Senior Programme Associate - School Kitchen/Eating hall Construction

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ABOUT WFP

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.

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WHY JOIN WFP? 

• 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 training, 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 the 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.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

This vacancy announcement is for Nationals from Cambodia Only.

Position Title:   Senior Programme Associate - School Kitchen/Eating hall Construction

Grade:                SC - 7

Contract Type:  WFP Service Contract

Duration:            As soon as possible to Dec 2026 (There is no expectation of contract extension upon completion of the project tasks)

Duty Station:     Country Office (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

Supervisor:       This position falls under the overall supervision of the Head of School Feeding,  directly reporting to the Programme Policy Officer (Operations) based in the Phnom Penh Country Office.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

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. WFP’s mission is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger by 2030 as per the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2. It works to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

The current WFP Country Strategic Plan (2024-2028) in Cambodia aims to complement and contribute to the Royal Government of Cambodia’s (RGC) efforts to achieve zero hunger through supporting school- based programmes, strengthening resilient local food systems, enhancing government capacities on emergency preparedness and response and enhancing food security, nutrition and social protection governance. WFP supported school feeding programme (SFP) has been critical in supporting the RGC efforts to ensure universal access to quality primary education and promote increased enrolment, retention, and graduation since 1999. The SFP is widely acknowledged as an effective social assistance tool in promoting access to education, food security, and improved dietary diversity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT:

Under the School Feeding activity of the CSP, WFP is handing over the school feeding programme to the MoEYS gradually until 2028. WFP is committed to handing over schools that are fully prepared to manage the school feeding programme, which includes having adequate infrastructure. WFP works with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), Provincial Departments of Education, Youth and Sport (PDoEYS), local authorities and other stakeholders to construct and maintain school feeding infrastructure in schools where school meals are provided. WFP in the process of constructing 100 new school kitchens and/or student eating hall in Home-Grown School Feeding-supported provinces, partnering with MoEYS, PDoEYS and local authorities. This includes construction sites in remote schools.

The position will report directly to the School Feeding Programme Policy Officer (Operations) and work closely with the HQ engineering team, Construction company, MoEYS Construction Department for school feeding infrastructure, including school kitchens and/or eating halls. The main responsibility is to ensure that the infrastructure is adapted to the standard design, oversee the construction process, and ensure acceptable quality.

SPECIFIC POST REQUIREMENTS:

• Conduct detailed assessments and prepare technical reports.
• Develop design, including drawings, scope of works, technical specifications, BoQ, etc.
• In collaboration with the Construction Department at MoEYS and Engneer at WFP HQ, assist schools in implementing kitchen construction in the assigned geographical areas and guide schools to ensure quality assurance of the construction work throughout the construction process in line with programme guidelines, procedures, and tools.
• Contribute to the technical and financial analysis of partner bids and ensure technical compliance as specified in the tender documents.
• Work with relevant stakeholders at the sub-national level, mainly WFP Area Offices, district and provincial Offices of Education, Youth and Sport in the planning and implementation of activities related to school kitchen infrastructure and student eating halls.
• Facilitate the communication between construction company, schools, districts, and provincial Offices of Education, Youth, and Sport with MoEYS’s construction department on overall school kitchen and student eating hall construction processes.
• Monitor school kitchen and/or student eating hall construction processes from planning, training, bidding, contracting, constructing, and payment until completion stages in line with WFP monitoring systems and tools to provide timely troubleshooting and advice related to monitoring findings to improve the construction process.
• Provide weekly progress updates on the construction of school kitchens and/or eating halls, and prepare relevant reports (e.g., field trip, monthly, quarterly progress reports) and financial clearance from partners, consolidate and take further action as needed.
• Document issues, challenges and lessons learned including best practices of the infrastructure process at the school level and share with the Area/Country Office to help inform learning and WFP / national strategic direction.
• Undertake administrative tasks as required and provide project management services for the projects where and when requested.
• Provide guidance and direction to contractors and design consultants.
• Support the commissioning and final handover process, including verification of tests on completion, training of local user groups, and preparation of taking-over documentation.
• Perform other activities as required.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Has a minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience in both Civil engineering projects and vertical infrastructure design projects.
• Has experience with infrastructure construction projects, collecting programme output and outcome data, conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses, reporting, sub-national coordinating and communicating findings to relevant stakeholders for action. 
• Has experience utilizing computers, including word processing, spreadsheets and other standard software packages and systems.
• Has experience utilizing monitoring and evaluation systems and standards.
• Experience working with communities, schools and commune councils on infrastructure or other community-based programmes. 
• Has experience working with Microsoft projects or any other engineer project planning and designing tools.
• Experience with the Government procurement process, especially in construction tender.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

• Minimum University Degree (BSc) in Civil Engineering, architecture and construction management.
• A Training certificate in the related functional area has added value
• Qualification/experience in health and safety

Languages:          Fluency in both oral and written communication in English. Knowledge of the local language is beneficial.

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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

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• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

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.

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.