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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. 

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. WFP has been present in Sri Lanka since 1968 and provided assistance to the country in emergency response and protracted recovery interventions in the aftermath of man-made disasters such as the 27-year confilict and recurrent natural disasters (Drought and floods/land slides). WFP aims to support and facilitate multi-sector approaches to nutrition and food security through both nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programming, including supporting the government to scale up its rice fortification effort, promoting positive nutrition practices, as well integrating nutrition lens within the WFP assisted School Meal Programme and resilience building programmes.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position Title: Programme Associate 

Contract Type: Fixed Term (G6)

Contract Duration: 01 Year

Duty Station: Colombo Sri Lanka

Nationality: Sri Lankans only

Remuneration: Attractive remuneration package following UN policy including salary and medical insurance

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

29 APRIL 2024

JOB PURPOSE

To provide effective specialized support and technical analyses to programme activities under the Country Strategic Plan.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Provide technical support and assist in the development and implementation of various and multiple activities and processes within the Programme unit, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidelines.

2. Provide specialized project management support to specific and/or defined programmes, ensuring that activities are performed within established targets and in accordance with FP's policies and

3. Within the specific area of responsibility, prepare a range of reports and data analysis (e.g., food assistance needs, resource utilization, programme status, performance), highlighting trends/issues, and ensuring deliverables adhere to corporate standards and quality control.

4. Ensure and/or perform accurate, timely recording of data within the specific technical area of work (e.g., emergency preparedness & response, social protection, resilience) and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.

5. Support the development and implementation of procedures and assist in the setup and implementation of proper procedures, systems, and controls for management of resources.

6. Monitor fund advances, fund balances, and the centralized system to ensure efficient resource utilization, prevent project delays, and adhere to WFP standards, taking corrective actions when necessary.

7. Contribute to the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of proposals, work and procurement plans, budgets, monitor expenditure, and budget forecasts to ensure that relevant requirements are met.

8. Coordinate with other teams to ensure that all project activities are performed efficiently and in line with the needs of the wider Programme team.

9. Compile data from the WFP database and systems to assist in generating and analyzing performance reports on a predefined timeline.

10. Liaise with internal counterparts to support effective collaboration, implementation, and monitoring of ongoing project activities.

11. Coordinate and effectively communicate with the Government institutions, local partners, NGO/CBOs, and to perform accurate programme analyses and ensure efficient delivery of activities.

12. Support the capacity building of WFP staff, cooperating partners, and national government within the specific technical area of Disaster Risk Management, Social Protection, Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience.

13. Act as a point of contact for the resolution of a range of operational queries and problems within a specific technical area of responsibility.

14. Oversee and/or review the work of other support staff, providing practical advice and guidance, to contribute to delivering objectives to agreed standards and deadlines.

15. Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP is able to quickly respond and deploy needed resources to affected areas at the onset of the crisis in the field.

16. Support the advancement of gender equality and nutrition integration.

17. Perform any other duties as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Completion of secondary school education. NVQ level 4 or a post-secondary certificate agriculture / construction related functional area is desirable.

Language: Proficient in oral and written English communication, with strong written and oral communication skills in the language of the respective district applied (Sinhala and/or Tamil).

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• At least 6 years relevant working experience in the districts or equitant.
• Has contributed to implementation of programmes by working with government, private sector and civil society.
• Familiar with participatory approaches to advance food and nutrition security.
• Previous experience on Disaster Management, Social Protection and Resilience would be an advantage.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Strong interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills and proven ability to be flexible in a team-oriented approach with diverse groups of people.

• Strong analytic and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent planning, organizational and time management skills.

• Proven ability to efficiently and effectively handle multiple tasks at the same time.

• Computer literate.

To Apply:

Click ‘Apply’ to the link below to start the application process. Candidates are requested to create an account in WFP E-Recruitment system before applying.

Please also include your CV with a cover letter, highlighting your motivation and suitability for this vacancy, as part of an online application.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package including basic salary and medical insurance.

Please visit https://www.wfp.org/countries/sri-lanka to learn more about WFP’s operations in Sri Lanka.

We want to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible. Please contact us at gimhani.kariyawasam@wfp.org to advise us of any accessibility needs you may have.  

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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.

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

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.