Senior Programme Associate - School Kitchen/eating Hall Construction

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is a leading humanitarian organization committed to achieving Zero Hunger by 2030. In Cambodia, WFP's Country Strategic Plan (2024-2028) supports government efforts, focusing on school-based programmes. The School Feeding Programme (SFP) has been crucial since 1999, promoting access to quality primary education, food security, and improved dietary diversity.

Job Purpose

The Senior Programme Associate for School Kitchen/Eating Hall Construction plays a critical role in WFP Cambodia's School Feeding Programme, which is transitioning to government ownership by 2028. This position is essential for ensuring schools are equipped with adequate infrastructure to manage the programme effectively. The primary purpose is to oversee the construction of 100 new school kitchens and/or student eating halls in Home-Grown School Feeding-supported provinces, including remote areas. The role involves ensuring all infrastructure adheres to standard designs and maintaining acceptable quality throughout the construction process. This includes conducting detailed assessments, developing designs, providing technical guidance to schools and contractors, and ensuring quality assurance. The Associate will monitor construction progress from planning to completion, facilitate communication among various stakeholders including government departments and construction companies, and prepare comprehensive reports. Ultimately, this role ensures the successful and timely delivery of vital school feeding infrastructure, contributing to improved educational access and food security for vulnerable children.

Responsibilities

The Senior Programme Associate for School Kitchen/Eating Hall Construction will play a crucial role in the World Food Programme's efforts to enhance school feeding infrastructure in Cambodia. This position involves overseeing the construction of approximately 100 new school kitchens and student eating halls, ensuring they meet WFP's standard designs and quality requirements. Key responsibilities include conducting site assessments, developing technical designs and specifications, and managing the construction process from planning and bidding through to completion and handover. The associate will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), provincial education departments, local authorities, construction companies, and WFP's engineering team. This involves facilitating communication, monitoring progress, ensuring technical compliance of bids, and providing guidance to contractors. The role also requires preparing regular progress reports, documenting challenges and lessons learned, and supporting administrative tasks related to project management. The ultimate goal is to ensure that schools are adequately equipped to manage the school feeding program as WFP gradually hands over its responsibilities to the Cambodian government, contributing to improved access to quality education and better nutrition for students.

Work Experience

Candidates need a minimum of 4 years' relevant experience in Civil engineering and vertical infrastructure design projects. This includes experience with infrastructure construction, collecting and analyzing programme data, reporting, sub-national coordination, and communicating findings. Proficiency in standard computer software, including word processing and spreadsheets, is required, along with experience utilizing monitoring and evaluation systems and standards.

Skills

Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Technical Report Writing, Design Development (drawings, BoQ), Construction Quality Assurance, Bid Analysis (technical & financial), Stakeholder Coordination, Project Monitoring & Reporting, Documentation & Lessons Learned, Project Management, Contractor & Consultant Guidance, Project Handover & Commissioning, Data Analysis (quantitative & qualitative), Computer Proficiency (MS Office), Monitoring & Evaluation Systems, Community Engagement (infrastructure projects), Project Planning Tools (e.g., MS Project), Government Procurement (construction tender), Health & Safety, English Fluency

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