Programme Assistant SC5 Bishkek

Programme Assistant (SC-5 level)

WFP Kyrgyz Republic

Location: Bishkek

Contract length: 12 months with possible extension, subject to performance and funding availability.

Organisational Context:

The Kyrgyz Republic is a small, landlocked, mountainous country bordered by China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan with a population of just over 6.2 million people, mainly living in rural areas. After it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the economy grew, poverty fell, child mortality declined and life expectancy increased. However, since 2008 there have been a series of economic and political setbacks, and now the pandemic increased the number of poor people in the country, the socio-economic situation being strained by political instability, reduced economic activities, decreased remittances, price spikes and a growing fiscal gap.

WFP’s productive safety net interventions with food for assets (FFA), food for training (FFT) as well as with cash-based transfers (CBT) aim to address the heightened needs and to improve people’s food security and nutrition.

Job purpose:

WFP in the Kyrgyz Republic under Outcome 2 is supporting the Government in addressing food security and nutrition of the vulnerable smallholders through several types of activities and projects:
1) Rural development through FFA/FFT/CBT  2) Rural Women Economic Empowerment (RWEE), 3) Food systems improvement (e.g. post-harvest loss reduction), 4) Launching of mini-processing workshops, 5) Skills, Knowledge and Practice (SKaP) programme for vocational education.

The Programme Assistant is responsible for the provision of technical assistance to programme activities within Outcome 2 and reports to Head of Outcome 2/Programme Policy Officer under the general supervision of the Deputy Country Director.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive):

Under the supervision of the Head of Outcome 2/Programme Policy Officer and in close coordination with other programme assistants, monitoring assistants and the colleagues in support functions (supply chain, finance, and budget), the Programme Assistant will be responsible for the following:

1. Overall support in implementation, analysis and reporting of activity results at output level;

• Assist in implementation of project activities in communication with Field staff, Cooperating partners, national stakeholders, the UN agencies and beneficiaries;
• Assist in organization of regular Project review committee (PRC)/Cooperating partner committee (CPC) meetings, collect protocols and organize follow-up for collection of signatures and submission for further processing to the relevant Unit.
• In liaison with Outcome manager/Programme staff prepare food/cash distribution plans, provide support in processing of food/cash requests through relevant Unit and submission to Supply Chain Unit for further dispatch.
• Assist in preparation of CBT beneficiary payment package, including collecting CBT beneficiary payment lists from the Field staff, consolidating the lists and submitting the payment documents to Finance unit and the Bank.

• Support in organization of field trips and community consultations to collect project proposals for launching of mini-processing workshops to address existing food security and nutrition challenges of vulnerable beneficiaries.
• Assist Outcome manager/Programme Staff in reviewing project applications and launching of new processing workshops, including assistance in collection of price estimates for equipment and preparation of contract/project documentation, technical specifications for tendering.
• Support project coordination with relevant Field staff and local partners (technologists, engineers, local authorities, beneficiaries) to ensure smooth launch of mini-processing workshops, completion of repair works by local partners, obtaining by the beneficiaries of required state permits, delivery of equipment by supplier companies, organization of training for beneficiaries and handover of equipment to beneficiaries.

• Assist in SKAP implementation including processing of payment to SKAP trainers, collection of financial documents.
• Assist in preparation of informational materials, publications, reports and presentations on project activities/results.
• Serve as a back-up for certain functions of the Outcome/Programme staff including focal liaison with M&E Unit/VAM Unit about data collection, various surveys, data entry in MoDA platform, etc.

2. Provision of specialized coordination and administrative support for the effective and efficient procurement of goods and services: 

• Provide operational and administrative support Outcome manager/Programme staff in organization of programmatic events/meetings/workshops within standard processes (preparation of budget, participant lists, letters, inviting participants, arranging payments).
• Review, record and submit purchase requests/requisitions to support the procurement of appropriate goods and services on behalf of the Outcome.
• Prepare and submit payment packages for received goods and services for the Outcome activities.
• Act as a point of contact for resolution of a range of operational queries and problems within a specific technical area of responsibility.
• Assist Outcome manager/Programme staff with technical inputs for the drafting and collection of reports.

3. Support in administration of Field Level Agreements/contracts with cooperating partners/suppliers:

• Provide technical support and assistance to the Outcome manager/Programme staff in the development and implementation of various activities and processes within the specific area of work in alignment with wider programme policies and guidelines.
• Ensure and perform accurate, timely recording of data within the specific technical area of work and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Upon request by the Programme staff assist in communication with local partners, agencies, NGOs and government institutions to perform budget revisions to ensure efficient use of resources.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Previous work experience to provide effective project assistance.

• Work experience in social mobilization, preparing tender/bidding documents, launching mini-processing workshops and capacity strengthening of rural community is an advantage.

• Analytical skills to support quantitative and qualitative data processing for better project implementation.

• Strong teamwork and communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area is desirable.

Computer skills:  Literacy in Office365 applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), incl. collaborative working through Skype/MS Teams.

Language: Fluency in English, Russian and Kyrgyz.

TALENTED FEMALES CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

We look for applicants with the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian values. We commit to promote diversity, gender parity and equality between men and women.

WFP strives to build a work environment that is safe and respectful, and free of sexual harassment and abuse of authority. We believe in open communication, and every individual at WFP is treated with respect regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religious and political beliefs, etc.

In this pursuit, WFP assists women to balance work exigencies with personal and family responsibilities by providing an attractive compensation package, including fully paid maternity leave for 16 weeks, breastfeeding time off, and the possibility to avail of flexible working arrangements. Also, we endeavor to provide our staff, women, and men, with training and professional career development.

Closing date: 20 May 2021

This position is open ONLY to Kyrgyz citizens or those authorized to live and work in the Kyrgyz Republic according to national regulations. Applicants who do not meet this criterion will not be considered for this position.

WFP does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment process.

Only candidates who are short-listed will be contacted.