Vacancies at World Food Programme (WFP)

JOB PURPOSE

To provide support to policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs.

The candidate will be seconded on behalf of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya (NACONEK) to advise Government on climate action in the context of school feeding and government’s roadmap to scale up the national school feeding programme from 2.3 million children to 10 million children by 2030 and introduce a new climate-friendly approach to home-grown school feeding.

This new climate-friendly approach aims to enhance the number of learners in schools through access to school meals, while cushioning Kenya’s communities in arid and semi-arid lands from the adverse effects of climate change to build their resilience. It will promote local procurement of food for school meals from smallholder farmers, the uptake of drought-resistant crops and climate-smart agricultural practices, the adoption of green energy solutions for school infrastructure and school kitchens, among others.

To provide support to policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority)

• Provide advisory support to the Ministry of Education and NACONEK on climate-specific issues to inform Kenya’ climate-smart approach to school feeding, as part of the scale-up of Kenya’s national school meals programme, in coordination with WFP Kenya’s Coordinator on School Meals Programmes and guidance from WFP Kenya’s Head of Country Capacity Strengthening.
• Identify climate risks, as well as opportunities for integrating climate action into the design of Kenya’s programmes on school feeding. This will include consultations and advisory support in the areas of home-grown school feeding, local procurement, promotion of drought-resilient crops through menu selection, green energy solutions for school infrastructure and kitchens. Specific Climate-specific expertise will be needed in terms of climate mitigation, adaptation, and climate financing.
• Identify and explore opportunities for resource mobilization to support Kenya’s roll-out of their climate-friendly approach to school feeding through climate financing options.
• Contribute towards the development of Government’s projects, plans, and processes for the roll-out of the national school meals programme and climate-friendly approach to school feeding as a key pillar of that, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance.
• Provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
• Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained. This will include the integration of climate-sensitive indicators in the M&E toolkit to ensure that climate-related matters are tracked and taken into account for future programme steering decisions.
• Research and analyze a range of policy and operational issues to inform the  development of policies, programmes, and activities. This includes ensuring that policy analysis as well as operational issues in school feeding are sensitive to climate context in Kenya and appropriate measures are integrated into the reports, plans and programmes within the SF space.
• Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on Kenya’s school meals programmes and activities that enable informed decision making  and  consistency  of information presented to stakeholders. This includes making sure that agreed climate indicators and processes are tracked and reported on in various SF reports.
• Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects, and highlight potential risks to project delivery.
• Support the identification, development, and management  of  potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to enhanced support for Kenya’s scale-up of their national school feeding programme. This includes conducting a mapping of critical stakeholders in climate sector to enhance partnerships and synergies.
• Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners, and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g., through  providing inputs into training materials.
• Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries.
• Engagement in regular consultation meetings and task forces to inform Kenya’s roll-out of climate-friendly school feeding programme.
• Other as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Three (3) years post graduate relevant professional experience with Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Climate Change, Environment and Development, or International Development and Politics.

OR

• Five (5) years post graduate relevant professional experience with a first university degree in Environmental Management, Climate Change, Environment and Development, or International Development and Politics.
• Experience in working with governments and international development and humanitarian organizations in a technical advisor function.
• Demonstrated leadership in implementing programmes.
• Demonstrated experience in providing advisory support to governments or development partners on issues of climate action and climate mainstreaming in development policies and programmes, food systems and safety nets.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Has deepened technical knowledge through exposure to technical teams.
• Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions.
• In-depth understanding on school feeding and safety nets and their impact on addressing vulnerabilities and issues of food security and nutrition.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written English.

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JOB PURPOSE

This position will provide policy and programme support to effectively guide WFP Kenya's refugee operations towards effectively contributing to the shift from an encampment approach in hosting refugees to integrated and resilient settlements for both refugees and host communities to meet food assistance needs. The position will contribute broadly to efforts to align WFP operations to the shift from encampment to integrated settlements.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• In liaison with the managers for the humanitarian and resilience components of WFP’s refugee operation, contribute towards the design and implementation of a wide variety of programmes, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance.
• Provide project management support to the refugee operation while ensuring a coordinated approach with other programmes in the Country Office and compliance with WFP standards and procedures.
• Contribute to the initial and periodic socio-economic assessments to inform differentiated assistance packages for refugees and surrounding local community members.
• Contribute to the development and refining of differentiated assistance packages (humanitarian and development) based on socio-economic profiles. The office will also contribute to the development of an "incentivization strategy" for vulnerable households to encourage their shift from unconditional assistance to conditional humanitarian assistance programmes, complemented by resilience and economic empowerment initiatives.
• In liaison with UNHCR, the Department of Refugee Services and other key stakeholders guide field operations in crucial processes that will be put in place for differentiated assistance to refugees. This will entail developing standard procedures for complaints, feedback and recourse.
• Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the advocacy and improvement policies and improvement programme and activity design in relation to the Shirika Plan and WFP’s strategy for transitioning refugee operations from camps to settlements.
• Regularly, scan and identify catalytic opportunities for effective cross-learning based on existing and new investments led by the Government, multilateral actors and private sector and recommend them for consideration by the project leadership team.
• Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision-making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Coordinate data gathering and monitoring for the transition ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained. Oversee the capturing of evidence and lessons learned from this process to inform research and learning from this initiative.
• Support the development and management of partnerships to ensure smooth roll-out of the above activities.
• Represent WFP in relevant technical and sector meetings and forums which are part of the Shirika Plan and identify issues that need to be channelled for policy engagement with the government.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Three (3) years post graduate relevant professional experience with master’s degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition, Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or other field relevant to international development assistance.

