Programme Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of eradicating hunger and improving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, and it strives to create a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities it serves. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its work in combating hunger and promoting peace. The organization emphasizes the importance of personal and professional development for its employees, offering various training and mentorship programs, as well as opportunities for internal mobility across its global offices.

Job Overview:
The Programme Associate position at WFP is designed to provide specialized support and technical analyses to policy and program activities that effectively meet food assistance needs. The role is crucial in ensuring that WFP's initiatives align with broader program policies and guidelines. The Programme Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub-office in Bolgatanga, Ghana, and will be responsible for managing specific programs, ensuring that activities are executed within established targets and in accordance with WFP’s policies and procedures. This position requires a proactive approach to project management, data analysis, and collaboration with various stakeholders, including local partners and government institutions. The Programme Associate will also play a key role in capacity building for WFP staff and partners, ensuring that the organization can effectively respond to food security challenges in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Associate will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing technical support and assisting in the development and implementation of various activities and processes within the specific area of work, ensuring alignment with wider program policies and guidelines.
• Offering specialized project management support to specific programs, ensuring that activities are performed within established targets and in compliance with WFP’s policies and procedures.
• Preparing a range of reports and conducting data analysis related to food assistance needs, resource utilization, program status, and performance, while highlighting trends and issues to ensure adherence to corporate standards and quality control.
• Ensuring accurate and timely recording of data within the specific technical area of work, such as assistance programs and food security assessments, and maintaining consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Liaising with internal counterparts to support effective collaboration, implementation, and monitoring of ongoing project activities.
• Coordinating with local partners, agencies, NGOs, and government institutions to conduct accurate food security analyses and ensure efficient delivery of food assistance.
• Supporting the capacity building of WFP staff, cooperating partners, and national government within the specific technical area.
• Acting as a point of contact for resolving operational queries and problems within the specific technical area of responsibility, with a strong emphasis on report writing skills.
• Overseeing and reviewing the work of other support staff, providing practical advice and guidance to ensure objectives are met to agreed standards and deadlines. 1
• Following standard emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP can quickly respond and deploy needed resources to affected areas at the onset of a crisis.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of six years of experience in community engagement, humanitarian assistance, development work, or a related field. Experience with feedback mechanisms and complaint response systems is desirable. The role requires strong project management skills, the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams, and a commitment to WFP’s mission and values. Candidates should demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving and possess excellent communication skills to effectively engage with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The minimum academic qualification for this position is the completion of secondary school education, along with a post-secondary certificate in a related functional area. This educational background is essential to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge required to perform the duties of the Programme Associate effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of six years of relevant experience in program activities, particularly in community engagement, humanitarian assistance, or development work. Candidates should have experience working with technical teams, such as nutrition or vulnerability assessment and mapping (VAM), and should have contributed to the implementation of programs. Experience in observing or assisting with policy discussions is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in the UN language in use at the duty station (English) and in the local language (likely Akan or another local dialect) is mandatory. This linguistic proficiency is crucial for effective communication with stakeholders and for the successful execution of the role's responsibilities.

Additional Notes:
The Programme Associate position is a 12-month renewable contract at Service Contract Level

• The role is based in Bolgatanga, Ghana, and is full-time. WFP encourages applications from qualified female candidates and individuals living with disabilities. The organization adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, and discrimination. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background verification and are expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct. The application process does not require any payment, and candidates are advised to report any solicitation for payment to local authorities.