Programme Associate – Smallholder Agricultural Market Support (SAMS)

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 alleviating hunger and improving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. WFP is recognized for its efforts in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and resilience in food systems, and it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts in combating hunger and fostering peace. WFP values diversity and inclusion, encouraging individuals from various backgrounds to apply for positions within the organization. The organization is committed to creating a work environment that is inclusive and supportive of all employees, regardless of their race, gender, or background.

Job Overview:
The Programme Associate (SC6) will play a crucial role in the implementation, coordination, monitoring, and reporting of Smallholder Agriculture Market Support (SAMS) activities. This position is vital for ensuring the effective delivery of interventions aimed at strengthening farmer organizations, improving market access, reducing post-harvest losses, and promoting inclusive and climate-resilient agricultural livelihoods. The Programme Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Head of SAMS and will be responsible for operational support, stakeholder engagement, performance monitoring, and capacity strengthening of cooperating partners and farmer organizations. The role is designed to contribute to the achievement of WFP's strategic objectives in South Sudan, particularly in enhancing food systems resilience and supporting smallholder farmers. The Programme Associate will also be involved in promoting sustainable livelihoods through market-oriented agriculture and private sector engagement, ensuring that the interventions align with WFP's mission and values.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will undertake a variety of functions, including but not limited to:

• Programme Implementation and Coordination: Support the planning and execution of SAMS activities in accordance with approved workplans and budgets. Coordinate interventions with field offices, cooperating partners, government institutions, and private sector actors. Monitor implementation progress, identify operational challenges, and recommend corrective actions. Prepare annual workplans, implementation schedules, and activity tracking tools. Facilitate the implementation of standardized operational procedures and technical guidance.
• Farmer Organizations and Market Linkages: Strengthen farmer organizations (producer groups and cooperatives) and aggregation structures. Facilitate structured market linkages between smallholder farmers and buyers, including institutional procurement opportunities. Engage with traders, financial service providers, processors, and other market actors to enhance market competitiveness and reduce post-harvest losses.
• Monitoring, Reporting, and Knowledge Management: Collect, compile, analyze, and report programme performance data. Conduct field monitoring visits and post-distribution monitoring activities. Maintain programme databases and tracking systems. Assist in preparing donor reports, situation reports, success stories, fact sheets, and programme updates. Document lessons learned and best practices for knowledge sharing and programme improvement.
• Capacity Strengthening: Provide training and mentoring to field staff, cooperating partners, and farmer organizations. Organize workshops, learning events, field missions, and technical reviews. Offer technical guidance on the use of SAMS tools, templates, and reporting requirements.
• Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain regular communication with government counterparts, NGOs, private sector actors, and development partners. Support coordination meetings and stakeholder consultations. Prepare briefing materials, meeting notes, presentations, and follow-up actions.
• Resource Management and Administrative Support: Assist in budget monitoring and expenditure tracking. Support procurement planning and operational coordination for SAMS activities. Contribute to proposal development, concept notes, and resource mobilization initiatives. Ensure compliance with documentation and operational requirements.
• Cross-Cutting Priorities: Promote the integration of gender, youth, disability inclusion, and accountability to affected populations in all programme activities. Ensure environmental and social safeguard compliance and incorporate conflict sensitivity and protection considerations into implementation.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications: Completion of secondary education is mandatory. A post-secondary certificate, diploma, or university degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Economics, Rural Development, Value Chain Development, or related disciplines is highly desirable. Candidates should possess strong programme management and coordination skills, along with analytical and reporting abilities. Experience in data management and monitoring systems is essential, as well as knowledge of agricultural value chains and market development approaches. The ability to work effectively with government and partner organizations is crucial, along with strong communication and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, is required. Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications and digital technologies relevant to programme management, data analysis, knowledge management, monitoring, and reporting is advantageous. Knowledge of South Sudan's agricultural and food systems context is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed secondary education as a minimum requirement. A post-secondary certificate, diploma, or university degree in relevant fields such as Agriculture, Agribusiness, Economics, Rural Development, or Value Chain Development is highly desirable. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of agricultural development and market systems.

Experience:
A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in agricultural development programmes, livelihoods and resilience programming, market systems development, and farmer organization strengthening is required. Experience in programme implementation and monitoring, as well as community-based development initiatives, is essential. Stakeholder engagement and coordination experience are critical, and familiarity with the South Sudan context or similar humanitarian-development environments is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency (Level C) in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but English is the primary language of communication within the organization and for reporting purposes.

Additional Notes:
The position is a Service Contract level 6 (SC-6) with a duration of 12 months, renewable subject to performance and funding availability. The recruitment process will also serve as a roster for the same or lower grade level, different contract modalities, and possible placements in different duty stations, depending on future operational needs. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. The World Food Programme is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. All applications must be submitted exclusively through the online recruiting system, and no fees are charged for application processing. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure a safe and inclusive work environment.