OR

• Five (5) years post graduate relevant professional experience with a first university degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition, Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or other field relevant to international development assistance.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in both humanitarian and development assistance to local, displaced populations and refugees.
• Demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance for the design and implementation of humanitarian interventions, food systems and resilience programmes at national or county level, in coordination with government and other partners.
• Experience in integrated programme management, particularly in the areas of refugee transition, resilience building, economic empowerment, and social protection.
• Experience in leading teams in the implementing programmes.
• Has experience in contributing to policy development, advocacy, and policy dialogue.
• Coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Analytic thinking and experience in evidence generation and knowledge management.
• Experience in troubleshooting and solving complex operational issues.

Knowledge and skills:

• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a range of individuals to provide high-quality support.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Substantive analytical skills.

Language: National Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language

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ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT (Cont.)

WFP will leverage its long-standing relationships with the government, UN partners, NGOs, targeted communities, and county governments to implement this strategy through WFP initiatives, joint UN programs, and other collaborative efforts. Additionally, WFP will explore greater engagement with the private sector to increase investment in refugee-hosting areas. Recognizing the risk of inadequate funding and the need for coordinated action among stakeholders, WFP will also play a key role in advocating for the advancement of the transition agenda.

JOB PURPOSE

Reporting to the Outcome Manager, this role will deliver a wide range of analytics for the food assistance pipeline, program budget development, and tracking and reporting processes that contribute to effective field office support in relation to refugee and relief operations. In particular, this position will focus on coordinating the operational food assistance pipeline, support in tracking budgets that require special attention and analyzing financial and other data required for operational and donor reports. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Food Assistance Pipeline Management Support

• Monitor and analyse the food assistance pipeline for refugee and relief operations to ensure that required information on the same is effectively consolidated and readily available to guide decision-making. This will require collaboration with the Budget and Programming and Supply Chain Units and field/sub-offices.
• In coordination with other key units, monitor food stocks and ensure that these are availed in time for distribution and bring to the attention of the Activity Managers issues that need resolution.
• Support oversight for commodity tracking and accounting for commodity utilization from source to beneficiaries to ensure compliance with donor requirements.
• Prepare food allocation requests for the disbursement of food field/sub-offices. Communicate and ensure that donor conditions are adhered to in tracking and timely utilization of commodities.
• For internal consistency and improvement in operational efficiency and effectiveness, the incumbent will collect and analyse data, and put together reports highlighting opportunities for improvement and effective operationalization of the food assistance pipeline in the relief and refugee operations.
• Support in the preparation of donor reports, and consolidate required data inclusive of required analytics on all required aspects that support the narrative.
• Contribute towards the development of projects, plans, and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance.

Budget Management Support

• Assist refugee operation managers in planning, monitoring and reconciling sub-office budgets and expenditures to ensure that planned financial resources are used effectively and in line with the approved implementation budget.
• Collate and track financial data required for monitoring the implementation budget and donor reports.
• Monitor and track the use of the special grants based on the approved budget, identify deviations, propose solutions and compile data for reporting. This will be done in liaison with the finance and administrative assistants in sub/field offices to ensure that budgets are charged correctly.

Partnership Engagement Support

• Support Activity Managers to prepare packages for cooperating partnership selection, focusing on budgets.
• Analyse and review annual budgets submitted by cooperating partners and guide sub-offices based on stipulated guidelines. Liaise with support units such as Supply Chain, Donor Relations & Public Communication and Nutrition among others to ensure technical and contract alignment.
• Support activity managers with required data, analytics and coordination for partnership spot checks, and evaluations in collaboration with the Partnerships Unit, Sub-Offices, Finance and Risk Management teams.
• Compile inputs required for donor reports, communication and visibility outputs.

