PD Intern – Social Protection And Cash Based Transfers (Nairobi) at World Food Programme (WFP)

The position will either be based in our Social Protection and Cash Based Transfers team of the Programme unit, in the WFP Regional Bureau for East and Central Africa (RBN), based in Nairobi, Kenya, or home-based, depending on the pandemic-caused restrictions. The internship will be typically for the period of at least 3 months during June to August/September 2021.

Brief description of the RBN Social Protection and Cash Based Transfers team, Programme:

The Social Protection and Cash Based Transfers (SP&CBT) team in the WFP Regional Office for East and Central Africa (RBN) provides strategic guidance, support, and oversight to nine country offices with regards to their SP and CBT portfolios. In the region, cash-based transfers represent an increasing share of WFP’s total humanitarian assistance: 23% in 2020, which translated into USD 372 million of purchasing power transferred to 6.1 million beneficiaries.  All RBN countries have embarked on their own distinct SP and CBT journeys, with the scale, level of sophistication and systemic approach varying across the 9 countries. The Regional SP&CBT team is the first line of support for Country Offices with regards to their SP and CBT operations and plays a key role in identifying opportunities to further key regional strategic shifts, in addition to its risk management and oversight responsibilities.

 General Information

• Supervisor: Social Protection Advisor
• Unit: Social Protection and Cash Based Transfers, Programme
• Country: RBN, Kenya
• Duration of internship: 3 months
• Expected Start Date: June 2021

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the social protection advisor, the candidate will perform the following duties:

• Contribute to conducting a comprehensive mapping of social protection in the region, including government owned social protection
• Support an ongoing mapping on digitization or payment solutions across the region through research, literature review, and analysis.
• Contribute to a review of current CBT service provision, and CBT based complementary programming across the region to strengthen WFP’s understanding of the environment overall, and the ways we are contributing to it.
• Contribute to the creation of ‘CBT country profiles’, short documents that will draw on the information gained through the CBT review to reflect the current status of CBT programming in each country in the region.
• Perform other tasks as required.

Qualifications and experience

• Currently enrolled within a graduate programme in the fields of Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development, International Relations, Economics, Sociology, or other relevant area, 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)
• Excellent command of English; Working knowledge of a second UN language would be an asset
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
• Experience in analysing quantitative and qualitative information
• Experience in producing high-quality written outputs
• Experience in working as part of a team
• Understanding of social protection approaches, theory, and emerging evidence, including the life-cycle approach
• Knowledge of current thinking and developments in the field of social protection, cash-based transfers, and public policy
• Understanding of humanitarian principles

Required soft skills/WFP Competencies:

• Problem solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to work independently in a timely and organised manner.

Working Languages

 Working knowledge of English (proficiency/level C) is required. French language skills would be an asset

Supervision (Level/Methods of Supervision)

 Under the direct supervision of the social protection advisor, 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 an elemental part of the supervision. The cash-based transfers advisor 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:

• Have gained a comprehensive understanding of the CBT and social protection environment in which WFP operates in East and Central Africa
• Have further developed their research and analytical skills
• Gained first-hand knowledge of WFP’s experiences and contributions to social protection and CBT in East and Central Africa, as well as some of the key challenges and opportunities arising.

Information on the Country of Assignment

 Living conditions in Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi is a cosmopolitan city with many restaurants and malls. Kenya is generally a peaceful country, though violence related to the electoral process has occurred in certain parts of the country, including during the 2017 elections. It is advisable that staff members maintain a high level of awareness and preparedness to minimize unnecessary exposure to any terrorist related threats. The greatest threats continue to be road safety and crime. UN personnel in Nairobi (including staff on either official or private visits) have on occasions been victims of crime. The most significant hazards are Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs). Traffic jams during both peak and non-peak times (including rainy periods) are a common feature on the roads in Nairobi and criminals may take advantage of these situations to rob motorists and passengers of their valuables. Most banks have a reasonable network of branches and ATMs across the city. ATMs will generally accept international cards, particularly Visa cards. The internet is also available with many free Wi-Fi locations in malls, restaurants, and businesses. Kenya has a stunning variety of scenery and wildlife, many beautiful National Parks, and great beaches. Kenya is highly geared to tourism, and visitors are made to feel welcome, whether tourists, residents, or citizens.

VA Reference no: 141655