Programme Assistant (Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network) (SSA5)

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WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Job Title: Programme Assistant (Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network)

Grade: SSA5

Type of contract: Special Service Agreement

Duration: 11 months

Duty Station: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Vacancy Number : 828171

Date of Publication: 06.07.2023

Deadline of Application: 20.07.2023

This vacancy announcement is for Sri Lankan Nationals only.

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following website for detailed information on working with WFP: http://www.wfp.org

Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

JOB PURPOSE

The position holder will be working closely with the private sector. We are looking for a Programme Assistant (Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network)to be based in Colombo Country Office and will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Assist in the development and execution of the SBN Sri Lanka strategic plan and governance structure at the national and regional/district level 2. Assist in managing the SBN Database, regular updates, coordination and positioning SBN among the private sector and other entities while expanding the membership 3. Support in planning the SBN activities according to the strategic priority areas, including implementing new initiatives. 4. Support the implementation of national-level SBN events, engage with the SBN global/regional events, and assist in organizing regular committee meetings/coordination and SBN bi/annual regional and global gatherings. 5. Assist in following up on the identified key work plans of the private sector members and facilitate implementing activities. 6. Supporting in the coordination and conducting the field level activities. 7. Support exploring opportunities for potential resource mobilization and partnerships for SBN programs at the National/regional level 8. Provide regular SBN updates, annual SBN work plan, network activities, workshops, training and capacity-building sessions 9. Assist in communication with WFP and SUN National/global/regional level platforms when requires. 10. Support the preparation and production of communication materials, including factsheets, newsletters, brochures, dissemination and assist in human interest stories related to SBN projects. 11. Assist in providing social media input on a regular basis with relevant material, highlighting key events and achievements. Support in coordinating any campaigns and events the Communications and Partnership Unit undertakes. 12. Work with the broader nutrition and school-based programme team and support the team in key initiatives. 13. Learning and development and understanding the key work streams of the WFP programmes and assist with any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Completion of Secondary school Education with a post-secondary certificate in the social sciences, Business administration, communication marketing, or any other related area. A university degree equivalent in one of the above areas is desirable.

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience with one year of experience in private-sector engagement work Experience in dealing and negotiating with business associations and networks. Experience in engaging with public sector/local authorities. Experience developing various media products and organizing events desired. Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Sinhala Experience in working with WFP or other UN agencies would be an advantage Experience in working with various parties would be an advantage.

Languages: Strong written and oral communication skills in English and Sinhala and Tamil preferred

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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.

Request for Disability related Reasonable Accommodations:

It is important to WFP to create an accessible and inclusive workplace for everyone. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection and hiring process, please direct your request and inquiries to the Diversity and Inclusion team on: [email protected], cc’ing [email protected].

A member of the reasonable accommodation team will contact you to confidentially discuss your needs.

This email is only to be used for any disability related accessibility requirements, and not for sending the application itself. Due to volume of applications, any applications or CVs sent through this email address will not be considered as a formal application and will not receive a reply from WFP.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger (SDG 2) in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

20 July 2023

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger (SDG 2) in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need. WFP has been present in Sri Lanka since 1968 providing assistance to the country in emergency situations and conducting protracted recovery interventions in the aftermath of man-made disasters such as the 27-year conflict and recurrent natural disasters (droughts and floods/landslides). The country’s on-going economic crisis -- the worst in decades – has triggered a spike in the cost of living, along with lost jobs and reduced incomes. Coupled with the lingering effects of COVID-19 and impacts of climate change, the country is experiencing a concerningly high level of food insecurity. These challenges threaten to reverse years of development gains, undermining the country’s ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Even before the ongoing crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lankan women and children had very high rates of malnutrition: 17 percent of children under 5 were too short for their age (stunted) and 15 percent were too thin for their height (wasted), a figure which is considered 'very high’ in WHO classifications. The current economic crisis will likely aggravate this further. WFP commenced its second-generation five-year Country Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023 – 2027 (CSP 2018-2022) which aims to address immediate food and nutrition needs while building medium to long-term solutions through four strategic outcomes.

All WFP Employees are expected to demonstrate the competencies and standards of behaviour aligned with our core values and defined in the WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK, namely:

Leading by example with integrity,

Driving results and delivering on commitments,

Fostering inclusive and collaborative teamwork,

Applying strategic thinking,

Building and maintaining sustainable partnership.

WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce. WFP has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority or discrimination. All selected candidates will, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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.