Programme Assistant SC5 (matale)

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace and prosperity. WFP operates in diverse, multicultural environments, emphasizing inclusivity and investing in employee development. The organization is committed to its core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, working with partners to assist millions globally.

Job Purpose

The Programme Assistant (Matale) will support the implementation and coordination of WFP's programs in Sri Lanka, focusing on disaster preparedness and response. This role involves close collaboration with government counterparts and cooperating partners to ensure effective delivery of assistance, which includes cash transfers, pre-positioning of essential items, and strengthening disaster risk financing systems. The assistant will monitor field-level activities, collect and analyze program data, and prepare reports to inform decision-making. Key responsibilities include liaising with stakeholders, suggesting improvements to operational procedures, and providing guidance to field staff. The position aims to enhance WFP's capacity to respond rapidly to emergencies and support community resilience against climate-related shocks.

Responsibilities

The Program Assistant (Field) plays a crucial role in supporting World Food Programme (WFP) operations at the local level. Key responsibilities include fostering close collaboration with government counterparts and actively participating in coordination and planning meetings relevant to WFP's Country Strategic Plan. The role involves providing essential monitoring, implementation, and coordination support for all WFP projects within the field location. This includes verifying the movement and distribution of food and non-food items, resolving on-site issues, and escalating complex problems as needed to ensure adherence to WFP standards. A significant part of the job involves collecting, compiling, and analyzing field-level program data to generate reports that inform decision-making and reviews. The assistant acts as a liaison with cooperating partners, community leaders, and internal counterparts to gather feedback, discuss distribution and capacity-building initiatives, and maintain effective communication. They are also responsible for suggesting improvements to field monitoring processes and operational procedures for enhanced program efficiency. Furthermore, the role entails organizing and participating in meetings with stakeholders on various operational matters, allocating tasks to field staff, providing guidance and training, and delivering standard training to cooperating partners on WFP operational practices. Accurate data recording, acting as a field-level point of contact for operational queries, supporting communication with local partners and institutions, preparing detailed field mission reports, and adhering to emergency preparedness procedures are also vital duties. Finally, the assistant is tasked with ensuring timely sharing of financial data and completion of financial reconciliation by partners to maintain accountability and compliance.

Work Experience

Requires five years of progressive experience, including one year at a lower grade. Must have experience facilitating communication with technical teams, contributing to program implementation, observing or assisting with policy discussions, and engaging in field coordination.

Skills

Field Coordination, Data Analysis, Report Preparation, Stakeholder Communication, Programme Monitoring, Emergency Preparedness, Capacity Building, Operational Support, Financial Reconciliation, Risk Assessment

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