Programme Associate (Partnerships) SC6, Beirut

Assisting more than 90 million people in 83 countries each year, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.
As the international community has committed to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition by 2030, one in nine people worldwide still do not have enough to eat. Food and food-related assistance lie at the heart of the struggle to break the cycle of hunger and poverty.

In Lebanon, WFP works to support approximately 700,000 people with regular assistance using e-cards. WFP also supports Lebanese schools with school meals, and has run over 300 development activities which include supporting rural infrastructure, as well as education and training opportunities for vulnerable individuals in families. WFP also supports Lebanon’s National Poverty Targeting Programme.  

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT: The post is based in Beirut CO and the incumbent is to report to the Partnerships’ Programme Policy Officer.

JOB PURPOSE: To support activities related to engagement and management of Cooperating Partners (CP) and other strategic partners in order to effectively meet the food assistance needs of beneficiaries.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive): 
Under the supervision of the Programme Policy Officer, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:
1.    Assist in launching a call of proposals for the selection of cooperating partners for the implementation of WFP programmes;
2.    Assist in reviewing the proposals received and the related budgets;
3.    Organize and take the minutes of the review panel (Cooperating Partners Committee); 
4.    Assist in the capacity assessment and risk assessment and mitigation plan of cooperating partners;
5.    Assist in the preparation of the Field Level Agreements (FLA) with the cooperating partners; 
6.    Support functional units in the Programme with advice regarding FLA management, including the corporate system;
7.    Assist in the periodic visits to Cooperating Partners during implementation to better identify and mitigate risks related to the utilization of the Programme funds;
8.    Maintain accurate records and files within the field of work;
9.    Liaise with Field offices and other units to resolve issues or obtain additional information related to the FLA management; 
10.    Assist in the performance evaluation of Cooperating Partners implementing WFP programmes;
11.    Assist in conducting regular meetings and field visits to support and build the capacity of the field offices and the Cooperating Partners in the implementation of WFP programmes;
12.    Perform other related duties as required, including ad-hoc reporting, meeting minutes, and preparation of project documents.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
Education: Completion of secondary school education, focusing on Social Sciences, Development Studies, or other related fields. A University degree or post-secondary certificate in the related functional area is desired.
Experience: Five (5) years of relevant progressively responsible experience including Cooperating Partners management, humanitarian and/or development assistance programmes, or related field.
Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Arabic. Knowledge of French language is added advantage.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE: 
•    Operational experience on Cooperating Partners management is desired.
•    Experience and knowledge of Partnership engagement and risk mitigation measures.
•    Understanding of the theory and application of food security, cash-based assistance programs, or other safety net programs. 
•    Knowledge of major humanitarian, recovery and development challenges and issues at the field level.