Position: Senior Programme Associate 

Organization: The United Nations World Food Programme

Location: Multiple Locations

(1) Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh; (2)  Bhubaneswar, Odisha; (3) Chandigarh, Haryana; (4)  Raipur, Chhattisgarh;  (5) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; (6) Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

Apply: https://career5.successfactors.eu/career?_s.crb=Od6od2xXe%252b8ivE7X9uAfNHEdpZ62FvivSDQGwfP2cpA%253d

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

Fortification of rice in the food-based safety nets

-    Provide technical assistance to the State Governments on rice fortification-this will include technological advice, development of well costed project notes, terms of reference etc.
-    Develop and support in implementation a plan for scale-up of fortified throughout the food based safety net in the given State.
Capacity building:

-    Support the organization of workshops and advocacy events on fortified rice.
-    Support the relevant line Departments dealing with food-based safety nets in the organization of sensitization events on rice fortification for their staff.
-    Develop a systematic plan for capacity building of all rice millers in the State including providing guidance to the rice millers on procurement of blending equipment through on-site visits.
-    Support State Food Safety Departments in sensitization of private sector players on rice fortification and work towards increasing the fortified rice kernels production capacity in the States. 
Quality Assurance and quality control

-    Develop and implement SOPs and protocols on quality control and quality assurance of fortified rice along the rice supply chain.
-    Review QA/QC reports at different levels and accordingly suggest corrective actions.

Social behaviour change communication
-    Facilitate the development, dissemination and implementation of advocacy strategy and materials aimed at improving commitment, knowledge and understanding of decision makers, private sector, public sector, general public, people benefiting from food fortification.
Monitoring and evaluation

-    Regularly visit rice mills to monitor rice blending operations including storage of fortified rice, QA/QC protocols as well as fair price shops, anganwadi centres and government schools to gauge consumer acceptability.
-    Work with government counterparts to support the development of a MIS system on fortified rice at the State level.
-    Support the State in conducting baseline and endline of the Centrally sponsored scheme on fortified rice implemented in the State and help in identification of partners for the purpose.

Partnerships and convergence

-    Identify, build capacities and establish convergence between local academic & research institutes and the Departments of Food and Public Distribution in the States on fortified rice to enable provision of technical assistance and ensure sustainability, post WFP exit.
-    Support DFPD and the State Project Management Units in organizing regular meetings of the technical working group notified on fortified rice
-    Work towards inter-departmental coordination by leading and supporting State PMU.

Research and Documentation

-    Drive forward efforts to further optimize the pre-mix formulation, equipment or manufacturing process parameters with R&D partners.
-    Document achievements, best practices and lessons learnt on rice fortification to enhance learning within WFP and amongst partners at national level.
-    Regular follow up with districts and preparation of periodic reports on the status of implementation of fortified rice.
Any other work assigned.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Coaches team in the most effective ways to communicate WFP’s Strategic Objectives to WFP team and partners in the field.
•  Be a force for positive change: Implements new methods or tools to improve team’s work processes and productivity.
•  Make the mission inspiring to our team: Maps team’s activities and tasks to specific successes in beneficiary communities to showcase positive impact.
•  Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Explains to teammates how each unit contributes to the overall WFP mission.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Identifies skill development opportunities such as training modules or on-the-job experiences for self, colleagues and direct reports.
•  Create an inclusive culture: Facilitates team building activities to build rapport in own unit.
•  Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Facilitates the pairing of junior colleagues with coaches within own team.
•  Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Proactively anticipates potential challenges and develops mitigation plans to ensure that team meets goals and targets.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Identifies opportunities to be creative in own work and to help team be more innovative and accurate in their respective tasks and areas of work.
•  Focus on getting results: Monitors team’s deliverables and provides feedback to ensure outcomes are delivered consistently and accurately.
•  Make commitments and make good on commitments: Provides accurate guidance to team on expected responsibilities and tasks, whilst also upholding own commitment to the team.
•  Be Decisive: Sets an example and provides guidance to junior team members on when to escalate issues when faced with challenging issues in the workplace or in the field.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Facilitates partnerships with other WFP units to accomplish missions in the field.
•  Build strong external partnerships: Sets an example and provides guidance to team on how to build relationships with external partners.
•  Be politically agile & adaptable: Articulates to colleagues or direct reports the value of contributing to other WFP teams and agency partnerships in fulfilling WFP’s goals and objectives.
•  Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Organizes, monitors, and prioritizes own and team’s efforts to ensure that they will fulfil the needs of internal and external partners.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education: Completion of secondary school education, first level university degree/ certification/diplomas in food technology, food engineering, food sciences, nutrition or related fields is desirable.

Experience: A minimum of 7 years work experience in area of food production/quality control of which at least 2-3 years of working closely in the area of food fortification. 

•    Previous experience of working in partnership with the government/UN agency/INGO is desirable.
•    Experience with programme cycle management (design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) of large-scale food fortification programmes with public health objectives. 
•    Successful track record in networking with government/public sector, private sector, civil society, UN agencies, donors and research institutions.
•    Experience in capacity development especially of government counterparts and private sector on aspects related to food fortification/ food safety and quality.
•    Evidence based approach, incl. experience with research, academic publications, etc.
•    Experience with rice, wheat, oil, milk and salt sectors in India would be an asset 

Language and communication 
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Ability to communicate in the local language for the State being applied for is desirable.

Knowledge and skills: 

•    Strong technical knowledge of nutrition, including nutrients 
•    Sound knowledge of the status of food fortification in the country including the vision of the government of India on the same.
•    Proven leadership and management skills
•    Strong analytical skills, strong interpersonal and organizational skills, with an ability to effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously. 

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

•    Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of actors from government, private sector and civil society;
•    Solid planning and problem-solving skills and action oriented;
•    Excellent computer skills; 
•    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 frequent travel.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. A written test will be used as a form of screening. In the event your candidature is retained for an interview, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/ certificate(s) will be requested in advance.
This is a national position therefore applicants who are non-Indian nationals will not be considered.
Mode of Engagement: The salary for this position is as per WFP policy, plus medical benefits as per WFP's plan. All tax liability for payments from this contract will 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.
Female applicants and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all suitable applicants, irrespective of gender, n