International Consultant - SUN Business Network

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

SUN (Scaling up Nutrition) is a global movement that unites Government, UN agencies, Civil Society, donors, business community, academia etc, in an effort to improve nutrition and end malnutrition in all its forms. SUN Business Network (SBN) is one of the SUN movement’s four global networks. At the global level, WFP And GAIN are the co-conveners of SBN, and this would be replicated in Myanmar, with coordination support of other UN agencies. The Ministry of Health & Sports represented by the National Nutrition Centre will remain the regulatory authority with the buying in of other ministries like Ministry of commerce.

The SBN seeks to support the country to engage with businesses within a multi-stakeholder, country-owned approach to scaling up nutrition. It also seeks to instil a corporate social responsibility in the business community, as well as build consensus on key focus areas of the strategy such as fortification, consumer awareness/demand creation, agriculture etc.

The International SBN Consultant will lead, coach and train the National SBN Coordinator in implementing the adapted SBN Myanmar Strategy 2020-2021, that was designed in 2019 by the WFP supported Consultant. Due to the Covid-19 situation the original strategy needs to be continuously adapted to the changing context and circumstances, which means that some flexibility with regards to outputs, deliverables and time-lines in this ToR need to be taken into account. Required changes and adaptations will happen in close collaboration with WFP (Myanmar SBN convener) and LIFT (key local funder).

Specific objectives for 2020-2021 are leading in:

1. Running the SBN Myanmar Secretariat and with advice from the multi-stakeholder SBN Technical Support group and SBN Interim Board in Myanmar rolling out the SUN Business Network Myanmar strategy in 2020 and 2021;
2. Together with the SBN business- and support- (other nutrition stakeholders) members, setting up thematic workstreams and facilitating the implementation of SBN activities of the groups, targeting specific nutrition and business themes (including attracting additional funding);
3. Monitoring and reporting progress of the SBN to WFP Myanmar, to the SUN Focal Point in Myanmar and to other SUN Networks (SUN UN Network and SUN Civil Society Network), to SBN Global and to funders of the SBN Myanmar;
4. Starting early 2021, supporting the development of a (financial) sustainable strategy for the second phase of SBN Myanmar after 2021, ideally aiming at phasing out public interference and at developing an independent, business related organization in Myanmar after 2-3 years.

Under the direct supervision of the head of nutrition and technical support from the Activity 6 manager and overall coordination input from NNC, the consultant will be expected to have

• (technical) experience in working with businesses in improving sustainable food supply chains
• both private sector experience and in working with not for profit organizations and government
• experience in working with policy makers on improving the enabling environment for businesses
• experience on facilitating meetings with businesses and design/develop SBN activities that will contribute to engaging businesses in nutrition
• strong advocacy skills as well as stakeholder engagement and with a strong strategic orientation on provision of implementation support,
• research-based advice and technical assistance for national policies and action plans to the Government and partners.

The consultant’s roles and responsibilities will be divided into 3 main objectives as follows:

Together with the National SBN Coordinator, to roll out the (adapted to Covid-19) SBN Myanmar strategy and grow the Network’s membership base, consulted by the Technical Support Group.

• Run the SBN Secretariat and roll out the SBN Myanmar Strategy (2020-2021) including the launch of the SBN.
• Expand the SBN membership base with company members (particularly Myanmar SMEs) and support members (non-private members), based on the agreed membership criteria.Organize Techinical Support Group (TSG) meetings to consult SBN TSG members together with SBN interim board on strategic directions.
• Together with the WFP communications team, develop and implement SBN communications activities, including sending out newsletters, frequent communication through social media.
• Represent the SBN in food, nutrition and business meetings, to create more awareness on the role of business in fighting malnutrition.

Together with the SBN business and support (other nutrition stakeholders) members, setting up thematic workstream groups/meetings and supporting the groups in the implementation of SBN activities the first two years of the SBN.

• Organize thematic group meetings and nutrition activities, providing/organizing (external expert and national consultancy) support where needed and reporting.
• Organize and develop SBN plenary meetings and multi-stakeholder events.
• Together with WFP team and SBN members and partners, to develop funding proposals and attract funding for expanding SBN nutrition activities.

Together with the National SBN Coordinator, to monitor and report progress of the SBN to the SUN Focal Point and National Nutirtion Center (NNC), the UN organizations in the SUN UN Network, as well as to the SUN Civil Society Network, the Global SBN and the funders of the SBN.

• Working alongside the SUN Reach coordinator, assisting in providing government partners (NNC, Ministry of Commerce, FDA etc.) with ongoing communications and updates from the Private Sector members and the broader SBN to ensure that the platform continuously functions in a way that supports the implementation of the national nutrition plan (MS-NPAN).
• Together with WFP Myanmar, helping to report on SBNs progress and impact to the funder (including financial reports and budgets) and relevant networks, including SUN networks in Myanmar and globally.
• Participate and represent SBN Myanmar in SBN Global network calls and events.

Develop a (financial) sustainable strategy for the second phase of the SBN (beyond 2021).

• Together with WFP (national SBN Convener) develop a strategy for the second phase of the SBN (beyond 2021) with the aim of eventually handing over management of the SBN to an independent and business-related organization, including a sound funding/financial strategy. Together with the WFP Nutrition team, develop funding proposals and attract funding for the second phase of running the SBN organization.

• Implementation SBN (adapted to Covid19) workplan 2020-2021.
• Growing member-base: 15-20 companies by the end of 2021.
• SBN Technical Working Group meetings.
• Sub-group meetings held and reported upon.
• Various SBN activities and events supported / organized.
• External expert days for sharing knowledge and best-practices with the network.
• External local consultancy to investigate new fortification and food safety options.
• IEC material production for promoting nutritious food and healthy eating
• Support provided to funding proposals and funding in place.
• Keeping government partners informed.
• Organized meetings with government partners for the SBN members.
• Financial report, progress reports and M&E reports.
• Communication outputs: bi-annual newsletters, frequent messages on (social) media, and presentations in (international) conferences, meetings and seminars on the SBN and the role that business can play in fighting malnutrition. Contributed to funding proposals
• Participation in national SUN meetings and to global SBN calls and meetings.
• Final Consultancy report

Education: Advanced University Degree in Business, Marketing, Development Economics, and any other relevant field.

Experience:More than 10 years’ work experience with most of the experience being working with private sector, an understanding of the businesses, landscape in Myanmar and solid understanding of the Scaling up nutrition movement, technical and practical experience in helping businesses to set up sustainable and healthy food production and supply,  strong advocacy and stakeholder engagement with emphasis on the government stakeholders. Work experience in Myanmar is desirable and an added advantage.

Knowledge & Skills: Solid understanding of private sector engagement on nutrition, with a broad knowledge of best practices, techniques and processes. Good communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, persuade, influence and adapt communication styles to different situations and individuals.

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 websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.