Programme Assistant

Independent since 2002, Timor-Leste – an island nation situated between Indonesia and Australia – is one of the world’s newest countries. It has successfully managed to transition out of conflict and become one of the region’s most stable democracies, with opposing political forces maintaining a peaceful dialogue to resolve differences. Its economy is dependent on oil and gas revenues, but with aspirations to develop agriculture and tourism.

Timor Leste is a young nation. 59 percent of the population is under 25 years of age and women bear children at very early ages: one in four gives birth before turning 20. The right investments in education, employment and the empowerment of women can accelerate development in the course of a generation. Improved nutrition must underpin these efforts.

The Government of Timor-Leste is firmly committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), of which it was a staunch supporter during negotiations. However, serious obstacles to the achievement of SDG 2 on Zero Hunger and improved nutrition remain.

WFP works in close collaboration and coordination with the Government of Timor-Leste, with a view to strengthening its capacities for delivering social safety programmes, and with other partners including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO).

WFP has been present in Timor-Leste since 1999, working in close collaboration with the Government and partners to address poverty, hunger, malnutrition, food insecurity, climate change, and disaster risks. WFP’s current work focuses on strengthening the country’s social sector policies and capacities across food, agriculture, social protection, school feeding, and emergency preparedness and response. Through these efforts, WFP contributes to human capital development and economic growth, ensuring that no one is left behind. As part of its expanding operations in Timor-Leste, WFP is seeking talented and motivated individuals to join its team and contribute to its mission. WFP offers a dynamic work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on food security and nutrition in Timor-Leste. The Programme Assistant within the Timor-Leste Country Office will have the opportunity to support a wide variety of programmes and become familiar with all steps on project management ranging from planning to reporting on implementation. By the end of the assignment, the Programme Assistant will have contributed to key pillars of WFP’s work in Timor-Leste and will have become familiar with WFP’s work

Under the direct supervision of Head of Programme, the UN Volunteer in collaboration with and under guidance by the relevant technical teams will undertake the following tasks:

• Support activity managers in daily tasks and learn about developing social safety net programmes with an emphasis on nutrition-sensitive social protection and home-grown
school feeding
• Contribute to the dialogue with municipal leaders on the importance to rice fortification and the linkage to the government’s school feeding programme.
• Learn and assist with value chain development activities including collaboration with the Secretariat of Cooperatives on connecting farmers to schools
• Contribute to Programme data collection exercises (e.g. market functionality studies and price monitoring)
• Assist with the learning, communications and advocacy strategy to improve relations between WFP and its partners
• Support report writing and project documentation
• Participate in field visits to learn and validate assumption and refine programme implementation plan