Program Associate – Sustainable Agri-Food Systems

 

Overview
Design and coordinate projects for sustainable agri-food systems

You have:

Those with a university degree in agricultural, environmental, agroindustrial, sustainable development, rural development, or related sciences will be highly valued.
Individuals with an advanced academic background or additional studies in Food and Nutrition Security, social sciences, gender, sustainable development, climate change, or related fields will be highly valued.
Have at least six years of specific experience in the design and management of productive agricultural projects for rural development, food security, and sustainable food systems.
Have experience implementing sustainable, resilient, and nutritious food system projects and models.
Fluency in Spanish (oral and written) or Spanish as a native language.
Intermediate level of English (oral and written) with the ability to prepare reports and technical reports is desirable.
Knowledge and experience in agriculture, agricultural and rural development.
Ability to coordinate and facilitate groups, especially with producers in rural areas.
Type B driver’s license and availability to travel to the countryside at least 20% of the time.

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Details
TERMS OF REFERENCE

Position:

Program Associate – Agri-Food Systems

Sustainable

Contract type:

Service Contract

Level:

L6

Unit

OE 3 Programs

Locality:

Quito, Ecuador

The vacant position is open to Ecuadorian citizens and foreigners with a work permit in Ecuador. Applications can be submitted until March 28, 2024, at 11:59 PM (Ecuador time). All applications will be treated confidentially. We will only contact those shortlisted after reviewing and evaluating their resumes.

The hiring will be subject to availability of funds.

The World Food Programme is committed to equal opportunities and achieving diversity in its workforce in terms of gender, ethnicity, and culture. We value inclusion and encourage women, people belonging to minority groups, and people with disabilities to join our organization.

To improve the accessibility and inclusion of the World Food Programme’s recruitment processes, we encourage individuals who require disability-related accommodations or other accessibility assistance to contact us. Please email your requests to [email protected] . Upon receiving your email, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team will contact you to confidentially discuss your needs and provide support. WFP is committed to providing a recruitment experience that respects and responds to the unique needs of each candidate.

BACKGROUND
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the humanitarian organization that saves and changes lives by providing food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

For its efforts to combat hunger, its contribution to improving peace in conflict-affected areas, and its driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict, WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.

WFP has been present in Ecuador since 1964, as an innovative partner supporting government policies to promote food and nutrition security, gender equality, and food sovereignty, focusing its actions on the most vulnerable populations.

WFP’s Country Strategic Plan 2023-2027 focuses on ensuring access to food before, during, and immediately after emergencies, disasters, and protracted crises; ending malnutrition, especially chronic child malnutrition; achieving food security and advancing sustainable, equitable, and inclusive food systems, while enhancing resilience to the effects of climate change; and providing services that support the operations of government institutions and humanitarian partners (More information at https://es.wfp.org/paises/ecuador).

In detail, Strategic Objective 3 states:

Vulnerable communities, family farmers, and key stakeholders in food value chains in Ecuador benefit from more sustainable, inclusive, and healthy food systems and strengthened resilience to climate change and other year-round shocks and stressors.

Within this framework, it is necessary to form a team of professionals who will contribute to positioning the WFP as a benchmark in Food Systems and Climate Change and as a strategic partner of the national and local governments for the development and strengthening of public policies to benefit vulnerable communities, family farmers, and other relevant stakeholders in Ecuador’s food value chains.

CONTEXT AND ROLE IN THE ORGANIZATION
The Program Associate – Sustainable Agri-Food Systems will be responsible for designing and coordinating projects for the implementation of Sustainable Agri-Food Systems that contribute to the food security of the population in territories and contexts highly sensitive to the effects of climate change and with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

