Programme Assistant
Organizational Context
This position is based in WFP Sri Lanka’s Country Office, supporting a USD 7.5 million program to assist 87,000 people affected by natural disasters. The role operates within a context of increasing disaster frequency and severity, aiming to build community resilience through a multi-faceted approach including cash transfers, anticipatory action, and disaster preparedness.
Job Purpose
The Programme Assistant SC5 will provide specialized support to ensure the effective delivery of assistance under the United States Department of State (US DOS) US Global award in Sri Lanka. This role is critical for implementing interventions that combine conditional cash transfers for irrigation system rehabilitation, anticipatory cash support, pre-positioning of essential non-food items, and strengthened disaster preparedness. The incumbent will support cash transfers, logistics/NFI procurement, coordination, and monitoring, ensuring compliance with Standard Operating Procedures and national disaster management systems. The position contributes to reinforcing WFP’s leadership in disaster coordination and resilience-building efforts in a country highly vulnerable to climate-related shocks.
Responsibilities
The Programme Associate provides crucial support for the effective implementation of WFP's programs, particularly those funded by the US Global Award, focusing on Food Assistance for Assets (FFA), Anticipatory Action (AA), Logistics/Non-Food Items (NFIs), and Humanitarian Data Assessment & Coordination (HDAC). Key responsibilities include ensuring program activities align with WFP policies, donor requirements, and inter-governmental agreements, while offering technical and administrative assistance to field offices and partners. This involves tracking progress, resource utilization, and beneficiary reach to identify and address implementation challenges. The role also supports community-level planning, integrating principles of protection and gender, and facilitates the rehabilitation of infrastructure and pre-positioning of essential supplies to enhance household resilience. Furthermore, the Programme Associate is responsible for accurate data management and timely reporting, compiling program data for operational decision-making and ensuring compliance with data protection standards. Effective coordination with internal WFP units and external stakeholders, including government institutions, NGOs, and UN partners, is essential. The position also involves supporting monitoring missions, ensuring accountability to affected populations, and contributing to emergency preparedness and response efforts by maintaining readiness for rapid deployment and documenting lessons learned for future resilience-building initiatives.
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, and observing or assisting with policy discussions.
Skills
Programme Implementation Support, Data Management & Reporting, Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement, Monitoring & Accountability, Emergency Preparedness & Response, Cash Transfer Programmes, Anticipatory Action Frameworks, Logistics/NFI Processes, Data Protection & Privacy Standards, Community Engagement, Disaster Risk Reduction, Resilience Building, Project Management, Reporting, Monitoring, Coordination, Stakeholder Engagement, Data Analysis, Communication, Problem-Solving, Adaptability, Teamwork, Attention to Detail, Organizational Skills, Analytical Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Cross-cultural Communication, Language Proficiency (English, Sinhala/Tamil)