Asistente Senior de Programas – calidad y nutrición

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 work tirelessly to ensure effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people globally. WFP is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization has been recognized for its efforts, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, and continues to invest in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs. WFP's mission is to eradicate hunger and improve nutrition, and it works closely with local governments and communities to achieve sustainable development goals.

Job Overview:
The Asistente Senior de Programas – calidad y nutrición position is crucial for the operational support of the World Food Programme's initiatives in Riohacha, Colombia. The role involves specialized operational support with minimal supervision, ensuring the organized, timely, and accurate execution of assigned activities. The incumbent will lead the implementation of quality management and food safety strategies, providing technical assistance in menu planning, food and nutrition education, and capacity strengthening in food and nutrition within the framework of WFP's projects and programs. This position requires a proactive approach to ensure that the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations are met, and that the programs adhere to established technical, regulatory, and operational guidelines. The Asistente Senior will also play a key role in fostering relationships with local partners and stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of food assistance programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The main duties and responsibilities of the Asistente Senior de Programas include:

• Ensuring proper planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and nutrition strategies and activities within the framework of WFP projects and programs.
• Verifying that menus provided in the program comply with technical guidelines and nutritional standards set by the Ministry of National Education and the Food Learning Unit (UApA).
• Providing training and guidance to food handlers, operators, and stakeholders involved in the School Feeding Program (PAE) on best practices for food handling, food safety, and nutritional adequacy criteria.
• Preparing periodic reports on the execution of programs/projects in terms of nutritional quality, food consumption, findings, and opportunities for improvement, ensuring traceability and compliance with established regulations.
• Supporting the formulation and implementation of quality and safety plans for food programs, ensuring adherence to technical and regulatory guidelines.
• Fostering relationships and collaborating closely with counterparts in key supply chain functions to establish and implement policies and guidelines that ensure, monitor, and verify food safety and quality throughout the WFP supply chain.
• Supervising the implementation of operational systems in the field to prevent and mitigate food losses, including developing specifications and food standards in accordance with national regulations, as well as developing a risk-based system for supplier evaluation.
• Providing specialized advice and supervision in food processing, production, and control, ensuring accurate data collection, accounting, and reporting to strengthen supply chain planning and informed decision-making within WFP.
• Monitoring and evaluating operational processes related to food security through data collection and analysis for informed decision-making. 1
• Supervising infrastructure, equipment, and preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment used in food storage, production, and distribution operations, proposing improvements to ensure compliance with current regulations. 1
• Ensuring the implementation of good manufacturing practices (GMP) and hygiene standards at all stages of the process, ensuring food quality and safety. 1
• Training and strengthening the competencies of personnel in food handling, promoting continuous updates on regulations and best practices. 1
• Providing technical assistance and support to supply chain actors, from procurement to consumption points, ensuring compliance with food quality and safety standards. 1
• Participating in audits and inspections of control entities conducted on the School Feeding Program, ensuring compliance with regulations and facilitating the implementation of improvements. 1
• Coordinating and supporting the management of committees and monitoring spaces for program operations, promoting the participation of key actors in the continuous improvement of service.

Required Qualifications:
The minimum standard qualifications and experience required for this position include:

• Completion of secondary education. A professional degree in areas such as nutrition, food engineering, agronomy, environmental engineering, or related fields is desirable.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in designing and implementing social programs, territorial development, planning, and community participation, particularly in school feeding programs.
• Specific experience of at least three (3) years in projects related to advising, implementing, monitoring, and public contracting of school feeding services.
• Desirable experience working in complex contexts and previous humanitarian response experience.
• Experience in capacity strengthening of community organizations is also desirable.
• Previous experience with UN agencies, funds, and/or programs is a plus.
• Proficiency in office software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and intermediate knowledge of database and spreadsheet management is required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes the completion of secondary education, with a professional degree in relevant fields such as nutrition, food engineering, agronomy, environmental engineering, or similar areas being highly desirable. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of food security and nutrition programs, as well as for effectively engaging with various stakeholders involved in these initiatives.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the Asistente Senior de Programas position includes a minimum of five years of progressive experience in relevant fields, particularly in the design and implementation of social programs and community participation. Specific experience of at least three years in school feeding programs is essential, along with a background in working within complex environments and humanitarian contexts. This experience is critical for ensuring that the incumbent can effectively navigate the challenges associated with food security and nutrition initiatives.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with local stakeholders. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if it enhances communication with diverse communities and partners involved in WFP's programs.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is six (6) months, with the possibility of extension subject to funding and performance. The contractual modality is a Service Contract (SC) at level SC

• This position is based in Riohacha, Colombia, and is part of WFP's commitment to providing an inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment. WFP does not charge any fees during the application process, and all applications must be submitted through the online recruiting system. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks as part of the recruitment process.