Details
Mission and objectives
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.
Context
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Tanzania through its Country Strategic Plan (CSP, 2022-2027) is supporting the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to deliver equitable and inclusive economic growth through investments in human capital, resilient livelihoods and nutritious diets. Key priorities in the CSP include providing policy-level advocacy and technical assistance to national systems on school feeding and nutrition towards improving the nutrition situation using a lifecycle approach and contribute to better learning experience.
In line with the CSP objectives, the WFP is seeking to fill six full-time community UNV positions for 6 months in Lindi and Mtwara regions to support the implementation of the Tanzania School Feeding Project. This project is multisectoral bringing together government focal points for school feeding, nutrition, education, agriculture, community development to deliver a comprehensive school health and nutrition package at school level while working with community members, smallholder farmers, maize millers and other stakeholders. The project is implemented in six councils in Lindi and Mtwara regions as specified under duty station section.
In line with the CSP objectives, the WFP is seeking to fill six full-time community UNV positions for 6 months in Lindi and Mtwara regions to support the implementation of the Tanzania School Feeding Project. This project is multisectoral bringing together government focal points for school feeding, nutrition, education, agriculture, community development to deliver a comprehensive school health and nutrition package at school level while working with community members, smallholder farmers, maize millers and other stakeholders. The project is implemented in six councils in Lindi and Mtwara regions as specified under duty station section.
Task description
The UNVs will be under the direct supervision of the Head of the WFP Mtwara Field Office and overall supervision of the Head of Nutrition, HIV and School-Based Programmes.
The UNV will perform the following duties:
School Feeding and Nutrition: Support project implementation in the following areas:
1. School Feeding Governance and Accountability
• Support project activities to establish and enhance the functionality and capacity of School Feeding Committees in line with national guidelines.
• Support, participate, and follow up to ensure regular engagement between School Feeding Committees, school management, parents, and local authorities.
• Support school and community meetings, record discussions, follow up on agreed actions, and support community participation in school feeding activities under supervision.
2. Nutrition and Social and Behaviour Change
• Support and follow up with schools in the implementation of nutrition sensitive school feeding activities.
• Participate in Social and Behavior Change (SBC) activities and support schools and communities to implement SBC activities including promoting healthy diets, nutrition, and good feeding practices.
3. Community and Parental Engagement
• Support and document parental and community contributions to school feeding (cash, food, labor, firewood, water, school gardens etc.)
• Support community participation and parental engagement activities to encourage local ownership of school feeding activities.
Cash-Based Transfers (CBT) to schools
• Support in collecting and reviewing documentation for creating of vendors in WFP’s corporate system.
• Follow up with the schools’ leadership to ensure that budget code(s) for WFP/Tanzania School Feeding Project is/are operational during the school year.
• Support the review of the project distribution plans and funds request letters from the respective Local Government Authorities (LGAs).
• Together with the WFP Monitoring Assistant follow up with the schools to ensure that procurement of eggs and vegetables are done through the National e-Procurement System of Tanzania (NeST) and in line with agreed protocols as articulated in the CBT Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Support schools in maintaining basic CBT records and submitting routine information under supervision.
• Support schools and LGAs in compiling and submitting basic monthly information and reports.
• Support the Monitoring Assistant by collecting and submitting field information using agreed templates and tools.
Agriculture
• Support follow-up and monitoring of school gardens under the supervision of the Smallholder Farmer Unit.
• Support documentation of observations, challenges, and progress related to school gardens and agricultural activities.
• Participate in agricultural awareness and field activities at local level under supervision of technical staff.
• Support collection and reporting of agricultural-related data including environmental protection and climate change from schools and respective LGAs.
• Work closely with Mtwara Field Office and Smallholder Farmer Unit in overseeing delivery and tracking of agricultural inputs and communication materials distribution to schools and demo plot sites.
Food Safety and Quality
• Support food safety and hygiene practices and activities in schools including good hygiene practices in food preparation and good storage practices in kitchens and food stores.
• Monitor conditions during site visits regarding cleanliness of kitchens and storage areas; safe food handling and preparation practices; and storage conditions for food commodities.
• Support awareness activities on safe food handling and good food hygiene practices in schools under guidance of technical staff.
• Support sensitization and awareness activities including promotion of consumption of fortified foods and reinforcing safe food handling practices among food handlers and beneficiaries.
• Support to identify and report food safety risks in school feeding environments; hygiene and storage gaps; and issues related to fortification compliance or product quality.
• Support field visits, observe practices, take notes, and report issues related to food safety and hygiene to technical staff.
Community Feedback Mechanism
• Support visibility efforts to raise awareness of Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM) among the targeted communities.
• Work with the CFM focal person to provide timely responses to cases that are escalated to the team.
Monitoring
Support to data collection, quality assurance, reporting, and learning.
