Programme Policy Officer (School Meals), NOA Nairobi
Support and manage the school-based nutrition programs in Kenya.
This opening expired 5 years ago.
Do not try to apply for this job.
Overview
Support and manage the school-based nutrition programs in Kenya.
You have:
- Advanced University degree in Education, International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, or Social Sciences.
- At least three years of experience in education and one year in school feeding related programme.
- Proficiency in English both oral and written.
- Knowledge of Somali language will be an asset.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Ability to travel and work in difficult environments for field visits 50% of the time.
- Understanding of donor policies, strategies, and programme priorities.
- General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration.
- Proficient knowledge and skill in excel and data analysis.
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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.
Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.
Posting Dates
Opening Date: 1 December 2020 Closing Date: 14 December 2020
Organizational Background
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 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.
Somalia has one of the world’s lowest overall education enrolment rates with 32 percent children enrolled in primary education and 26 percent in secondary education. There are multiple reasons for this situation, including poverty, food insecurity, hunger, lack of adequate learning facilities, shortage of teachers (especially female teachers), safety, gender discriminating norms and practices, and the lack of relevant learning and teaching resources.
School meals can play a significant role in promoting food security, nutrition and education goals. As the largest humanitarian provider of school feeding worldwide, the WFP, along with governments and partners, supports education, reduces malnutrition, and promotes development, especially during times of crises and emergencies. At the same time WFP is working to make school feeding ‘nutrition-sensitive’ — that is, ensuring that menus are designed with nutrition in mind, and provide not just calories but also the nutrients needed by growing bodies and brains.
Since 2003, WFP has provided hot meals to primary school children in Somalia through the School Feeding Programme (SFP). In 2017, a review of WFP’s SFP in Somalia found that school meals have a measurable impact on educational outcomes, with the enrolment, attendance, retention, and completion rates in participating schools higher than in non-SMP schools. Children attending school receive two nutritious meals 26 days per month promoting their attendance, retention rate as well as giving to their better health and nutrition. The provision of school meals also allows families, particularly those from more destitute backgrounds, to focus on providing more resources for the rest of the household.
This position is open to qualified Kenyan candidates; female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Programme Policy Officer will work directly under the Nutritionist and overall supervision of deputy head of programme, will be responsible to handle the school-based programmes (school feeding) portfolio. The incumbent will be responsible for the below duties:
• Contribute towards the development and quality improvement of the School Health and Nutrition (School Meals Programme) plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider WFP and national programme policies and mentorship; • Provide project management support to home grown school feeding programme (HGSFP) in close coordination with the government, like minded partners ensuring complementarity to the multiple components of the (HGSFP) specifically on food systems strengthening, WASH and social behavioral change communication (SBCC) for kids and the communities; • Contribute to develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that detailed quality standards are maintained; • Review and analyze a range of policy and operational issues to advise the development of policies, programmes, guidelines, and activities; • Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to partners; • Collaborate closely with internal WFP units and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, supervise ongoing projects and highlight potential risks to project delivery; • Represent WFP at national and sub-national meetings to contribute in technical discussions, exchange experiences, advocate for nutrition interventions and identify areas of potential collaborations; • Support the identification, development and management of potential partnerships leading to improved food assistance packages; • Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g. through providing inputs into training materials gearing towards sustainability and national ownership; • Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries; • Other duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Advanced University degree in Education, International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree in the above fields with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.
Experience - At least three years of experience in education and one year in school feeding related programme. - Good knowledge and working experience with the government or various other sectors including policy and strategy level engagement. UN and/or WFP experience would be an added advantage. - Successful track record in advocacy, networking, and inter-agency collaboration and management.
Language: - Proficiency in English both oral and written language. - Knowledge of Somali language will be an asset.
Knowledge & Skills: - Strong organizational skills and ability to successfully manage multiple tasks simultaneously. - Ability to travel and work in difficult environment: the incumbent will conduct field visits for technical assistance 50% of the time. - Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing. - Understanding of donor policies, strategies, and programme priorities. - General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration is highly desirable. - Proficient knowledge and skill in excel and data analysis.
Terms and Conditions
Contract Duration: 1 year
Application Instructions
Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit online applications through E-Recruitment.
Applications that do not meet the above requirements will be disregarded. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
WFP seeks applicants of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.
WFP is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.
Selection of candidates is made on a competitive basis.
.
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.
Potential interview questions
| Describe a time when you successfully managed a complex project. | This assesses your project management skills and ability to handle complexity. | Provide a specific example, focusing on your role and the outcome. |
| How do you ensure effective communication among team members in a project? | This evaluates your communication and leadership skills. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you use to engage government partners on school feeding programs? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you provide an example of how you've analyzed data to inform a program decision? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Added 5 years ago
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Updated 1 year ago
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Source:
wfp.org