Programme Data Management Support

• Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision-making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Review monthly reports from sub-offices, and cooperating partners, and draw out information and data to be channelled to different reports and meetings. This will include providing data for ad hoc requests to facilitate informed and timely decision-making at all levels throughout the organization. 
• Provide guidance to support field office staff, acting as a point of referral and assisting them with analysis and queries.
• Support the Outcome Reports Officer in Knowledge Management for WFP’s refugee and relief operations.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• One (1) year post graduate relevant professional experience with master’s degree in Economics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics, Mathematics or other relevant field;

OR

• Three (3) years post graduate relevant professional experience with a first university degree in Economics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics, Mathematics or other relevant field
• At least 3 years of progressively responsible work experience in financial and programme data management and supply chain streams. Experience in managing special grants is an added advantage.
• Experience in analyzing operational context and trends.
• Experience in supporting analytical and conceptual work on supply chain strategies and implementation.
• Experience in designing plans and operational scenarios in collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in analyzing end-to-end supply chain operations and working with supply chain information systems.
• Experience in troubleshooting and solving operational issues.

Knowledge and skills:

• Extensive knowledge of WFP’s refugee assistance activity.
• Ability to carry out extensive data analysis, handle large volumes of data and document review and independently rectify problems requiring attention. This requires proficiency in Excel.
• Ability to monitor and record financial transactions.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a range of individuals to provide a high-quality support service.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Substantive analytical skills

Language: Fluency in both oral and written English.

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JOB PURPOSE

This position will provide leadership in developing engineering solutions for climate food systems in the counties (including settlements) that host refugees in Kenya.  The position will contribute to efforts to align WFP operations to the shift from encampment to integrated settlements, specifically, optimising food systems to enhance livelihoods. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Provide agricultural engineering and project management services for the relevant area office, and apply best practices, standards and innovative technologies that comply with WFP standards and processes for high-impact food systems.
• Conduct relevant analyses of the context and recommend or lead in conducting appropriate assessments to determine the feasibility of proposed engineering projects.  This will entail close collaboration with county government engineers and other key stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance for food system procurement processes, provide oversight monitor the implementation of the projects through field visits and provide necessary technical support. This will also include developing procurement documents for feasibility, construction projects and development of user manuals for non-technical staff and communities.
• Collate data and contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on outputs to facilitate informed decision-making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Prepare evidence-based recommendations on measures to improve facilities/infrastructures suitability to operational purpose, safety, and efficiency of structures and equipment including support in the development of project guidance materials (e.g. manuals) on project implementation.
• Work closely with the programme team, provide technical guidance that supports procurement of quality tools and equipment and ensure they are supplied to the communities for effective implementation of projects.
• Participate in technical or design review, exchange of knowledge and experience keeping abreast of water harvesting technologies and food systems engineering technologies in general, to facilitate implementation of innovative solutions to enhance food systems and livelihood opportunities.
• Support building of partnerships with other UN agencies, NGOs,  the County government and the private sector to improve synergy and impact of the projects.
• Represent WFP in relevant forums and sector working at county level and other meetings and conferences, that focus on the development of infrastructure for food systems enhancement, especially water resources.
• Collate data and contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on outputs to facilitate informed decision-making and consistency of information presented to the stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance that supports a successful construction procurement process.
• Participate in community engagement processes during project identification, design, implementation and evaluation.
• Support the capacity building of engineering staff to facilitate continued development and high performance.
• Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitoring the management of risks.
• Other as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Three (3) years post graduate relevant professional experience with Master's degree in Agricultural Engineering, Water Engineering, Irrigation Engineering, or related field.

OR

• Five (5) years post graduate relevant professional experience with a first university degree Agricultural Engineering, Water Engineering, Irrigation Engineering, or related field.
• At least 5 or more years of progressively responsible work experience designing and implementing projects in agricultural engineering.
• Demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance for the design and implementation of engineering projects and solutions in rural, semi-urban and urban settings for food systems.
• Competent in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Registered or registrable with Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) and/or Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK)
• Procurement and contract management experience using FIDIC contracts suites.
• Competent in the use of land survey tools for engineering and waterworks
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and/or Civil 3D or any other relevant CAD software

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge and skills:

• Understanding of community-based participatory planning approaches
• Ability to conduct capacity gaps needs assessments and design programmes to fill these gaps.
• Experience in working in arid and semi-arid parts of Kenya and with communities in displaced settings, including refugee contexts.
• Familiarity with rainwater harvesting technologies and pastoral livelihood approaches, underground water extraction
• Excellent communication skills - both written and oral in English and Kiswahili.
• Strong organization and planning skills coupled with good interpersonal skills.
• Good analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, tact, negotiating skills;
• Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.
•  Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Language:

Fluency (level C) in English language.