1. Routine data collection and reporting
• Collect timely and accurate data on school feeding, nutrition, and agriculture interventions using simple tools provided by WFP, verify basic records at school level, and submit information to the Monitoring Assistant for review
• Assist schools and LGAs in compiling weekly and monthly reports.
2. Data quality and verification
• Under the guidance of the WFP Monitoring Assistant, conduct regular data verification and validation exercises at school level, including cross-checking of records (e.g., distribution, attendance, procurement, and garden activities).
• Identify and report inconsistencies, gaps, or anomalies in data for corrective action.
3. Monitoring activities
• Participate in field monitoring visits to assess progress against planned activities, including school feeding implementation, CBT processes, and school garden performance.
• Document findings, best practices, and challenges observed during monitoring visits.
4. Use of digital systems and tools
• Under the guidance of the WFP Monitoring Assistant, support routine data collection and submission using simple tools and templates.
• Promote the use of digital tools for real-time tracking and reporting at school and LGA levels.
• Maintain and update a school feeding and parental contribution dashboard for decision making and accountability
5. Performance tracking and indicator monitoring
• Support collection of routine information related to school participation, agriculture activities, and trainings using agreed tools.
• Submit collected information and reports to the Monitoring Assistant for review and consolidation.
6. Learning
• Participate and contribute to periodic reviews and learning events to improve programme implementation, as relevant.
7. Capacity strengthening at local level
• Support to provide basic guidance to school committees and local stakeholders on data collection tools, reporting requirements, and record-keeping practices.
• Encourage proper record keeping and timely submission of information at school and community level.
Gender
• Document gender roles and responsibilities, barriers and capacities of women, men, schoolboys, and schoolgirls to respond to crises and vulnerabilities that exist among women and men in regard to gender-responsive school feeding, nutrition, education and associated services.
• Document factors and dominant norms that affect women, men, schoolboys, and schoolgirls with regards to use and equitable access to gender-responsive school feeding, nutrition, education and associated services for primary and secondary schoolgirls and boys.
• Identify and document the enabling factors, positive social norms, and institutional practices that promote equitable access and use of gender-responsive school feeding, nutrition, education, and related services.
Crosscutting: Project Coordination, Oversight, Government Engagement, Reporting
Project Coordination
• Support coordination of School Feeding Project activities at district and community levels.
• Support to strengthen collaboration between schools, communities, LGAs, and project teams.
• Assist in monthly planning and implementation follow up with relevant LGA officials such as District Education Officers.
Oversight and Monitoring
• Identify implementation issues, inform the project team, and support schools to undertake corrective actions, together with relevant LGA officials.
Government and Partner Engagement
• Participate in monthly district reflection meetings with relevant LGAs officials such as those from Coordination, Education, Nutrition, Agriculture, Community Development departments.
• Support organization of quarterly district reflection meetings with ward, village, and school representatives.
• Participate in relevant council level coordination forums such as Nutrition Steering Committee and Compact Coordination meetings.
• Support to strengthen government ownership and alignment.
• Support to identify potential private sector partners to be engaged in the project.
• Support preparation and submission of simple field reports, observations, and activity updates.
• Support to document success stories, implementation progress, challenges, lessons learned, and innovations from the field.
• Perform any other tasks as required by the supervisor and activity manager.
The UNV will perform the following duties:
School Feeding and Nutrition: Support project implementation in the following areas:
1. School Feeding Governance and Accountability
• Support project activities to establish and enhance the functionality and capacity of School Feeding Committees in line with national guidelines.
• Support, participate, and follow up to ensure regular engagement between School Feeding Committees, school management, parents, and local authorities.
• Support school and community meetings, record discussions, follow up on agreed actions, and support community participation in school feeding activities under supervision.
2. Nutrition and Social and Behaviour Change
• Support and follow up with schools in the implementation of nutrition sensitive school feeding activities.
• Participate in Social and Behavior Change (SBC) activities and support schools and communities to implement SBC activities including promoting healthy diets, nutrition, and good feeding practices.
3. Community and Parental Engagement
• Support and document parental and community contributions to school feeding (cash, food, labor, firewood, water, school gardens etc.)
• Support community participation and parental engagement activities to encourage local ownership of school feeding activities.
Cash-Based Transfers (CBT) to schools
• Support in collecting and reviewing documentation for creating of vendors in WFP’s corporate system.
• Follow up with the schools’ leadership to ensure that budget code(s) for WFP/Tanzania School Feeding Project is/are operational during the school year.
• Support the review of the project distribution plans and funds request letters from the respective Local Government Authorities (LGAs).
• Together with the WFP Monitoring Assistant follow up with the schools to ensure that procurement of eggs and vegetables are done through the National e-Procurement System of Tanzania (NeST) and in line with agreed protocols as articulated in the CBT Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Support schools in maintaining basic CBT records and submitting routine information under supervision.
• Support schools and LGAs in compiling and submitting basic monthly information and reports.
