Ukraine: Programme Associate, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Dec 26, 2023 | World Food Programme
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The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. At WFP, people are at the heart of everything it does, and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves. 

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Position Description

Under direct supervision of Programme Policy Officer (PPO), the Programme Associate will be responsible for the day-to-day liaison with WFP’s partners, ensuring their activities effectively meet operational needs and adhere to WFP’s policies and standards. The Programme Associate will work closely with other WFP teams including the Supply Chain, Finance, Research, Assessment and Monitoring, as well as the Gender and Protection. The Programme Associate will implement due diligence activities, reviewing invoices, budgets and reports from the WFP Key Partners and raise expenditure bills, as well contribute to the capacity strengthening of the partner organizations and their staff. The Programme Associate is expected to demonstrate responsibility and initiative to respond independently to various queries with only general guidance. The Programme Associate will be based in the WFP Kharkiv Satellite Office.

Why WFP?

The war in Ukraine has had drastic consequences, both for people inside the country and for those around the world dependent on its huge grain supplies. It is inflicting untold suffering on civilians, displace families, and disrupt supply chains and food production. It has caused one of the fastest forced population movements since the Second World War. Close to 6 million Ukrainians are still living as refugees across Europe, and almost 5.1 million are internally displaced. Many have lost their homes and livelihoods. As food production and supply lines are disrupted by fighting, many families in the east and south do not have reliable access to nutritious food.

WFP uses a flexible mix of food and cash assistance to support communities affected by the war wherever they are. This includes working with local partners to distribute food rations in areas near the frontline and providing cash transfers wherever people have access to banks and markets to buy food. Since March 2022, WFP has distributed food and cash assistance equivalent to 2.4 billion meals to families displaced and affected by the war, partnering directly with local responders.

  • WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. 
  • WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment.
  • WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of trainings, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
  • A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
  • WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, leave plus a medical insurance.

Make a Difference

  • Follow-up and monitor the implementation of the WFP’s Field Level Agreements, MOUs and agreements with project partners.
  • Contribute to design of new memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between WFP, Government counterparts and other relevant stakeholders.
  • Follow up on the operations and reporting process of the Restoring Livelihoods and Revitalising Communities Through Mine Action project with cooperating partners and supervise the overall partner performance.
  • Support WFP cooperating partners’ invoice-claims and payment processes if required; ensuring timely review, verification and processing of invoices and supporting documents, as well as monthly reports, ensuring compliance with WFP’s financial and programmatic requirements.
  • Act as the focal point for key WFP information management systems required for project  success (including COMET, WINGS). Process, review, verify and enter reports and other data into these information systems.
  • Maintain an up-to date list of contacts of all partners and their focal points.
  • Participate in the monitoring missions of project partners, and report on monitoring findings as well as partners overall compliance with WFP policies and standards, including humanitarian principles.
  • Review, troubleshoot and follow up with partners on all contractual and reporting obligations, including monitoring and evaluations, and advise the PPO on the need to escalate for follow up, where required.
  • Based on capacity assessments identify any other partner performance related issues and report them to PPO in Kharkiv as well as the concerned sections of the Partnership Unit.
  • Provide practical guidance and technical support to WFP partner field staff.
  • Contribute to preparing and designing trainings that enhance project partner organizations’ and their staff’s capacity.

Qualifications

Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary degree in following disciplines: international relations, political/social science, security management, business administration, economics or management is disirable.

Experience: Six (06) or more years of progressively responsible work experience in a relevant field. A post-secondary degree/certificate may compensate for some of the required experience. Relevant working experience in the international humanitarian NGOs, civil service, government, social impact organizations and/or similar corporations is an asset.

Knowledge & Skills: 

  • Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Good organizational and communicational skills  
  • Ability to work with teams remotely

Language: luency (Level C) in English and Ukrainian language is essential.

Standards of behaviour: See original job posting

Different expectations of behaviour are defined depending on grade and role/responsibilities within WFP. Candidates’ alignment with these behaviours is assessed in its selection process.

Before Applying

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share its humanitarian principles. All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

WFP aims to achieve parity in its teams in Ukraine. Qualified women applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

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.

How to Apply

To be considered, apply via WFP’s recruitment portal. CV and cover letter must be submitted in English language.

Only those who are short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next steps of its recruitment process.

WFP also encourages candidates to create a candidate profile and set up WFP job alerts to learn more about all the opportunities available to join WFP and make a difference in the lives of the people it serves.