He or she will serve under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer managing WFP’s Strategic Objective 3 and the overall supervision of the Deputy Country Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Contribute to the development of proposals and concept notes for projects to be submitted to bilateral (cooperation between countries), multilateral (GCF, AF, GEF, among others), private, and philanthropic funds.
Manage, implement, monitor, and systematize the Program’s projects and initiatives, in coordination with other WFP units and external counterparts, issuing early warnings and preparing reports, including the complaints and feedback system.
Plan and budget the initiatives required to implement projects so that they have resources, in coordination with their line of supervision.
Maintain adequate archiving and documentation of the methodologies, plans, and reports generated, and manage information repositories for the projects in which you participate, using the corporate SharePoint tool; to contribute to the systematization and management of knowledge, ensuring that key information is organized, documented, disseminated, and available in a timely manner.
Coordinate and provide specialized technical assistance in the development and implementation of processes and activities for the development of Sustainable Agri-Food Systems that promote the resilience of Family Farming producers and communities in territories and contexts highly vulnerable to climate change, including the integrated rice and duck production system.
Coordinate and maintain communication to support capacity building among WFP staff, cooperating partners, and national and local governments to enhance their knowledge and skills in diversifying production systems for resilience and improving the livelihoods of small-scale family farming producers.
Conduct monitoring visits and strengthen the capacities of family and peasant agriculture producers, in coordination with local stakeholders, to establish participatory, community-based, clean (chemical-free) production processes in orchards, crops, farms, and production chains, among others, to achieve climate-smart solutions.
Supervise and/or review the work of other support staff, providing practical advice and guidance to help achieve objectives in accordance with agreed standards and timelines.
Drive the WFP vehicle, if assigned one, to perform their duties, in compliance with established legal and safety regulations.
Perform any other activities required by the office, necessary to achieve WFP’s objectives and mission.
REQUIRED PROFILE
Education
Those with a university degree in agricultural or environmental sciences, agroindustry, sustainable development, rural development, or related fields will be highly valued.
Candidates with advanced academic standing (master’s degree, specialization, etc.) or additional studies in food and nutrition security, social sciences, gender, sustainable development, climate change, or related fields will be highly valued.
Experience
Have at least six years of specific experience in the design and management of productive agricultural projects for rural development, food security, sustainable food systems, family farming, and/or public policies in the rural sector, with a gender and intercultural focus.
Have experience implementing projects (at least two) and models of sustainable, resilient, and nutritious food systems as measures for climate change adaptation or improving agri-food systems in the field, with relationships between local stakeholders and beneficiaries in low- and middle-income countries.
Experience in the United Nations system or international organizations is desirable.
Languages
Fluency in Spanish (oral and written) or Spanish as a native language
Intermediate level of English (oral and written) with the ability to prepare reports and technical reports is desirable.
Knowledge of Kichwa will be positively valued.
Required skills and knowledge
Minimum:

Knowledge and experience in agriculture, agricultural and rural development, family farming, sustainable agri-food systems, or similar.
Familiarity with logical framework-based planning methodology, theory of change, and results-based strategic planning.
Ability to coordinate and facilitate groups, especially with producers in rural areas, to develop, transfer, and implement sustainable and climate-resilient production systems.
Proven ability to promote cooperation and coordination with multiple stakeholders at different levels and contexts.
Desirable:

Knowledge of participatory methodologies for information gathering, participatory design, as well as the application of the “Seasonal Livelihood Consultation (CEMV)” methodology.
Knowledge of the interrelationship between food security, poverty and development, gender and interculturality.
Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, including the ability to build relationships in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
Ability to work independently and with low levels of supervision, as part of a team and under pressure to meet short deadlines.
Type B driver’s license and availability to travel to the countryside at least 20% of the time.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
It establishes common standards of behavior that guide how we should work together to fulfill our mission and contribute to an optimal culture , incorporating WFP values .

Lead by example and with integrity: Incorporate WFP values ​​into your daily life and demonstrate humanity and integrity by exemplifying caring for others.

Demonstrates WFP’s values, principles and standards, and encourages others to do so.

Respect others, value diversity by using respectful and inclusive language, and encourage others to do the same.

He stays focused and calm under pressure, and encourages others to do the same.

Show humility and a willingness to learn and share knowledge, ask for feedback often and act on it, and take advantage of development opportunities.

Generates results and meets commitments : Meets commitments and easily adapts to changes
Generates high-impact results: takes ownership of achieving results and holds others accountable for them.

Delegate appropriately: Produce results based on delegated tasks and seek guidance and assistance when necessary.

Responds quickly to changes and adjusts work as needed.

Promote inclusive and collaborative teamwork : Practice inclusion and collaboration , and contribute to a culture of learning and personal growth.
Promotes inclusive teamwork and psychological safety by sharing ideas and raising issues openly.

Support the development of others by providing constructive and timely feedback.

Listen carefully to others with the goal of capturing, understanding, building, and sharing new perspectives.

Applies strategic thinking : Demonstrates commitment to gathering feedback, analyzing options and risks, and proposing new working methods.
Meets WFP’s vision and is able to explain how its own objectives support that vision.

Show curiosity and propose new working methods when appropriate.

Collect data and share knowledge to guide team decision-making.

Implements decisions and asks questions to understand the potential impact on longer-range goals.

Establishes and maintains sustainable partnerships : Establishes and nurtures external partnerships, and collaborates with partners to achieve common goals
Build partnerships by seeking out collaboration opportunities

Collaborate with partners by sharing information and working together to achieve common goals
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