• Support the Monitoring Assistant by collecting and submitting field information using agreed templates and tools.
Agriculture
• Support follow-up and monitoring of school gardens under the supervision of the Smallholder Farmer Unit.
• Support documentation of observations, challenges, and progress related to school gardens and agricultural activities.
• Participate in agricultural awareness and field activities at local level under supervision of technical staff.
• Support collection and reporting of agricultural-related data including environmental protection and climate change from schools and respective LGAs.
• Work closely with Mtwara Field Office and Smallholder Farmer Unit in overseeing delivery and tracking of agricultural inputs and communication materials distribution to schools and demo plot sites.
Food Safety and Quality
• Support food safety and hygiene practices and activities in schools including good hygiene practices in food preparation and good storage practices in kitchens and food stores.
• Monitor conditions during site visits regarding cleanliness of kitchens and storage areas; safe food handling and preparation practices; and storage conditions for food commodities.
• Support awareness activities on safe food handling and good food hygiene practices in schools under guidance of technical staff.
• Support sensitization and awareness activities including promotion of consumption of fortified foods and reinforcing safe food handling practices among food handlers and beneficiaries.
• Support to identify and report food safety risks in school feeding environments; hygiene and storage gaps; and issues related to fortification compliance or product quality.
• Support field visits, observe practices, take notes, and report issues related to food safety and hygiene to technical staff.
Community Feedback Mechanism
• Support visibility efforts to raise awareness of Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM) among the targeted communities.
• Work with the CFM focal person to provide timely responses to cases that are escalated to the team.
Monitoring
Support to data collection, quality assurance, reporting, and learning.
1. Routine data collection and reporting
• Collect timely and accurate data on school feeding, nutrition, and agriculture interventions using simple tools provided by WFP, verify basic records at school level, and submit information to the Monitoring Assistant for review
• Assist schools and LGAs in compiling weekly and monthly reports.
2. Data quality and verification
• Under the guidance of the WFP Monitoring Assistant, conduct regular data verification and validation exercises at school level, including cross-checking of records (e.g., distribution, attendance, procurement, and garden activities).
• Identify and report inconsistencies, gaps, or anomalies in data for corrective action.
3. Monitoring activities
• Participate in field monitoring visits to assess progress against planned activities, including school feeding implementation, CBT processes, and school garden performance.
• Document findings, best practices, and challenges observed during monitoring visits.
4. Use of digital systems and tools
• Under the guidance of the WFP Monitoring Assistant, support routine data collection and submission using simple tools and templates.
• Promote the use of digital tools for real-time tracking and reporting at school and LGA levels.
• Maintain and update a school feeding and parental contribution dashboard for decision making and accountability
5. Performance tracking and indicator monitoring
• Support collection of routine information related to school participation, agriculture activities, and trainings using agreed tools.
• Submit collected information and reports to the Monitoring Assistant for review and consolidation.
6. Learning
• Participate and contribute to periodic reviews and learning events to improve programme implementation, as relevant.
7. Capacity strengthening at local level
• Support to provide basic guidance to school committees and local stakeholders on data collection tools, reporting requirements, and record-keeping practices.
• Encourage proper record keeping and timely submission of information at school and community level.
Gender
• Document gender roles and responsibilities, barriers and capacities of women, men, schoolboys, and schoolgirls to respond to crises and vulnerabilities that exist among women and men in regard to gender-responsive school feeding, nutrition, education and associated services.
• Document factors and dominant norms that affect women, men, schoolboys, and schoolgirls with regards to use and equitable access to gender-responsive school feeding, nutrition, education and associated services for primary and secondary schoolgirls and boys.
• Identify and document the enabling factors, positive social norms, and institutional practices that promote equitable access and use of gender-responsive school feeding, nutrition, education, and related services.
Crosscutting: Project Coordination, Oversight, Government Engagement, Reporting
Project Coordination
• Support coordination of School Feeding Project activities at district and community levels.
• Support to strengthen collaboration between schools, communities, LGAs, and project teams.
• Assist in monthly planning and implementation follow up with relevant LGA officials such as District Education Officers.
Oversight and Monitoring
• Identify implementation issues, inform the project team, and support schools to undertake corrective actions, together with relevant LGA officials.
Government and Partner Engagement
• Participate in monthly district reflection meetings with relevant LGAs officials such as those from Coordination, Education, Nutrition, Agriculture, Community Development departments.
• Support organization of quarterly district reflection meetings with ward, village, and school representatives.
• Participate in relevant council level coordination forums such as Nutrition Steering Committee and Compact Coordination meetings.
• Support to strengthen government ownership and alignment.
• Support to identify potential private sector partners to be engaged in the project.
• Support preparation and submission of simple field reports, observations, and activity updates.
• Support to document success stories, implementation progress, challenges, lessons learned, and innovations from the field.
• Perform any other tasks as required by the supervisor and activity manager.
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