Programme Associate (SC-6)_Salavanh District, Salavanh Province

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WHY JOIN WFP? 

• 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 the various country, 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.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Programme Associate (PA)

Grade: SC-6

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Service Contract (SC) for Lao National ONLY

UNIT/DIVISION: Programme

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Salavanh District, Salavanh Province

DURATION: One year with possible extension

BACKGROUND

The Programme Associate (SC6) will be recruited — based in Salavanh district, Salavanh province. He/she will report to Programme Policy Officer, under the overall supervision of the Head of Field Office in Pakse and will support the implementation and promotion of School Meals Programme and Agriculture for Nutrition Phase II Project.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide technical support and contribute to the planning, design, and implementation of activities under Strategic Outcomes (SOs), ensuring alignment with broader WFP policies and programme guidelines.

• Deliver project management support to ensure timely and effective implementation of activities in accordance with WFP policies, procedures, and established targets.

• Support effective coordination and communication of programme objectives and activities to government partners, other agencies, and institutions to maintain consistency of information shared and ongoing project activities to ensure quality implementation of activities.

• Support capacity building of supervised staff through formal and informal methods, offering guidance, instruction, and collaboration with relevant counterparts and partners within assigned programme areas, while maintaining WFPs codes of conducts and ethics.

•  Track and support the implementation of activities in target area and provide updates and reports on field activity’s achievements to partners and local communities.

• Strengthening the capacity and provide guidance to District Community Facilitators (DCFs) and implementing partners (Education, Agriculture, Health and the Lao Women’s Union)  to ensure all work and organizational objectives, contributing to effective programme implementation.

• Ensure DCFs are conducting activity implementation according to the work plans, properly tracking implementation and results, providing clear guidance to DCFs.

• Oversee programme implementation, ensuring adherence to established guidelines, standards, and quality benchmarks.

• Prepare, review, and finalize advance requests for workshops, trainings, meetings, and field activities conducted in districts and villages.

• Drafting of initial minutes of meetings and proceedings of reviews and collecting information from villages regarding programme progress and achievements.

• Regularly report on programme activities, achievements, and challenges, proposing actionable solutions to supervisors.

• Facilitate effective communication and information exchange with internal counterparts to support collaboration, implementation, and monitoring of ongoing activities.

• Perform other duties as required.

Skills and Competencies:

• Experience supporting program activities in rural community development, agriculture, education and/or nutrition

• Ability to coordinate effectively with government partners, NGOs and local communities

• Familiarity with agriculture, nutrition, health and education sector approaches

• Understanding of food security and community-based development

• Knowledge of data collection, monitoring tools and basic data analysis is an asset

• Skill in training, mentoring and guiding community facilitators and local partners

• Ability to transfer knowledge to facilitators and implementation parts and strengthen institutional capacity

• Strong written and oral communication in Lao; English proficiency required

• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including ethnic groups

• Strong negotiation and facilitation skills

• Ability to work in challenging field conditions and remote locations

• Flexibility to adapt to changing programmes needs

• Strong skills in planning, organizing, and prioritizing field activities

• Ability to manage administrative tasks (advance requests, workshop/training arrangement, reporting)

• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team

• Commitment to WFP’s values of integrity, collaboration and inclusion.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

A bachelor’s degree in agriculture, nutrition, public health, social sciences, environmental science or related field is an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in community development, agriculture, rural development, education or related fields.

• Experience working with government counterparts, community-based organizations, and/or UN or NGO projects.

• Demonstrated experience in programme implementation, monitoring and reporting.

• Willingness and ability to work in remote locations and with diverse ethic groups.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of community-based approach to agriculture, nutrition, health or education (school meal)

• Strong skills in communication, coordination, and negotiation with diverse groups

• Ability to train, mentor and strengthen the capacity of community facilitators and partners.

• Good organizational skills with ability to plan and prioritize multiple tasks.

• Basic knowledge of data collection and analysis is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written Lao.

• Working knowledge of English (written and spoken).

• Knowledge of at least one ethnic minority language is an asset.

Female candidates or people from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

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Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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.

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.