Programme Associate, SC6, Karongi

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

19 March 2026-23:59-GMT+02:00 Central Africa Time (Kigali)

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ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
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WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

Title: Programme Associate
Level: Level 6
Type of Appointment: Service Contract
Duration: 12 Months
Duty Station: Karongi

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT:
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. 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. In Rwanda, WFP works in partnership with the Government and other stakeholders to support national priorities for achieving food and nutrition security. This is done through direct implementation of integrated programmes targeting the most vulnerable people and strengthening national capacity to design, implement and manage programmes for achieving zero hunger.
In Rwanda, WFP supports the Government with its ambitious goals to ensure food security and nutrition and equitable access to sustainable livelihoods for all. In this effort, WFP Rwanda works closely with diverse stakeholders to provide general food and nutrition assistance to over 135,000 refugees, asylum seekers and returnees; to strengthen national disaster risk management, social protection, school meals and nutrition programmes; to transform food systems; and to support emergency preparedness and response.

JOB PURPOSE:
This position will be based in, Karongi Field Office and the job holder will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Field office. At this level, the job holder will be expected to demonstrate responsibility and initiative to respond independently to various queries with only minimal guidance. This position requires an experienced individual with degree of judgement in dealing with unforeseen operational problems daily and is expected to manage resources, coach and coordinate staffs.
Within the delegated authority, Programme Associate will be responsible for providing effective specialized support and technical analyses to policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs and food systems interventions. She/he will oversee overall coordination of the field activities and serve as Officer in Charge during the absence of Head of Field Office.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):
1.Provide technical support and assist in the development and implementation of various activities and processes within the specific area of work supporting alignment with wider programme policies and guidelines.
2.Provide specialized project management support to specific and/or defined programmes to ensure that the various activities are performed within the established targets following WFP’s policies and procedures.
3.Within the specific area of responsibility, prepare a range of reports and data analysis (e.g. food assistance needs, resource utilization, programme status, performance) and highlight trends/issues ensuring deliverables adhere to corporate standards and quality control.
4.Ensure and/or perform accurate, timely recording of data within the specific technical area of work (e.g. assistance programmes, food security and vulnerability assessments) and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
5.Liaise with internal counterparts to support effective collaboration, implementation and monitoring of ongoing project activities.
6.Coordinate and communicate with local partners, agencies, NGOs and government institutions to perform accurate food security analyses and to ensure efficient delivery of food assistance.
7.Support the capacity building of WFP Field office staff, cooperating partners and national government within the specific technical area.
8.Act as a point of contact for resolution of a range of operational queries and problems within a specific technical area of responsibility
9.Oversee and/or review the work of other support staff, providing practical advice and guidance, to contribute to delivering objectives to agreed standards and deadlines.
10.Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP is able to quickly respond and deploy needed resources to affected areas at the onset of the crisis.
11.Serve as Officer in Charge during the absence of Head of Field Office and ensure the smooth development and programmes in place.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND OTHER SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Has a proactive attitude, and ability to plan work and prioritize competing activities and ensure their completion.
• Has worked with technical teams (i.e., programme, nutrition, etc.) to implement development or humanitarian projects or programmes.
• Has experience in liaison with government authorities for programme implementation.
• Has a good understanding or experience in food security, monitoring and evaluation systems and standards and reporting findings to management team, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Has strong interpersonal skills and ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds and to manage external partnerships.
• This position requires an individual with substantial experience in managing emergency operations, refugee operations, livelihood projects and food systems intervention with good communication, and report writing skills.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES:
Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance

Demonstrates ability to identify key variables and contextual factors that affect food assistance problems and programmes throughout the lifecycle to inform quality programme design or re-design.

Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Vouchers)

Demonstrates ability to implement, under guidance, food assistance programmes deploying the full range of transfer modalities with an understanding of basic principles guiding modality selection and implementation

Broad Knowledge of Specialized Areas

Understands basic technical concepts and data and their relevance to food assistance programmes.

Emergency Programming

Displays capacity to provide inputs into the development, implementation and realignment of high quality emergency programmes.

Strategic Policy Engagement w/Government

Understands and applies basic principles of engagement with government counterparts at the national or local level.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Has worked/managed technical teams in the delivery of programmes (i.e., food assistance, livelihood, social protection, and nutrition)
• Has experience working with local communities, participated/assisted with policy discussions, and willing to work/live in remote area.

STANDARD MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:

University degree in rural development, development studies, Agriculture, Nutrition/Health, other social protection, and resilience related field.

Experience:

Has at least six years working experience in managing and coordinating the delivery of humanitarian and livelihood programs, with experience working with partners and extensive skills, monitoring, data analysis and reporting.

Language:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in English. Fluency in Kinyarwanda preferred.

Note: This position is only open to Rwanda Nationals.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.
• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.
• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.