Programme Associate - Coordination of Agreements and Management of Operational Partnerships

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance as a means to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates globally, with a mission to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people in need. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. WFP has a diverse workforce and is recognized for its inclusive work environment, which is reflected in its values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts worldwide. The organization invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, providing opportunities for career advancement across its global offices.

Job Overview:
The Programme Associate position is located in the Abeche Area Office, where the job holder will report to a Programme Policy Officer or the Head of Field Office. This role requires a proactive approach to managing operational partnerships and providing specialized support and technical analyses to policy and program activities that address food assistance needs. The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating agreements and managing operational partnerships, ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), and facilitating effective communication and collaboration among various stakeholders. The role involves significant interaction with cooperating partners (CPs) and requires the ability to manage resources, coach support staff, and respond independently to operational challenges. The Programme Associate will also play a key role in monitoring the implementation progress of activities and addressing any challenges that arise, thereby contributing to the overall effectiveness of WFP's humanitarian efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Programme Associate include:

• Management of operational partnerships, ensuring effective coordination of agreements and serving as the CPM Team Lead in the absence of the latter.
• Convening Technical Review Committees and Cooperating Partner Committees, ensuring that files presented are compliant with SOPs.
• Arranging monthly coordination meetings with CPs to monitor implementation progress and discuss challenges.
• Onboarding new CPs by coordinating training sessions on PSEA, Anti-Fraud, Anti-Corruption, invoicing, and technical aspects of projects.
• Planning and coordinating CP performance evaluations, including mid-year and end-of-year evaluations for multi-year FLAs, and developing improvement plans for weak evaluations.
• Following up on improvement plans and documenting all actions taken.
• Coordinating CP training in collaboration with CO CPM colleagues and contributing to the overall CP training plan.
• Acting as the focal point for capacity assessments, maintaining the assessment calendar, and coordinating assessments for new partners.
• Supporting field offices in budget reviews at the TRC and contributing to cost efficiency through context-based analysis. 1
• Providing training to colleagues and CPs on CPM processes and ensuring compliance with SOPs and corporate guidance. 1
• Performing any other duties as required to support the organization's objectives.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Programme Associate position should possess a minimum of 6 years of experience in a relevant program area. Experience in managing and/or developing agreements or contracts is essential, along with a background in financial and budget monitoring and analysis. Candidates should have experience working in NGOs or the United Nations, with a preference for those who have experience in team management, training, and support. Additionally, experience in coordinating across multiple offices or teams is required, as well as familiarity with working in a multicultural environment. Candidates should have a history of working with technical teams and contributing to the implementation of programs, as well as having observed or assisted with policy discussions.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed secondary school education, with a post-secondary certificate in sociology, programs, or project management being desirable. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of program management and operational partnerships.

Experience:
A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience is required for this position. This experience should encompass program management, agreement development, financial monitoring, and working within the humanitarian sector, particularly in NGOs or UN agencies. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of managing projects, coordinating teams, and engaging with diverse stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication in the region. Additionally, intermediate knowledge of English (B1 level) is desirable, as it will facilitate communication with international colleagues and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Abeche, Chad, and is expected to be a full-time role. The World Food Programme is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization does not charge any fees for applications or recruitment processes, and all applications must be submitted through the online recruiting system. Candidates are encouraged to ensure their Workday profiles are complete and accurate before applying. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stages of the recruitment process.