Programme Assistant (Nutrition-Sensitive)

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.

Organizational Context

These jobs are found in Regional Bureaux (RBs), Country Offices (COs), Area/Field Offices (AOs/FOs). The job holders typically report to a Programme Policy Officer or the designate.

At this level, job holders are responsible for the completion of a range of specialized and/or standardized processes and activities requiring some interpretation of standard guidelines and practices. Job holders are able to recommend a course of action to staff at various levels and may allocate tasks to other support staff. They work under minimum supervision, perform basic analyses and compile reports to support information consistency and smooth implementation of programmes/projects.

Background and Purpose of the Assignment

Malnutrition remains a serious threat to lasting human and economic development in Mozambique. Despite a significant increase in political will, capacity strengthening in food security and nutrition (FSN) overall and targeted investments for improved nutrition over the last 10 years, it is still estimated that almost 11 % of GDP is lost annually due to malnutrition (Cost of Hunger Study, 2017). Adding to this, Mozambique is increasingly suffering under the triple burden of malnutrition with overweight, underweight and micronutrient deficiencies co-existing in urban settings, while the former two prevail in rural settings. A closer look at the numbers reveals the scary reality – stunting was remained largely unchanged since 2011 with a prevalence of 43 % amongst children under 5 – while anaemia affects 54% of women (DHS 2011) and 64% of children (IMASIDA, 2015).

Social and cultural norms, lack of women’s empowerment and limited gender equity highly influences the access to adequate diets for pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls and young children. Thus, these vulnerable groups are unlikely to receive their fair share of the most nutritious foods (animal source foods, vegetables, fruits, or fortified foods) despite being the group most in need. This situation is well documented with only 54% of adolescent girls and 36% of women in reproductive age having the minimum dietary diversity and only 11% of children 6-23 months have minimum acceptable diet (IFAD 2016, SETSAN 2013).

As part of the efforts towards integrating Nutrition outcomes across the project portfolio, WFP Mozambique is expanding our Nutrition Sensitive Social behavior change communication Programming. Therefore, we are seeking committed professionals with the highest integrity to support this development.

At this level, job holders are responsible for the completion of a range of specialized and/or standardized processes and activities requiring some interpretation of standard guidelines and practices. Job holders are able to recommend a course of action to staff at various levels and may allocate tasks to other support staff. They work under minimum Supervision, perform basic analyses and compile reports to support information consistency and smooth implementation of programmes/projects. The position will report to the Nutrition and HIV program and policy officer of the Nutrition and HIV Unit as well as the Business Associate for all administrative related activities.

Standard Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area is desirable.
• Experience: 4 years of experience in related area. At least one year experience working with Governments, UN or NGOs in projects related to development and or/humanitarian support.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Portuguese.

Desired Experiences for entry into the Role

• Has facilitated communication with technical teams (i.e. nutrition, VAM, etc.).
• Has contributed to implementation of programmes.
• Has observed or assisted with policy discussions.

Knowledge & Skills

• Understanding of WFP concepts and working procedures.
• Ability to identify key variables and contextual factors that affect food assistance problems and programmes throughout the lifecycle to inform quality programme design or re-design.
• Ability to analyze and consolidate quantitative and qualitative information from different sources (e.g. environment assessments) to inform transfer modality selection and programme development.
• Solid ability to interpret basic data in the context of WFP specialized fields to contribute to technical programme design, implementation and monitoring.
• Capacity to provide inputs into the development, implementation and realignment of high-quality emergency programmes.
• Understanding and application of basic principles of engagement with government & UN counterparts at the national or local level.

Accountabilities/ Responsibilities

• Provide specialized expertise and contribute towards the development of project activities, plans and processes within the specific technical area of work ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidelines. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Support the operational planning of nutrition sensitive SBCC activities.
  • Support the development of SBCC materials.
  • Support the adaptation of existing SBCC materials to the local context.
  • Support the development of nutritious recipes for several projects.
  • Participate in formative research
• Support in ensuring that SBCC activities are implemented with quality:
  • Support with the planning of trainings.
  • Conduct trainings for the different Nutrition sensitive projects.
  • Conduct formative supervision to the project activities and prepare reports of the supervision visits.
  • Participate in “pause and reflect sessions of the projects to contribute with lessons learned and findings.
• Coordinate and liaise with internal counterparts on the logistics for setting up partnerships for integrated responses and other administrative tasks. This will include, but not be limited to:
  • Support the procurement process (including the preparation of ToRs, PRs, MPOs and LTAs);
  • Elaborate scope of work for CPs;
  • Establishments of LoUs, FLAs and MoUs.
• Foster relationships and support partnership-building with local partners, agencies, NGOs and government institutions to align activities under the joint response.
• Support the capacity building of WFP staff, cooperating partners and national government within the area of nutrition and agricultural development.
• Control project expenditure: inputting project expenditures, review invoices.
• Support all other SBCC and nutrition-sensitive projects under the Nutrition and HIV unit as needed.

WFP Leadership Framework – Our Behaviour Matters

Leads by Example with Integrity

• Lives WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others.

Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments

• Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change.

Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork

• Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth.

Applies Strategic Thinking

• Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things.

Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships

• Builds and nurtures external partnerships & collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives.

Functional Capabilities

Capability Name (Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level)

• Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance: Can facilitate implementation of food assistance programmes under guidance using basic understanding of principles and good practices of programme design, implementation and monitoring.
• Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Vouchers): Demonstrates ability to facilitate, under guidance, food assistance programme implementation that deploys full range of transfer modalities with an understanding of basic principles guiding modality selection and implementation.
• Knowledge of Specialized Areas: Understands basic technical concepts and data andtheir relevance to food assistance programmes.
• Emergency Programming: Displays capacity to provide inputs into the development, implementation and realignment of high quality emergency programmes.
• Strategic Policy Engagement w/Govt: Understands and applies basic principles of engagement with government counterparts at the national or local level.