Programme Assistant (partnerships) SC-5 at WFP

ABOUT WFP

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do, and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of the diverse, committed, skilled, and high-performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP) and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

What will you do in this position? 

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Policy Officer and the overall supervision of the Head of the Programme, the Programme Assistant/NGO Partnership (hereinafter – PA/NGO) will be responsible for the provision of support to policy and programme activities that effectively meet NGO partnerships management. PA/NGO will manage activities aimed at ensuring that WFP remains compliant with its policies and guidelines in engaging its cooperating partners. These activities include implementing due diligence activities, analysing budgets from the cooperating partners (CP) and expenditure trends, WFP’s business processes, capacity building and strengthening of the CPs and WFP staff. At this level, the job holder is expected to demonstrate responsibility and initiative to respond independently to various queries with only general guidance.

Why work with us? 

The war in Ukraine continues to displace people, damage infrastructure, disrupt supply chains and hold back the country’s economy. One in three households is estimated to be food-insecure, rising to one in two in some areas of the east and south.  More than 6 million Ukrainians have been internally displaced and more than 6 million have left the country. Almost 6 million Ukrainians are internally displaced and nearly 8 million are living as refugees in Europe. Many of those who remain have lost their livelihoods, especially in areas close to the front lines. Those who returned are struggling to rebuild their lives, having run out of money or found their homes reduced to rubble.

WFP supports 3 million people every month in Ukraine, using a flexible mix of food and cash assistance. We support people wherever they are, including in areas close to the front line.

This is an opportunity for an exciting and challenging role in a multicultural, hardworking, fun and interdisciplinary team. In addition,

What is in for you? 

➡️ WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

➡️ WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment.

➡️ WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

➡️ A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various countries, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

➡️   WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, leave plus medical insurance.

How can you make a difference?

The Programme Assistant (NGO) will be responsible for the following duties:
– Providing effective support to Programme Associate/FLA and Programme Policy Officer in their daily work, including but not limited to preparation of drafts Field Level Agreements and/or Memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between WFP and NGO-partners and also WFP and Government counterparts or other documents on request;
– Assisting in the up-to-date tracking of the utilization of budget against planned targets, and advise on any observed discrepancies and implications;
– Assisting in the verification of invoices from CPs in the course of Field Level Agreement (FLA) implementation; claiming of missing documents for invoice verification; the processing of invoices as per the established standard operating procedures (SOP);
– Assisting in the risk assessment; due diligence and capacity assessments for partners (NGO, government, civil societies etc) to establish gaps and support the development and implementation of capacity-building activities/training;
– Assist in the development of materials for the Call for Proposals; publishing of Call on the UNPP; be a focal point for UNPP, assists to the Programme Policy Officer in collecting and distributing to the TRAC and CPC members of various documents, including project proposals and FLA budgets, amendments to the budgets; drafts amendments to current FLAs;
– Maintains the copies of existing and closed FLAs, invoices, and supporting documents for the verification of invoices, advance payments and requests for the advance payments; routing slips (both in DOC and PDF, both signed and drafted) in separate folders as instructed by the Programme Policy Officer; assists to senior colleagues in the Partnership unit in the maintaining of “FLA Tracking Sheet”͖ creates SOAs, POAs and SSes in WINGS on reƋuest; ensures that CP have timely provided their invoices and follow-up on this matter; ensures that all invoices are received, recorded and SES created without delays for all CPs in a timely manner; creates and circulates Routing slips;
– Assists in answering on incoming requests from other units of WFP Country Office;
– Support NGO-partner performance monitoring/evaluation, documentation and filing by coordinating the timely submission of input by all relevant entities;
– Undertake performance reviews and provide periodic updates (monthly and at the end of agreements) on partner performance for WFP’s timely feedback to the partners on their performances;
– Builds partnership and support collection and documentation of best practices during the project implementation processes to be used for advocacy and partnership development;
– Assistance in reviewing, troubleshooting and following up with NGO partners on all contractual and reporting obligations, including monitoring and evaluation, and advise Programme Policy officer on the need to escalate follow-up;
– Assist to Programme Policy officer on FLA budget implementation monitoring and tracking including bilateral meetings with NGO partners and field oversight visits.
– Assist in the development of proper filing system project documents including the FLAs;
– Support the Programme unit with additional tasks, as required

To join us in saving lives, changing lives, you will have for…

EDUCATION: First Degree, preferably in Social Sciences, Finance, Public Administration, Governance & Public Policy, International Relations, or development studies.

EXPERIENCE: At least 5 years of work experience preferably in partnerships/budget management, including in NGO or civil society or equivalent roles, work in an International Organization is an asset.

Desired experience:

• Has facilitated communication with technical teams (i.e. nutrition, VAM, etc.).

• Has contributed to the implementation of programmes.

• Has observed or assisted with policy discussions.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

– Proficiency in MS Office packages, especially word processing and spreadsheet;

– Specialized knowledge of the application of common business processes, practical business support methods, procedures and systems used, gained through technical training and work experience;

– Ability to analyse and interpret programmatic and financial data;

– Good communication skills to provide specialized business support services to a wide range of individuals within WFP and externally;

– Ability to build relationships with a variety of individuals across functions and cultures;

– Experience in coordinating the work of others and self, training, and supporting others;

LANGUAGE: Fluency in oral and written communication in English and Ukrainian languages.

Before you apply…

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

We aim to achieve parity in our teams in Ukraine. Qualified female applicants are especially encouraged to apply.  

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

How do you apply…

CV and cover letter must be submitted in English language.
Only those who are short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next steps of our recruitment process.

We also encourage you to create your candidate profile and set up WFP job alerts to learn more about all the opportunities available to join us and make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.