Programme Associate (School Feeding, Embedded in DepEd)

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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.

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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).

CONTEXT 
Despite decades of steady economic progress, and aspirations to become an Upper Middle-Income country, socio-economic progress in the Philippines is hampered by exposure to multi-hazards (typhoons, volcanos, earthquakes, landslides) and conflict. The country is ranked as number 1 on the World Risk Index, with the highest disaster risk worldwide due to its very high exposure, vulnerability, susceptibility combined with lack of coping and adaptive capacities. 

In parallel, the Philippines faces a range of challenges related to food security and nutrition. The nutrition situation among school children in the Philippines is a cause for concern, with many children suffering from various forms of undernutrition. According to a 2021 survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, around 20.8% of Filipino school children aged 5-10 years old were underweight, and 19.7 % were stunted. Micronutrient deficiencies are also a significant problem, In 2018, around 12.5 % of school children aged 6-10 years old were anaemic, with higher rates observed in rural areas. 

The Government of the Philippines has an established National School Feeding Programme and has signed on to the School Meals Coalition, being the first country in Asia-Pacific to do so. The Republic Act No. 11037 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations in 2021, also known as the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act”, provided the basis to establish a comprehensive national feeding programme to address undernutrition among Filipino children. Undernourished school children are provided with nutritious meals for a period of not less than 120 days.  The National School feeding programmes (NSFP) have been implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) in the Philippines for many years as a strategy to improve the health and nutritional status of school-aged children, particularly those from low-income families. The NSFP aims to provide hot, nutritious meals to school children in public elementary and secondary schools across the country. The programme is implemented through a combination of government funds, local government support, and partnerships with private sector organizations. 
In recent years, there have been efforts to expand and improve school feeding programmes in the Philippines. In 2017, the home-grown school feeding model (HGSF) was launched in BARMM, which aims to promote the use of locally-sourced ingredients in school meals, while also supporting local farmers and food producers. The HGSF has been implemented in selected areas in BARMM with efforts underway to scale up at the regional level and national level, with the goal of scaling up to reach more schools and communities in the future.
To support the Government’s vision and commitment to the School Meals Coalition in adopting the HGSF programme in the country and to expand the NSFP, WFP is providing technical assistance through evidence generation and advocacy to amend policies, enhance programme design, and build capacity of partners. WFP is also acting as a Secretariat for the regional Peer to Peer Network. WFP support also includes the development of an integrated approach to school health and nutrition, including with SBCC and rice fortification.  WFP jointly with the Government is planning to launch a project aimed at further enhancing and elaborating a HGSF implementation model, generating evidence and establishing groundwork on how to create sustainable and scalable programmes. 

JOB PURPOSE
To support the Government of Philippine’s vision, mission on the School-based Feeding Programme, WFP is seeking to hire a committed, innovative, and dynamic individuals to join its Philippine Country Office. The incumbent will be embedded in the Department of Education with the aim of supporting WFP and the DepEd in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of school meals programmes by providing technical and administrative support to the programme.  

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 
Under the direct supervision of School Feeding Programme Policy Officer embedded in DepEd in Manila, the Programme Associate (School Feeding, Embedded in DepEd) and the overall direction from the WFP School Feeding Lead will be responsible and accountable for:

• Providing technical and administrative support to WFP and DepEd in the implementation of the Home-Grown School Feeding programme and capacity strengthening activities for regional SBFP. 
• Liaise actively with WFP and DepEd to support effective collaboration, implementation and monitoring of ongoing project activities.
• Support the WFP School Feeding team in maintaining and strengthening relations with Government counterparts.
• Support coordination and communication with local partners, agencies, NGOs/CSOs/POs and non-education sector government institutions to ensure efficient delivery of the Home-Grown School Feeding programme and capacity strengthening activities for regional SBFP.
• Support multi-sectorial collaboration between WFP, DepEd and other Government entities, including supporting secretariat functions for the technical working group on SBFP (and similar groups as required).
• Act as a point of contact within DepEd for resolution of a range of operational queries and problems within the WFP-supported school feeding activities.
• Support WFP and DepEd in accurate, timely recording of data related to implementation of HGSF and capacity strengthening efforts in support of SBFP (e.g. WFP-supported activities, assessments, activities related to monitoring of implementation, and evidence in relation to school health and nutrition, government policy framework) and consistency of information presented to stakeholders within the Government.
• As part of the advocacy on the benefits of school feeding and with the aim to increase public awareness, initiate and/or support WFP and DepEd in organizing events and activities related to direct delivery and capacity strengthening activities in line with respective strategies/plans agreed between WFP and the Government.
• Provide technical assistance to WFP and DepEd in the evidence generation activities (research, monitoring, evaluative exercises, reviews and lessons learnt), conduct periodic monitoring of the direct implementation and defined capacity strengthening activities. During monitoring activities identify needed adjustments to the programme and actively engage in WFP and DepEd-level discussions on the next steps to make the enhancements.
• Prepare a range of reports and data analysis (in line with WFP-DepEd agreed reporting requirements) and highlight trends/issues ensuring deliverables adhere to corporate standards and quality control. 
• Provide support to WFP and DepEd in the design of funding proposals and specific donor reporting as required.
• Perform other related responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: 
Education: Graduate of Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the field of International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Food Science, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Education, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance. 

Experience:  

• At least six (6) years of experience in project management, coordination and strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation systems for social protection or other related programmes, desired.
• Experience in implementing technical programmes/projects.
• Experience in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of school meals or related nutrition and education programmes.  
• Experience of work with Government organizations is preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:    

• Strong knowledge of programme cycle and project management skills
• Technical knowledge and expertise in nutrition-sensitive programming, food safety, and dietary diversity, with a focus on school meals.
• Ability to work in unpredictable and sensitive situations and familiarity with the UNDSS system an asset.
• Strong partnership, negotiation and advocacy skills.
• Excellent communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills. 
• Familiarity with WFP's school meals programming approaches and best practices is highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.

Languages: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Filipino, other languages commonly spoken in Philippines would be additional asset. 
 

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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

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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.