PD Intern – Food Systems & Supply Chain Strategy at World Food Programme (WFP)

The position will be based in our Supply Chain Unit in Kenya CO based in Nairobi, Kenya. The internship will be for the period of 6 months during June to November 2021.

Brief description of Supply Chain function within Kenya CO:

Kenya programmes have witnessed a decline in delivery of food assistance over the years. Over the last six years, the volume of food received at the main point of entry which is Mombasa has decreased by 34 percent. This means a gradual reduction of large-scale in-kind delivery form of food in Kenya with a shift to cash-based transfer programmes, technical support and capacity building of the Kenya Government and different supply chain actors within the Food Systems spectrum.

Within this context, there are newer frontiers for the Supply Chain function in the Kenya Country Strategic Plan  to leverage the supply chain expertise built in the last 20 years in Kenya and transform it into a programmatic value proposition within the Food Systems Strategy  to ensure that WFP plays a pivotal role in aiding the Government of and people of Kenya achieve Vision 2030 and Zero Hunger goals.

One of the challenges in reducing the hunger gap in Kenya has been the inefficiencies in the food systems that lead to high food prices, insufficient market supply (particularly for fresh foods) and lower incomes for producers. Agricultural value chains tend to be unresponsive to farmers’ needs. Some of the reasons of supply inefficiencies that largely affect the food systems are:

1. Limited storage
2. Transport capacity
3. Road accessibility and access especially in the rainy season
4. Poor storage practices
5. Weak quality practices

There exist significant and potential opportunities for WFP Supply Chain to contribute towards reduction of the hunger gap in Kenya and strategically contribute to build resilience food systems.

 General Information

• Supervisor: Head of Supply Chain
• Unit: Supply Chain
• Duration of internship: 6 months
• Expected Start Date: June 2021

Duties and responsibilities

 Under the direct supervision of the Head of Supply Chain, the candidate will perform the following duties:

•  Support the definition of the Supply Chain Strategy to build sustainable and resilient Food Systems in Kenya.
• Enhance the implementation of the procurement plan to increase the local purchases from Small Holder Farmers to support Kenyan Programmes and export to other WFP operations in the region.
• Assist in defining a strategy to engage our local purchase upstream partners i.e. AMPATH/CGA to ensure food safety and quality standards of all Small Holder purchases.
• Define the action plan to link identified Small Holder Farmers to markets and to nutritious producers.
• Strengthen the activities to increase the local production of nutritious foods, bringing new suppliers and enhancing their capacity to fill WFP demand and the local population demand to contribute to a diverse and nutritious diet. Kenya.
• Contribute to build the business cases and plans for the supply chain innovative solutions to reduce post-harvest losses and increase the efficiency of the different supply chains and value chains.
• Contribute to build a case study to pilot block chain within Kenya to support Small Holder Farmers.
• Measure the impact of above supply chain activities in the implementation of WFP Kenya Food Systems Strategy and recommend the high impact activities with concreate outcomes within a 1 to 5 years horizon.

Qualifications and experience

• Currently enrolled with in a graduate programme and have attended classes in the past 12 months, or a recent graduate from a graduate programme (within six months prior to the application to the internship programme). Preferred areas of study are Supply Chain Management, Economics, Agricultural Engineering, Engineering, Economics, Business Administration, Logistics
• Excellent command of English; Working knowledge of a second UN language would be an asset
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
• Proficiency in database management
   

Required soft skills/WFP Competencies:

• Good communicator, with excellent oral and writing skills
• Team player and able to integrate in diverse teams through all people-related activities that include members from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, positions, or country assignments.
• Innovative and capable to propose creative solutions
• Focus on getting results
• Accountable, responsible, and willing to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and value of service and assistance to beneficiaries and value for money for our donors.
• Able to connect and work across WFP units, creates strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and partners.

Working Languages

 Working knowledge of English (proficiency/level C) is required. (you can specify an additional language required)

Supervision (Level/Methods of Supervision)

 Under the direct supervision of Head of Supply Chain, the incumbent will be provided with close mentoring, guidance, and technical supervision. Performance planning and reviews as well as learning and development discussions will be elemental part of the supervision. The WFP Kenya Country Director will be the second-level supervisor. With the support of a comprehensive induction package and assignment of a buddy/mentor, the intern will rapidly become a productive member of the team.

Training components

Throughout their assignment WFP interns have access to an industry leading learning platform, WeLearn. Depending on opportunities and availability of funds, he/she may participate in WFP workshops or seminars, as appropriate.

Learning Elements

At the end of the assignment, the Intern should:

• Be able to articulate the WFP Kenya supply chain function value proposition for sustainable and resilient Food Systems in Kenya
• have a great understanding of the key supply chain activities that will bring concreate added value to Kenya Food Systems within a time horizon of 1 to 5 years.

Information on the Country of Assignment

With the world’s best-known game reserve in the Maasai Mara and a history as rich as its famously hospitable welcome and is still regarded by many as the ultimate African destination. It is not a rare occurrence that people posted to work at the United Nations in Kenya end up making the country their lifelong home. An East African nation spans more than 224,000 sq. miles (582,000 sq. Km). Kenya has a wide range of topographical features – from the low plains found along the coast, bisected by the Great Rift Valley, to the fertile plateau in the west. The Great Rift Valley is home to several lakes, arid and rugged landscapes, and volcanic landforms with areas of active hot springs and geothermal activity. The highland areas of Central Kenya provide fertile ground for farming, making Kenya one of the most agriculturally productive countries in Africa. The north of Kenya, however, is largely desert land scattered with thorn bush. This contrasts greatly with the Kenyan coast, which features many beaches, coral reefs, creeks and coral islands. The coastal strip is largely flat, giving rise to the rolling Taita hills. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, is located along the border between Kenya and Tanzania. Breathtakingly views of Kilimanjaro can be seen from Amboseli National Park. The second highest mountain – Mount Kenya, can be found at the country’s center. Kenya is situated on the equator and is bordered by five countries: Uganda (to the west), South Sudan (to the northwest), Ethiopia (to the north), Somalia (to the northeast), and Tanzania (to the south). Along its southeast edge, Kenya’s tropical coastline connects the country to the Indian Ocean.

Nairobi, the duty station of the position, is classified as Class B under the UN Duty station. The duty station has abundant supply of modern housing from apartments to stand-alone houses. There are good hospitals and security is like any other big city.

VA Reference no: 141659