UN World Food Programme (WFP) Jobs - Senior Programme Assistant

Job Title:  Senior Programme Assistant

Organization: World Food Programme (WFP)

Duty Station:  Tororo & Gulu, Uganda

Vacancy Announcement No.: VA-06-2015

Position Grade: SB3/Q1 (G.6 equivalent)

Reports to: Programme Officer

About US:

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is the United Nations frontline agency against world hunger. It is the largest and longest serving humanitarian agency in Uganda. Currently WFP focuses on three priority areas namely: Emergency Humanitarian Action (EHA); Food & Nutrition Security (FNS); and Agriculture & Market Support (AMS). WFP has operations in various parts of the Country.

Job Summary: The UN World Food Programme (WFP) Senior ProgrammeAssistant will work closely with district Farmer Organizer Groups, local metal artisans and be responsible for coordinating district level efforts to support selected smallholder farmers in adopting appropriate techniques to reduce post-harvest losses

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Be absolutely clear on all details contained within the Special Operation (SO) Work plan;
• Offer district leadership in all aspects of the Special Operation (SO) Work plan;
• Responsible for managing the four critical stages of the SO within district;
• In charge of capacity development
• In charge of equipment Manufacturing and Procurement
• Provide timely Field Support
• In charge of Monitoring and Evaluation
• Actively coordinate SO post-harvest enhancement programmes through the Framer Organiser Group selected in the district;
• Regularly review the contract terms and conditions for the Farmer Organiser Group and monitor service delivery of the Farmer Organiser Group as per the agreed framework;
• Maintain records /statistics/reports of programme activities within the district;
• Actively participate in local PHHS training workshops; ensure training facilities are of the required level and training facilitators are correctly delivering the training material to invited farmers. Participate in the preparation and implementation of training/capacity building workshops (assist with venue selection, farmer invitations, copies of training materials, stationary, travel vouchers etc) and provide a written report at the end of each training session;
• Monitor the overall number and status of smallholder farmers in the project (ensuring >30% are women) and prepare an assessment report at requested stages during the SO;
• Works closely with Programme Officer to ensure micro-financing support is available for participating farmers to purchase the required PHHS equipment;
• Support in identifying competent local metal artisans with the potential to construct silos for according to specific SO fabrication requirements. Support Programme Officer in all areas of negotiations, either directly with artisans or with suppliers of raw materials, to ensure budgetary targets are met.
• Actively co-ordinate the distribution of all manufactured silos (as well as hermetic storage units purchased from outside of the district) to participating farmers within the agreed time period and budgeted cost.
• Works with Farmer Organiser Group, visit smallholder farmers sites to verify progress and provide advice as required;
• Report to the Programme Officer on the status of all SO
• KPI’s (in relation to smallholder farmers and SO partners) on a regular basis; weekly, monthly, etc;
• Gather market intelligence within the district through research and networking to improve the knowledge basis in WFP;
• Support the SO Project Manager in strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders in post-harvest handling, including those managed by Government, UN agencies, NGOs and the private sector;
• Take part in meetings with key stakeholders to update them on the progress of the SO and to address any concerns which may arise;
• Perform any other duties as assigned the Programme Officer.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience: 

• The ideal candidate for the aforementioned United Nations WFP Senior Programme Assistant should hold a University degree or postgraduate studies in any of the following fields, public administration, transport, development studies /economics, agriculture or other related field from a recognized institution
• A minimum of five years relevant working experience in a related field gained from reputable organizations;
• Computer literacy skills i.e. detailed working knowledge and expertise in using MS Office applications;
• Possess the ability to speak at least one of the local languages will be an added advantage.
• The ideal candidates should be highly motivated and task oriented to achieve clear objectives within a specific period of time.
• The applicants must be mature persons with sound judgement, good analytical skills, ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing, ability to work in a team
• Possess the ability to resolve operational problems, work with minimum supervision, cope with situations which may threaten health or safety, and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds
• Language proficiency in both oral and written English is essential;

How to Apply: 

All suitably qualified Ugandan nationals are encouraged to submit their applications together with detailed curriculum vitae, copies of certificates under confidential cover quoting on the envelop the vacancy announcement number and name of the applicant to:

The Human Resources Officer UN World Food Programme P.O. Box 7159 Kampala. Uganda

Hand delivered applications should be dropped in a box at the reception of WFP Offices at Plot 17-19, Clement Hill Road.

NB: Applicants should check on the Notice Board at the main entrance to confirm that their applications have been received one week after the closing date.

Deadline: Friday, 10th April 2015