Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) & Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Unit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

 

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 the VAM/M&E Unit, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The internship will be for a minimum period of 3 months during May/June to August/ September 2020.

 

 

Brief description of WFP activities in Myanmar

 

Myanmar is the second largest country in Southeast Asia. It is one of the least developed countries in the world and is suffering the effects of extended isolation and stagnation, with more than 13 million people or 26 percent of Myanmar’s population living below the poverty line. The country is currently in an important political and economic transition phase with several localized conflicts posing an additional challenge to the national peace and development.

 

Through its humanitarian assistance, WFP Myanmar contributes to more equitable development and supports national reconciliation by reducing poverty, food insecurity and undernutrition, responding to disasters and increasing resilience among the most vulnerable. WFP’s assistance in Myanmar in achieving food and nutrition security is based on the following three strategic outcomes:

 

Strategic outcome 1: Crisis-affected people in food-insecure areas meet their food and nutrition needs all year round- Life-saving food and/or cash are provided to people affected by natural disasters, conflict and inter-communal violence.

 

Strategic outcome 2: Vulnerable people in states and regions with high food insecurityand/or malnutrition have access to food all year round- WFP provides food and/or cash-based assistance for vulnerable populations and technical assistance for the Government to enable itto enhance its social protection programmes, food systems and emergency preparedness capacities.

 

Strategic outcome 3: Children under 5 in Myanmar have improved nutrition in line withnational targets by 2022- WFP contributes to increasing the availability of and access to safe and nutritious food for vulnerable populations in crisis and non-crisis situations to enhance their nutrition and resilience, and supports the Government in implementing national nutritionprogrammes and nutrition-specific and -sensitive interventions, and scaling up the management of acute malnutrition.

 

Currently, WFP provides food or cash assistance to nearly 450,000 people in Myanmar and supports through its Relief, Nutrition, HIV/TB, School Feeding and Asset Creation programmes.

 

General Information

 

• Title of Post: PD Summer Intern
• Unit: Programme Unit – VAM/M&E
• Supervisor: Head of Programme
• Duration: At least 3 months (May/June to August/September 2020)

 

 

Duties and responsibilities

 

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, the PD Summer Intern will perform the following duties:

 

• Assist in the preparation of questionnaires, data analysis and drafting of Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) report for Relief, Nutrition, Asset Creation based activities
• Provide support in the implementation of SCOPE (WFP's beneficiary information and transfer management platform)
• Providing support in building the dashboard of the COMET (Country Office Tool for Managing (programme operations) Effectively) system.
• Conduct background research and literature review to identify relevant policy documents and research papers on topics directly or indirectly related to food security
• Participate in food security and vulnerability assessments as well as other joint assessments
• Undertake statistical analysis of household-based surveys and analyze price trends
• Compute statistical indicators on livelihoods, food security, nutritional status and demographic profile in order to identify vulnerable populations
• Assist in the preparation of policy briefs, discussion papers and reports, including drafting specific sections, preparing graphs, collecting and analyzing background material, and editing
• Assist in the extraction of relevant performance data and the production of data visualization (e.g. infographics)
• Undertake field visits for primary data collection and reporting as required
• Perform other related tasks and duties as required

 

 

Qualifications and experience

 

• Currently enrolled in a master’s degree programme OR a recent graduate of a master’s degree (graduated within the last 6 months)
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher, Outlook)
• Excellent English verbal and writing skills
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team

 

 

Working Languages

 

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

 

 

Supervision (Level/Methods of Supervision)

 

Under the direct supervision of Head of Programme/Deputy Country Director, 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. 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:

 

• Good understanding of the dynamics and underlying causes of poverty and food insecurity in Myanmar
• Good knowledge of the assessment tools used to measure poverty and food insecurity as well as a good understanding of how a food security monitoring system works
• Knowledge of project design and implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• General understanding of VAM/M&E projects and activities plans and processes as well as WFP overall operations and activities in Myanmar
• Development of strong capacities in food security analysis and information management
• Practical knowledge of statistical software packages (STATA/SPSS)

 

 

Information on the Country of Assignment

 

• Living conditions in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

 

Myanmar is one of the least developed countries. Naypyitaw, generally translated into ‘royal capital’, is the current capital of Myanmar, located 320 kilometers (200 miles) north of Yangon, the former capital city. The current official capital and administrative capital of the government was established on 6 November 2005. 

 

• Housing conditions: Large quantity of hotels are available, ranging from luxury 5 start hotels to economy hotels. Some house rentals are available with rental prices higher than in Yangon (although new house purchase prices are cheaper in Nay Pyi Taw than in Yangon). Foreigners can reside within the Hotel Zone and other local neighbourhoods in private rentals. A Long Stay at one of the many hotels in the area is a recommended option for a stay duration less than six months. WFP can facilitate to get the best rate with the hotels which have corporate contract rate. Renting a house is an alternative option and landlords usually ask for 6 - 12 months lease payment in advance Usually, this initial payment will not include any deposit or utilities.

 

• Transportation: No public local transportation currently available, government shuttle buses are available for government staff only. Taxi services are available, however at significantly higher prices than in Yangon. WFP would need to establish ferry services from staff housing to staff location.

 

• Medical Facilities: Hospital facilities are available, but very limited and not at a high enough capacity.

 

• Security: Upon arrival at the duty station, Nay Pyi Taw, office will arrange for a security briefing with United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).

 

 

Terms and Conditions:

 

• The PD intern will be paid a monthly stipend of approximately USD 310 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: 110501

 

 

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.

 

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