Founded in 1961 and assisting 80 million people in around 80 countries each year, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.
WFP’s efforts focus on emergency assistance, relief and rehabilitation, development aid and special operations. Two-thirds of its work is in conflict-affected countries where people are three times more likely to be undernourished than those living in countries without conflict.
In emergencies, WFP is often first on the scene, providing food assistance to the victims of war, civil conflict, drought, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, crop failures and natural disasters. When the emergency subsides, WFP helps communities rebuild shattered lives and livelihoods. WFP also works to strengthen the resilience of people and communities affected by protracted crises by applying a development lens in its humanitarian response.
WFP is the largest humanitarian organisation implementing school feeding programmes worldwide and has been doing so for over 50 years. Each year, WFP provides school meals to between 20 and 25 million children across 63 countries, often in the hardest-to-reach areas.
Job Description
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 individuals who are committed to the mission of alleviating hunger and improving nutrition. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and communities. WFP has been recognized globally for its efforts, including being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202
The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce, encouraging individuals from various backgrounds to apply for positions within the organization. WFP also invests in the professional development of its employees through training, mentorship, and opportunities for internal mobility, fostering a culture of growth and learning.
Job Overview: The Programme Assistant (District Community Facilitator) position is crucial for the effective implementation of WFP's programs at the district level. The role involves working closely with government counterparts and internal teams to ensure that food and non-food items are distributed according to WFP standards. The Programme Assistant will be stationed at the District Education Sport Bureau (DESB) and the District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO), where they will support planning and execution of program activities. This position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and collaboration, as the Programme Assistant will collect and analyze data related to assistance programs, prepare reports, and facilitate communication between various stakeholders. The role also includes training cooperating partners on WFP operational practices and monitoring tools, ensuring that they can effectively contribute to program implementation and visibility in the community. The Programme Assistant will play a key role in enhancing the efficiency of operations and ensuring that the needs of the community are met through effective food assistance programs.
Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Assistant include, but are not limited to: verifying planned movements and distributions of food or non-food items, resolving routine issues, and escalating matters as necessary to ensure compliance with WFP standards; supporting the planning of program implementation activities at the district level in collaboration with relevant government counterparts; exchanging information with internal counterparts to facilitate effective collaboration and monitoring of ongoing project activities; collecting and summarizing data related to assistance programs, conducting analyses, and preparing reports to support program reviews; liaising with cooperating partners and internal counterparts to gather feedback and improve services; suggesting improvements to field monitoring processes; arranging regular meetings with community leaders and partners regarding distribution arrangements and food entitlements; allocating tasks to other staff and providing guidance and training; conducting standard training sessions for cooperating partners on WFP operational practices; preparing field mission reports; following emergency response processes for food assistance; and performing other duties as required.
Required Qualifications: Candidates must possess a completion of secondary school education, with a post-secondary certificate or degree in related fields such as Agriculture, Education, Community Development, Rural Development, or Environment being desirable. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Lao, as effective communication is essential for this role. The ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders is also critical, as is the capacity to adapt to challenging environments and situations.
Educational Background: The educational background required for this position includes a minimum of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate or degree in relevant functional areas such as Agriculture, Education, Community Development, Rural Development, or Environment is highly desirable. This educational foundation will equip candidates with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support WFP's programs and initiatives at the district level.
Experience: Candidates are expected to have at least five (5) years of relevant working experience in sectors such as community development, agriculture support, rural development, or school feeding programs. Experience working with technical teams and contributing to program implementation is preferable. This level of experience will ensure that the Programme Assistant can effectively navigate the complexities of program delivery and stakeholder engagement in the district.
Languages: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Lao is mandatory for this position. Additionally, the ability to speak ethnic group languages is considered an asset, as it can enhance communication and rapport with local communities and stakeholders. Strong communication skills are essential for effective collaboration and program implementation.
Additional Notes: This position is a Service Contract specifically for Lao Nationals, with a duration of one year and the possibility of extension. The role is based in Thateng District, Sekong Province, and requires the ability to travel to project areas by motorbike, necessitating a valid driving license. The position is full-time and involves working closely with various stakeholders, including government partners and community leaders, to ensure the successful implementation of WFP's programs. WFP offers an attractive compensation package and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment.
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