Technical Support Unit, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

 

 

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. We are currently seeking to fill for candidates to participate in the PD Summer Internship Programme 2020 in the Policy and Programme Department (PD).

 

The position will be based in Technical Support Unit, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The internship will be typically for the period of at least 3 months during May/June to August/ September 2020.

 

 

Brief description of WFP activities in the Technical Support unit in WFP Honduras:

 

Because of the migration from rural to urban areas, most of the world population lives in cities. However, the most vulnerable population settle in disaster risk areas, which increases the impact of the disaster and assistance in a context that is unfamiliar for humanitarian agencies. Identifying and targeting food insecurity vulnerable groups in urban areas is a significant challenge for humanitarian organizations that have traditionally assisted people living primarily in rural areas.

 

Currently food security urban assessments are conducted in adapting rural designed tools, which is more focused on rural livelihood, depending on food production and stocks, household’s consumption and poverty lines, rather than specific food security urban needs and vulnerabilities. To improve the response and assistance in urban settings, there is a need of evidence and food security assessment tools specifically designed and adapted to this context.

 

In 2018, using secondary information, the Technical Support unit in coordination with the Municipality of Tegucigalpa and the academia, Latin-American Social Faculty (in Spanish FLACSO) developed a methodology to assess food security in urban areas. This methodology is being successfully adopted and used by the municipality of Tegucigalpa for planning and as a resource’s mobilization tool.

 

General Information

 

• Title of Post: PD Summer Intern
• Unit: Technical Support Unit
• Supervisor: Head of the Technical Support Unit
• Duration: At least 3 months (May/June to August/September 2020)

 

 

Duties and responsibilities

 

Under the direct supervision of Head of the Technical Support Unit, the PD Summer Intern will perform the following duties:

 

In coordination with the Municipality of Tegucigalpa:

• Review and validate the preliminary methodology to strengthen the food security analysis in urban settings

• Define criteria to select the most vulnerable food insecure urban neighbourhoods
• Identify and classify households by levels of vulnerability to food insecurity in urban areas
• Assess different types of urban food insecurity and vulnerability

• Validate the indicator using primary information
• Develop a plan to validate the methodology in other urban municipalities such as San Pedro Sula, Choluteca and Comayagua
• Perform any other duties as required

 

 

 

Qualifications and experience

 

• Currently enrolled in a master’s degree OR a recent graduate of a master’s degree (graduated within the last 6 months)
• Excellent command of English and Spanish
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
• Experience/knowledge on data collection and analysis

 

 

Working Languages

 

Working knowledge of Spanish and English (proficiency/level C) is required.

 

 

Supervision (Level/Methods of Supervision)

 

Under the direct supervision of Head of the Technical Support Unit, the incumbent will be provided with close mentoring, guidance and technical supervision. Performance planning and reviews as well as learning and development discussions will be elemental part of the supervision. Head of Programme will be the second-level supervisor. With the support of a comprehensive induction package and assignment of a buddy/mentor, the intern will rapidly become a productive member of the team.

 

Training components

 

Throughout their assignment WFP interns have access to an industry leading learning platform, weLearn. Depending on opportunities and availability of funds, he/she may participate in WFP workshops or seminars, as appropriate.

 

Learning Elements

 

At the end of the assignment, the Intern should have:

 

• General understanding of WFP overall operations
• Very good knowledge of the food security analysis in urban settings and deliverables
• Good knowledge of the assessment methodology of urban insecurity and vulnerability

 

Information on the Country of Assignment

 

• Living conditions in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

 

Honduras has a population of 9 million, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in 2016 was USD 2,361. It has one of the most unequal distributions of income and resources in the world. More than half of the population lives below the poverty line and is exposed to violence and crime. The country is further characterized by inequitable access to land, insufficient food production, high unemployment and exposure to natural disasters. Food insecurity and malnutrition among the most vulnerable populations have worsened because of droughts in the southern and western regions of the country, known as the Dry Corridor.

 

The climate in Tegucigalpa is subtropical, with average minimum temperatures ranging between 25°C and 30°C, and maximum average temperatures between 30°C and 35°C. The official currency of Honduras is Lempiras (Lps), however US Dollars (USD) are accepted in most commercial businesses or restaurants. Credit cards are also a common way of paying bills. Currency exchange services and ATMs are available at the hotels, shopping malls, gas stations and local banks. The exchange rate fluctuates periodically and may differ from the UN rate.

 

 

Terms and Conditions:

 

• The PD intern will be paid a monthly stipend of approximately USD US$ 630 per month as a contribution towards basic subsistence costs.
• WFP is not responsible for living expenses, arrangements for accommodation, necessary visas and related costs.
• WFP will reimburse travel ticket for candidates who are nationals of developing countries and are pursuing their studies in their home country.
• WFP will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognised institutions that have been certified by competent international or national authorities such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) or Ministries of Education.
• Candidates who bear any of the following relations to WFP staff members are not eligible to apply: sons, daughters, brothers or sisters.

 

 

Closing Date: 12 February 2020

 

VA Reference no: 110563 

 

 

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.

 

Fighting Hunger Worldwide