Programme Manager- SUN Business Network at United Nations World Food Programme

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.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University degree in Agriculture, business management, marketing, or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written English Language

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN) is among the four Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) networks aimed at supporting countries design and implement high impact nutrition interventions. The SBN is the only dedicated global platform for business and nutrition, with the aim to reduce malnutrition in all its forms – through engaging and supporting business to act, invest and innovate in responsible and sustainable actions and operations to improve nutrition.

The SUN Business Network is co-convened by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and World Food Programme (WFP). In Zambia, WFP is the co-convener of the SBN together with the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC).

Under the operational and direct supervision of the Programme Policy Officer for Nutrition, the Programme Officer for SBN will oversee the technical and operational management of the SBN in Zambia. The post holder will also participate in the design, and evaluation, as well as knowledge management of activities relating to the SBN.

The post holder can supervise the Programme Associate-Business Engagement Specialist, as well as other short-term consultants recruited based on identified needs. He/she also works in close collaboration with the Programme Officer for Nutrition, and Programme Officers for other strategic objectives in Zambia Country Office, as well as support staff.  The post holder represents WFP in technical and operational meetings related SBN.

JOB PURPOSE

To post holder will be responsible for ensuring expertise is applied across the private sector related nutrition programming objectives of WFP and its respective government and private sector partners. The role will be primarily responsible for leading the planning, design and implementation of the major initiatives of the SUN Business SBN Zambia Strategy and carrying the initiatives beyond the life of the strategy.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

The post holder’s primary tasks will relate to the implementation of the SBN Strategy (2018 – 2020) as it relates to current WFP country strategic plan.  This includes:

Maintain the SBN brand and membership

• Provide strategic oversight of SBN activities
• Expand engagement of private sector members who have potential to make high-impact contributions to improving nutrition in Zambia
• Provide strategic recommendations and support to carrying out of regular networking activities, workshops and other events
• Provide leadership and guidance to the SBN Advisory Group

Support the private sector’s in their effort to increase the production and distribution (supply) of nutritious foods

• Facilitate catalytic support to companies across the value chain with potential to contribute to improve nutrition
• Support research driven by the SBN member needs
• Facilitate linkages to relevant training and tools to increase commercial engagement in nutrition

Drive demand for nutritious foods

• Support the SBCC Campaign promoting the consumption of nutritious foods
• Lead the implementation of the Good Food logo to improve consumer food choices

Work closely with government to create an enabling environment for improve nutrition

• Facilitate engagement between government and the private sector to maximize business contributions to nutrition
• Liaise with relevant government stakeholders on a regular basis to ensure that all policy and regulations lead to a positive impact on Zambia’s nutritional status.

Manage SBN team and ensure that all staff are contributing to work plan and overall mission of WFP

• Support the country office in linking programmes and projects to key private sector partners and/stakeholders
• Manage key external partnerships and relationships (both local and international) of the SBN to ensure that they are leveraged to expand the growth of the network
• Provide support for proposal development and donor relations
• Carry out other tasks, as required to support the day-to-day activities of WFPs engagement with

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• At least 4 years’ experience in a project management role with proven results in achieving programme milestones
• At least 2 years’ experience working either directly with a private company or supporting private companies
• At least 2 years’ experience working with and NGO or UN agency in a role that focusses on linking private sector and government within the food or nutrition space
• Practical experience in business strategy and business processes
• Experience in managing and working with a cross functional team
• Gained broader exposure across areas within a function (i.e. policy, programme etc.).
• Has gained experience managing small to mid-size financial budgets, balancing priorities effectively.
• Has experience leading a small to mid-size team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
• Participated in a vendor/government/ partner negotiation within area of focus

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Deadline to receiving application 23rd June 2019.

This position is open to Zambian Nationals Only.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.

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