Job Opportunity for Programme Policy Officer at World Food Programme in Lucknow

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Mode of Engagement: The salary for this position is INR 1,831,116/- per annum, plus medical benefits as per WFP’s plan. All tax liability for payments from this contract are to be borne by the subscriber. Qualified candidates will be retained on roster for at least two years and may be considered for future similar vacant posts.
 
JOB PURPOSE

WFP Collaboration with the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) and the Department of Women & Child Development (DWCD) in Uttar Pradesh
Aligned to the overarching vision around improved nutrition, WFP has been supporting the State Rural Livelihood Mission and the Department of Women & Child Development in their mission to ensure the availability and demand of nutritious, quality assured and safe take home rations (THR) through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme through local production by women’s self groups (WSHG). Under this project, a total of 204 THR production units run by WSHGs are in process of being set up across the State to cater to ICDS requirements in 43 districts. Each unit will produce a variety of different food products for different ICDS beneficiary groups such as children between 6 months to 6 years of age, adolescent girls and pregnant/ lactating women. 
WFP support to the project involves a combination of technical assistance and direct support to set up the THR production units. The direct support has involved the setting up and operationalization of two block level THR production units in Bighapur, Unnao and Malwa, Fatehpur-these fully automated production plants function as Centres of Excellence and are used for training workers from other districts for the scale up of the production units in the remaining districts in the State. WFP technical assistance is focused primarily on the processes around the production of the THR products, setting standard operating procedures, capacity building etc. Post set-up, WFP is providing technical assistance for monitoring the implementation and production across the units; identifying gaps/ areas for improvement and helping to fill the gaps through proven solutions. 

To support the roll out of this overall model for production of supplementary nutrition, WFP in close collaboration with UPSRLM will set up a Project Management Unit in UPSRLM to efficiently support the implementation of the project. Under the PMU, staff with different skill sets will be positioned at various levels, including the placement of a Programme Policy Officer (Team leader) at the State level within UPSRLM leading the overall effort.

The Programme Policy Officer (Team leader), under the direct guidance of the Mission Director at UPSRLM and the Programme Policy Officer (Nutrition) at WFP CO, also working in close coordination with the Programme Policy Officer (Nutrition) based at Lucknow and the overall guidance of the Head of Unit, Nutrition and School Meals will be responsible for the following:

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Support to on-ground implementation of the project:

•    Conduct capacity building of the women led microenterprises as well as the SRLM mission staff at all levels on different aspects of seamlessly running the THR production unit.

•    Lead the scale-up process of setting up and operationalizing the THR production units across the State.

•    Operationalize the systems and processes set up by WFP CO and Mission for smooth and streamlined functioning of all the THR units in the State.

•    Support the development of bid documents for State and unit level procurement of the different raw materials for production of take-home rations in collaboration with UPSRLM and follow up with vendors as required.

•    Regularly research and analyse operational issues and challenges with respect to the functioning of the THR unit to undertake corrective action and inform/revise policy and processes as appropriate.

•    Undertake all possible efforts to ensure that the units are profit making enterprises.

Monitoring the project:

•    Regularly visit the THR production units across the State to monitor the implementation of the project, identify gaps in implementation at the Unit level and suggest mid-course correction to the unit staff as well as to the UPSRLM district staff . The incumbent is expected to travel about 7-8 days per month.

•    Develop and monitor data gathering systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.

•    Review on a monthly basis the implementation of the project along with the Project Management team, WFP and UPSRLM 

Coordination

•    Coordinate with government counterparts at both State and district level across DWCD and SRLM as need be to facilitate implementation of the project including follow up for financial receipt submission/reimbursement.

•    Liaise with project stakeholders for timely implementation and speedy resolution of issues identified in the projects

•    Ensure necessary coordination between UPSRLM, WFP CO, SO, field staff and others for quality  implementation of the project.

•    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 in discussions with UPSRLM to improve the financial viability of the THR production units.

Staff management 

•    Provide guidance to the PMU members and field staff responsible for implementing the projects in consultation with the supervisor and assist them with analysis, queries etc.

•    Hold regular meetings and/or use other innovative and effective ways to ensure proper information sharing and communication within the team/staff members 

•     Meet with staff members under supervision on a regular basis to review progress, provide feedback, support development, provide support and coaching as necessary.

Documentation and knowledge management

•    Support development of training modules for building capacity of the women and SRLM staff engaged in the production of the THR.

•    Compile and identify best practices in the implementation of the project in the different production units for wider dissemination

•    Assist in the development of information, education and communication material and strategies relevant to the larger project. 

Perform other related duties as required.  

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University degree in Management, Marketing, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Social Sciences or other field relevant to rural development, or First University Degree with additional two years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience : Min 1 year of professional work experience preferably in the development sector. Previous experience of working in partnership with the government/UN agency/INGO or on projects targeted at addressing malnutrition at the community level is desirable.

Language: Fluency in spoken and written English and Hindi; ability to speak in other Indian languages is a plus. 

 KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

•    Excellent interpersonal skills required, including strong professionally communication ability;

•    Advocacy and networking skills with a broad range of stakeholders including government, private sector, civil society, academia, NGO and international cooperation 

•    Knowledge of research methods with familiarity in quantitative and qualitative methods;

•    Advanced computer skills with proficiency in Windows, Microsoft office;

•    Knowledge of UN system would be an asset

•    Knowledge of WFP programmes is an advantage

•    Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of nutrition and food security experts across fourteen countries

•    Tact and diplomacy 

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

•    Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of actors from government, private sector and civil society.

•    Very strong communications skills, both in writing and speaking

•    Solid planning and problem-solving skills and action oriented

•    Ability to work under tight deadlines and simultaneously manage multiple tasks in an autonomous manner; 

•    Maturity, initiative, courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds

•    Ability to handle any other additional tasks as requested by the supervisor.

•    Ability to undertake travel within the country. 

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings).

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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

Note: Applicants are requested to Create an account in the system before applying. 
Curriculum and applications will be registered and system allows them to update their profile and apply for a job through wfp careers website. 

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

The World Food Programme (WFP), operating in India since 1963, aims to provide technical support to strengthening the government’s food safety-nets programmes in order to improve access to nutritious food for millions of vulnerable households throughout the country. Through its Country Strategic Plan (2019-2023), WFP India aims to support India in achieving their targets under Sustainable Development Goals 2 which includes reducing all forms of malnutrition.  
WFP works with National and State governments to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of the three food based safety nets Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), PM POSHAN scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme by introducing viable solutions and best practices in existing systems to increase the intake, availability and knowledge of diverse, nutritious foods. Social behaviour change communications (SBCC) accompanies all activities to help target audiences to know more about the benefits of good nutrition, appropriate child feeding practices and appropriate health and hygiene practices.