Programme Assistant (NGO Partnerships) SC5 - Mersin, Turkiye - OA045-2024

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of 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: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

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).

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Over more than a decade, Syria has faced a relentless crisis that has driven hunger and humanitarian needs to unprecedented heights. The convergence of ongoing insecurity, widespread displacement, economic deterioration, infrastructural damage, and inadequate basic services has severely heightened vulnerability among men, women, and children. According to the 2023 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), a staggering 12.9 million people, or 55% of the population, are food insecure, including 3.1 million facing severe food insecurity. Additionally, 2.6 million people are at imminent risk of becoming food insecure. In today's Syria, the minimum wage can only afford a fifth of a family's food needs.

In this dire context, the presence of the World Food Programme (WFP) remains vital. Under its current Country Strategic Plan (2022-2025), WFP continues to provide life-saving and transformative assistance through emergency and targeted food assistance, nutritional support for vulnerable women, girls, and children, early recovery efforts, school feeding programmes, and support for humanitarian partners. Additionally, WFP is innovating service delivery mechanisms to ensure additional transparency and accountability to the communities it serves. Faced with reduced funding, WFP is transitioning to a prioritized assistance framework and seeks energetic, self-driven, and passionate individuals to support its vision of an agile, responsive, and above all person-centric operation.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Contract Type: Service Contract

Grade: Level 6
Duration: 12 months
Duty Station: Mersin, Turkiye

Unit/Division: Partnership Unit

JOB PURPOSE:  

The position holder will support all partnership-related activities for Northwest Syria Operation. This role involves close collaboration with activity units, cross-cutting units, and partnership focal points at both the Country Office and field/area offices. The job holder will engage in all phases of the partnership cycle, from partner selection through to the conclusion of the partnership.

Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in data management and analysis are essential for this role. The position holder will be responsible for the effective management of partnerships, including handling agreements, process management, coordination with various units, data management, partner due diligence evaluation, vendor creation, and financial oversight of partnerships. The successful candidate will work alongside a dynamic team within the WFP Northwest Syria Area Office in Mersin, Türkiye.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under supervision of partnership associate and the Head of Programme, the job holder is expected to demonstrate the below:

1. Partnership Management:

• Facilitate the entire partnership management cycle with cooperating partners, from selection and due diligence to capacity assessment, performance evaluation, and renewal of the agreements.
• Negotiate with potential partners, ensuring adherence to WFP’s rules, cost efficiency, and high-quality programming.
• Coordinate and secure necessary approvals for Field Level Agreements (FLAs), including preparation for the Cooperating Partner Committee.
• Administer partnership files and reports, maintaining comprehensive records of all partnership activities and agreements.

2. Financial Management:

• Oversee the financial aspects of FLAs, including the sampling review of monthly invoices, budget tracking, and supporting documentation to ensure timely payments and accurate financial reporting.
• Conduct budget analysis, expense analysis, and perform financial reconciliations as required.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of financial data in systems such as WINGS and COMET, including handling special cases like commodity losses, waivers, and budget reallocations.

3. Due Diligence and Compliance:

• Act as the focal point for due diligence on cooperating partners, preparing and renewing due diligence reports, and ensuring compliance with WFP standards.
• Manage the due diligence process, from collecting supporting documents to securing approvals, and maintain the Due Diligence Matrix for timely follow-up.
• Review UN Partner Portal (UNPP) red flags and coordinate with UN agencies to minimize paperwork duplication.

4. Capacity Building and Support:

• Conduct orientation and information sessions for potential and selected partners, providing ongoing guidance and technical support.
• Identify capacity-building needs and coordinate initiatives to enhance the operational and programmatic capabilities of cooperating partners.
• Oversee and mentor other support staff, ensuring tasks are completed to high standards and within deadlines.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess partnership effectiveness and impact, conducting field visits and audits as necessary.
• Prepare detailed reports and analyses on partnership activities, providing insights and recommendations for improving strategies and operations.

7. General Responsibilities:

• Perform other duties as required to support the Country Office’s objectives

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: 

Education:

• Completion of secondary school education.
• A university degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Business Administration, or a related field is desirable.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible work experience including at least three (3) years in Partnership Management and/or project or financial management , preferably within an international NGO or humanitarian organization, plus two (2) years of experience in any other field

Knowledge & Skills:  

• Strong understanding of the humanitarian and development sectors.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure.
• Proficiency in project management and monitoring and evaluation techniques.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficient in MS Excel and other management software.

Languages: 

• Fluency in both oral and written communication in the UN language in use at the duty station (English) and in the duty station's language. Given the context, fluency in both oral and written communication in Arabic is required for this position.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

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.