Programme Policy Officer (TPDS), Supply Chain Optimization (SB-4) New Delhi

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

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 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.

VACANCY DETAILS

Duty Station: New Delhi, Department of Food and Public Distribution Type of Contract: Service Contract (SB4- L8) Duration of assignment: 1 year (renewable, depending upon availability of funds) Reporting to: Direct supervision of the Director/Joint Secretary, Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, GoI and under the technical supervision by Head of the Supply Chain & PDS unit, WFP New Delhi

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The World Food Programme (WFP), operating in India since 1963, aims to provide technical support to strengthening the government’s food safety-nets programmes in order to improve access to food for millions of vulnerable households throughout the country. Through its Country Strategic Plan (2019-2023), WFP India aims to support India in achieving their targets under Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 17. Strategic Outcome (SO) 1 of WFP’s current CSP (2019-2023) is aimed at enhancing the efficiency, targeting, service delivery and supply chain of government programmes for improving access to food and sharing of best practices on warehouse management. WFP is currently working through partnership agreements with Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) at the national level and with the state governments of Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. As part of the CSP 2019-2023, WFP shall continue towards improving the service delivery of food-based safety nets through optimising existing supply chain operations, improving warehousing operations for food grains and market linkages for small holder farmers, supporting End to End (EtE) Computerisation of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), and developing best practices.

JOB PURPOSE

In coordination with WFP Country Office and under the supervision of Joint Secretary (DFPD) or as decided by him, the Advisor will support strategic analysis and advisory services to the Department of Food and Public Distribution in the areas of advanced data analytics & operations research to further enhance TPDS targeting efficiency & improve supply chain planning by reducing losses/ improving warehousing operations etc. The Advisor will also be responsible for documenting best practices and providing customized solutions/ capacity strengthening support to State Governments to further PDS reforms.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Under the direct supervision of the Director/Joint Secretary, Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India and under the technical supervision by Head of the Supply Chain & PDS Unit, WFP New Delhi the Programme Policy Officer (TPDS) will be responsible to perform the following duties:

   1. Provide strategic support to enhance targeting efficiency & improve TPDS supply chain planning by reducing losses & improving operational efficiency: • Provide technical assistance through assessments, operations research, and data analytics to identify gaps and create solutions for the improvement in supply chain management. • Perform financial feasibility, cost analysis, optimisation analysis of government supply chain networks. • Design solutions, strategies, standards, and guidance to improve performance, reduce cost, or improve responsiveness. • Provide a road map for effective roll-out of solutions across States/UTs. • Prepare training material and undertake capacity strengthening of state level PDS stakeholders in applying optimization/ analysis tools effectively

   2. Provide strategic support to identify & disseminate best practice solutions for furthering reforms in TPDS by improving beneficiary targeting & outreach activities: • Identify, evaluate and document/ update best practice models in co-ordination with relevant stakeholders/ State Governments. • Undertake risk and gap analysis • Prepare dissemination plan for effective uptake of the identified models by the different states through trainings, conferences & workshops • Support the Central Government in the preparation of state specific recommendations & strengthening capacity of PDS stakeholders in States/UTs to implement them effectively.

   3. Provide technical advisory for carrying out monitoring & evaluation of scheme outputs & outcomes and present the findings & evidence in the required platforms.

   4. Prepare and compile relevant data and create detailed technical specifications for all components of the solution/implementation from various stakeholders and share with relevant WFP Country Office Programme Officers for analysis and representation.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
• Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
• Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
• Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
• Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
• Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
• Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
• Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
• Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
• Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
• Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
• Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education: • Advanced University degree or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience from an institute of repute in any of the following disciplines: Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Applications, Mathematics, Statistics, Mathematical Statistics, Business Administration. • Specialization in Operations Research, Business Analytics, or Data Science

Experience: At least three years or more of progressively responsible professional experience working in large scale technology/e-governance solutions with government or a development agency, in the area of Operations Research, Advanced Data Analytics, Supply Chain planning, Monitoring & Evaluation etc. for best practice documentation, Capacity strengthening & data driven decision making. Experience in working independently with minimum supervision, often in fluid and ambiguous situations will be required. Languages: Fluent oral and written communication skills in English. Working knowledge of Hindi is preferred.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

Competencies & Skills: The post holder should have strong technical, analytical and problems solving skills; ability to think through complex issues to conceptualize, design and execute actions plans. Demonstrate passion and motivation with the ability to manage complexities, multiple tasks with commitment to deliver against multiple, tight deadlines at work. Excellent team player with an ability to work collaboratively, share information and build strong working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds while focusing on impact and results. Maturity and presence required to effectively participate and contribute in meetings with senior government officials. Knowledge: Understanding of the Indian Government bureaucracy and TPDS operations will be an advantage. Sound knowledge of project planning and operations management, preferably in the IT transformation or e-governance space. b.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. A written test will be used as a form of screening. In the event your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide in advance a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/ certificate(s) required for this position. This is a national position therefore candidates who are non-Indian nationals will not be considered. Mode of Engagement: The salary for this position is INR. 14,69,279/- per annum (depending upon the last drawn remuneration of the candidate), plus medical benefits as per WFP's plan. All tax liability for payments from this contract are to be borne by the subscriber. Qualified candidates will be retained on roster for at least two years and may be considered for future similar vacant posts. Female applicants and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organisation. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection & recruitment process, and for work-related needs upon joining the Programme. 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. Applications for the positions are to be submitted online on the E-recruitment links as mentioned below: https://www1.wfp.org/careers/job-openingsNote: Candidates are requested to Create an account in the system before applying. Candidates curriculum and applications will be registered and allows them to update their profile and apply for a job through wfp careers website.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Application deadline : 14 January 2022

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All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, 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.