme Support Team is seeking a qualified short-term Intern with suitable qualifications, experience and enthusiasm, preferably with a knowledge of humanitarian issues and of WFP’s various programme activities. The post will be under the supervision of the Programme Officer (Targeting, Prioritization and Beneficiary Selection).

General Information

• Title of Post: PD Internship -Targeting
• Supervisor: Programme Officer (Targeting, Prioritization and Beneficiary Selection)
• Unit: Beneficiary and Programme Support Service
• Country: Italy
• Duty Station: Rome
• Duration of internship: 3 Months
• Expected Start Date: June 2021

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Programme Officer (Targeting, Prioritization and Beneficiary Selection) the candidate will perform the following duties:

• Contribute to the development of targeting tools, plans, and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance
• Conduct desk research and literature reviews on beneficiary targeting and other related topics
• Collate and analyse data to support targeting methods, including beneficiary selection and monitoring practices, and targeting methods in the urban space
• Assist in the drafting concept notes
• Liaise with internal counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects.
• Support the capacity building of WFP staff by organising online training sessions with an aim to enhance targeting capacities
• Set up, attend meetings and take notes for record of the meetings
• Other 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). Relevant discipline is preferred in food security or other related fields
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
• An interest in humanitarian Issues

Required soft skills/WFP Competencies

• Ability to work on short timelines, under pressure, and managing multiple priorities simultaneously with minimum supervision
• Initiative, enthusiasm, creativity, and flexibility with excellent interpersonal skills and team spirit.

Working Languages

Working knowledge of English (proficiency/level C) is required. Working knowledge of a second UN language would be an asset (Spanish, French and Arabic)

Supervision

Under the direct supervision of Programme Officer (Targeting, Prioritization and Beneficiary Selection), 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 Head of Beneficiary and Programme Support Services 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 knowledge of preferred targeting approaches across different operational contexts/setups in both urban and rural areas
• Have gained international experience working within in the world’s largest humanitarian organisation
• Have understood at first hand the work of WFP and gain working experience of WFP’s operation.
• Have acquired technical experience and knowledge in tools development and conceptualizing concept notes.
• Have developed online learning tools for targeting exercise

Information on the Country of Assignment

• ****Living conditions in Rome, Italy****

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: 141752

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