Programme Associate - Government Partnership, Colombo

WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

ABOUT WFP

WFP Sri Lanka Country Office is implementing its second five-year Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023- 2027, which was a result of rigorous consultations and coordination with the government and other government technical stakeholders and reflects their appetite to support and partner with WFP in the country based on mutual commitment instituted through a legal partnership framework. It is informed by and strongly aligns with national and United Nations priorities and global commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It embraces the government's long-term Vision 2030 and contributes to the joint Sri Lanka-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The CSP is informed by the WFP's long-standing and broad experience in the country, embracing lessons from CSR, MTR, CSP evaluation, and reviews that call for greater synergy and a consolidation of the execution of an integrated CSP inclusive of emergency assistance for ongoing economic crises.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Job Title: Programme Associate - Government Partnership

Grade: GS6

Type of contract: Fixed Term

Duration: 1 Year

Duty Station: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Vacancy Number : 832292

Date of Publication: 28.04.2024

Deadline of Application: 11.14.2024

This vacancy announcement is for Sri Lankan Nationals only.

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate's qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following website for detailed information on working with WFP: http://www.wfp.org

Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP's operations.

JOB PURPOSE

Strengthening the capacity to facilitate the work of senior staff to effectively position WFP with public, private and external partners to attract policy support, resources, technical assistance and innovative solutions to advance the work of WFP, while supporting the government in the achievement of the SDGs and Zero Hunger and emphasizing WFP's contributions in this regard

The associate will also be responsible to provide effective specialized support and technical analyses to programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Provide technical support and assist GPO to facilitate and negotiate/communicate with government in the development and implementation of various activities and processes within the specific area of approved annual work plan in alignment with national priority, programme policies and guidelines.
• Support to contribute to the government partnerships portfolio, including partner profiling, its stakeholders and outreach activities, with the aim to maximize resources and leverage policy and technical support for WFP's work; Support partner visibility and ensure partner conditions are met.
• Support to solicit inputs, including operational updates, SOPs, from other Government entities to inform management and other senior staff on WFP's programmatic offering; Draft quality briefs and proactively highlight strategic issues to senior staff to inform best course of action and nurture partnership growth.
• Ensure and/or perform accurate, timely recording of data within the specific technical area of work (e.g., assistance in meetings, record the minutes, timely communications, reporting and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Liaise with internal counterparts to support effective collaboration, implementation and monitoring of ongoing project activities through strengthening the partnership.
• Coordinate and communicate with local implementing agencies, line agencies, NGOs and government institutions to perform activities and to ensure efficient delivery of food assistance.
• Support the development of Partnership Action Plans; draw up quality communications and reports by engaging with other government entities and related stakeholders.
• Support in capacity building of staff at PSFSD and PSWFPC, other key cooperating partners of the national government and District Secretariats within the specific technical area.eIbOBc1 R6xE8
• Assist to proactively collect the government circulars, country specific documents and strategic documents potentially influencing on WFP assistance and share with GPO along with highlight potential impact.
• Act as a point of contact for resolution of a range of operational queries and problems within a specific technical area of responsibility at the PSWFPC.
• Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations, monitor defined risks and Other as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area. A diploma or degree is preferred in Political Science or International Development, Public Administration, Development Economics, Agriculture Engineering, or another relevant field.

Experience: Minimum 6 years of work experience with a minimum of two years of experience working with the Government of Sri Lanka. Previous experience with WFP and/or international agencies will be an advantage. Additional knowledge on the protocols of the Government of Sri Lanka is desirable.

Knowledge & Skills: Relationship Management: Demonstrates the ability to build and sustain effective collaborative relationships with appropriate stakeholders and contacts in area of expertise to raise the profile of WFP, build relationships, and further organizational aims.

Communication Expertise: Facilitates and contributes to open verbal or written communication with stakeholders; presentation to a protocol audience.

Information Analytics, Reporting, and Management: Gathers, analyzes, and reports information in a manner that draws out fact-based insights to inform approaches to partner relationships and support substantive discussion with partners. Captures relevant information and progress, and ensures internal information sharing.

Computer Operation: A sound skill in Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point, and etc.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has a basic understanding of government strategies.
• Has developed effective relationships with partners and explored new areas to scale up existing activities and researched new opportunities.
• Has developed powerful narratives by using data analysis and visualization to enable action-oriented discussions with partners.
• Has provided advanced technical support and identified opportunities for service delivery excellence to strengthen partnerships.
• Has motivated team spirit and contributed to a gender-balanced, inclusive, and sound working environment.
• A minimum of one or more years of relevant professional work experience in partnership roles with government of Sri Lanka.
• Has contributed to implementation of programmes.
• Has observed or assisted with policy discussions.

To Apply: Click ‘Apply' to the link below to start the application process. Candidates are requested to create an account in WFP E-Recruitment system before applying.

Please also include your CV with a cover letter, highlighting your motivation and suitability for this vacancy, as part of an online application.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package including basic salary and medical insurance.

Please visit https://www.wfp.org/countries/sri-lanka to learn more about WFP's operations in Sri Lanka.

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

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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.

WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP's standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.