Programme Associate - Business Engagement SC6

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Commerce, AgriBusiness, International development, or related field.

Language: Fluency in English language.

The post holder will be responsible for engaging private sector companies, both local and multi-national, around the Zambia ‘Good Food’ Logo. He/she will be primarily responsible for leading the planning, design and support implementation of the major initiatives of the SUN Business Network Zambia Strategy (2018 – 2020) linked to increasing private sector engagement in nutrition on the Logo and carrying the initiative beyond the life of the strategy.

To provide effective specialized support and technical analyses to policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs.

1. Conduct research around engagement of the private sector on similar Logo projects in other countries, both within and outside of the Southern African region, and share the result for evidence-based programming.
2. Carry out mapping of local, regional, and global businesses producing products that have the potential to meet ‘Good Food’ Logo nutrient criteria.
3. Directly engage and recruit businesses to apply for and utilize the ‘Good Food’ Logo in a way that fully demonstrates the added value of the Logo and related Healthy Diets campaign, linked to corporate interests and priorities.
4. Engage private companies and government line ministries and agencies like the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) and National Food and Nutrition Commission in the expansion of the SBN to potential areas with higher opportunities for business.
5. Develop promotional materials to be used for business recruitment.
6. Implement the ‘Good Food’ Logo Business Engagement strategy to engage more private companies on the Good Food Logo.
7. Support ZABS recruit private companies including food processing companies and retailers for the Good Food Logo initiative,
8. Support the linkage of the SBN members with the smallholder farmers and/or aggregators for better value chain in mainstreaming nutrition, as well as expanding business opportunities.
9. Provide technical assistance, training and mentoring for ZABS private companies and other government staff on business opportunities and other identified training needs.
10. Hold fortnightly meetings with ZABS and other government line ministries as deemed necessary to support them implementation of SBN initiatives including the Good Food Logo and Healthy Diet Campaign.

We look for applicants with the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian values. We commit to promote diversity, gender parity and equality between men and women.

WFP strives to build a work environment that is safe and respectful, and free of sexual harassment and abuse of authority. We believe in open communication, and every individual at WFP is treated with respect regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religious and political beliefs, etc.

In this pursuit, WFP assists women to balance work exigencies with personal and family responsibilities by providing an attractive compensation package, including fully paid maternity leave for 16 weeks, breastfeeding time off, and the possibility to avail of flexible working arrangements. Also, we endeavor to provide our staff, women, and men, with training and professional career development

• Support the Programme Officer for SBN in the strengthening and expansion of SBN.
• Provide technical support for the SBN members on business opportunities and identified needs.
• Provide strategic recommendations to global and regional SBN colleagues to facilitate business recruitment outside of Zambia.
• Conduct research around engagement of the private sector on similar Logo projects in other countries, both within and outside of the Southern African region, and share the result for evidence-based programming.
• Participate in national and provincial technical meetings related to the SBN.
• Support the Programme Officer for SBN organize coordination meetings such as the quarterly SBN members meeting and trainings for the SBN members.

• Has worked with technical teams (i.e. nutrition, VAM, etc.).
• Has contributed to implementation of programmes.
• Has observed or assisted with policy discussions.

Contract type/grade: Service Contract/SC6

• Contract Duration: 1 year (Renewable)
• Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
• Eligibility: This VA is open ONLY to Zambian Nationals.  WFP is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.