ABOUT WFP The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the food-aid arm of the United Nations and is committed to fighting hunger worldwide. WFP has been operational in India since 1963; however, the nature of support extended by WFP in India has evolved over a period of time from providing food to a more catalytic role in reducing vulnerability and eliminating food insecurity and malnutrition through technical assistance. WFP focusses on enhancing the systemic efficiency and nutritional effectiveness of the various food-based safety nets in support of the efforts of the Government of India and in partnership with the State governments. The role of the WFP Nutrition and School feeding unit in India is limited to improving the nutritional effectiveness of the food-based safety nets.
Over the past few years, food fortification has been the strategy used by WFP to improve the nutritional effectiveness of the food-based safety nets. WFP has a long and diverse history of food fortification in India. This experience ranges from production and distribution of fortified blended foods to staple food fortification of both wheat flour & rice and point of use fortification of hot cooked meals in the government’s food-based safety nets. However, in the recent past, the focus has been primarily on rice fortification.
WFP through its work has been well able to make the case for integration of fortified rice in the food-based safety nets of the government. Consequently, the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Government of India has formulated the Centrally Sponsored scheme on fortified rice with a budgetary allocation of INR 174 crores currently being rolled out in 15 districts across 15 States. The roll out of the scheme has been followed by an announcement by the Prime Minister of India on the 15th of August, 2021 to mainstream fortified rice in all the food based safety nets throughout the country by 2024.
WFP is a technical partner to DFPD, GoI for this endeavour as well as to the States of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Kerala. As part of technical assistance and to support the Government vision of scale up of fortified rice in the food-based safety nets, WFP plans to position staff in the above mentioned States.
WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.
Job Title: Senior Programme Associate (Food Fortification)
- Grade: Level 7
- Type of Contract: Service Contract
- Duration: 1 Year (with possible renewable)
- Reporting To: Programme Policy Officer (Food Technology)
- Duty Station: Raipur, Chhattisgarh
- Date of Publication: 06 March 2024
- Deadline of Application: 20 March 2024
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This vacancy is open to Indian National only
This vacancy is open to internal and external candidates.
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted
A Written test will be used for Screening Candidates
Only recommended candidates will be retained on roaster for a period of two years and may be considered for similar positions from roaster
The Base Salary for this position is INR 1,12,202/- per month + 8.33% of Base Salary towards Social Security also employee will be covered with medical benefits as per WFP ‘s Plan. All Tax liability for payments from this contract are to be borne by the subscriber.
JOB PURPOSE:
The Senior Programme Associate (Food Fortification) under the direct guidance of the Supervisor mentioned and the overall supervision of the Head of the Nutrition and School feeding Unit and in close collaboration with the staff of the unit will lead WFP efforts on rice fortification in the food based safety nets in the State
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (Not all inclusive)
Fortification of rice in the food-based safety nets
- Provide specialized technical expertise to the State Governments on rice fortification-this will include technological advice, development of well costed project notes, terms of reference etc.
- Provide efficient coordination and specialized project management support in implementation a plan for scale-up of fortified throughout the food based safety net in the given State.
Capacity building:
- Support the organization of workshops and advocacy events on fortified rice.
- Support the relevant line Departments dealing with food-based safety nets in the organization of sensitization events on rice fortification for their staff.
- Develop a systematic plan for capacity building of all rice millers in the State including providing guidance to the rice millers on procurement of blending equipment through on-site visits.
- Support State Food Safety Departments in sensitization of private sector players on rice fortification and work towards increasing the fortified rice kernels production capacity in the States.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
- Develop and implement SOPs and protocols on quality control and quality assurance of fortified rice along the rice supply chain.
- Review QA/QC reports at different levels and accordingly suggest corrective actions.
Social behaviour change communication
- Facilitate the development, dissemination and implementation of advocacy strategy and materials aimed at improving commitment, knowledge and understanding of decision makers, private sector, public sector, general public, people benefiting from food fortification.
Monitoring and evaluation
- Regularly visit rice mills to monitor rice blending operations including storage of fortified rice, QA/QC protocols as well as fair price shops, anganwadi centres and government schools to gauge consumer acceptability.
- Work with government counterparts to support the development of a MIS system on fortified rice at the State level.
- Support the State in conducting baseline and endline of the Centrally sponsored scheme on fortified rice implemented in the State and help in identification of partners for the purpose.
Partnerships and convergence
- Identify, build capacities and establish convergence between local academic & research institutes and the Departments of Food and Public Distribution in the States on fortified rice to enable provision of technical assistance and ensure sustainability, post WFP exit.
- Support DFPD and the State Project Management Units in organizing regular meetings of the technical working group notified on fortified rice
- Work towards inter-departmental coordination by leading and supporting State PMU.
Research and Documentation
- Drive forward efforts to further optimize the pre-mix formulation, equipment or manufacturing process parameters with R&D partners.
- Document achievements, best practices and lessons learnt on rice fortification to enhance learning within WFP and amongst partners at national level.
- Regular follow up with districts and preparation of periodic reports on the status of implementation of fortified rice.
Any other work assigned.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in food sciences, food technology, food engineering, nutrition or related field is desirable. Postgraduate degree in food sciences, food technology, food engineering, nutrition or related field will be an asset.
EXPERIENCE
- A minimum of 7 years progressive work experience of which at least 2-3 years of working closely in the area of food fortification.
- Previous experience of working in partnership with the government/UN agency/INGO is desirable.
- Experience with programme cycle management (design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) of large-scale food fortification programmes with public health objectives.
- Successful track record in networking with government/public sector, private sector, civil society, UN agencies, donors and research institutions.
- Experience in capacity development especially of government counterparts and private sector on aspects related to food fortification/ food safety and quality.
- Evidence based approach, incl. experience with research, academic publications, etc.
- Experience with rice, wheat, oil, milk and salt sectors in India would be an asset.
COMPETENCIES & SKILLS
- Strong technical knowledge of nutrition, including nutrients
- Sound knowledge of the status of food fortification in the country including the vision of the government of India on the same.
- Proven leadership and management skills
- Strong analytical skills, strong interpersonal and organizational skills, with an ability to effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
LANGUAGE
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Ability to communicate in the local language for the State is desirable.
Critical success factors
- Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of actors from government, private sector, and civil society.
- Solid planning and problem-solving skills and action oriented
- Excellent computer skills.
- Ability to work under tight deadlines and simultaneously manage multiple tasks in an autonomous manner.
- Maturity, initiative, courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to handle any other additional tasks as requested by the supervisor.
- Ability to undertake frequent travel.
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