Internship – Information Management

 PRO-F, Rome, Italy

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 an Information Management intern position in our PROF of the (PRO Division, based in Rome, Italy.

Brief description of PROF, PRO:

The Food Systems and Smallholder Support Unit produces normative guidance and provides technical support to WFP Country Offices and Regional Bureaus embracing food systems approaches and implementing Smallholder Agricultural Market Support programmes, including Post-Harvest Loss (PHL) reduction initiatives. The Unit also co-leads with Supply Chain the implementation of the corporate Local and Regional Food Procurement Policy.

The Unit coordinates strategic partnerships and dialogues with other UN Agencies, in particular the Rome-based Agencies, and external partners, the private sector, foundations, research institutions, academia and various actors along the food value chain, entailing a mutually beneficial exchange of expertise to meet the needs of beneficiaries and to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

General Information

• Title of Post: Internship
• Supervisor: Programme Policy Officer, Information Management
• Unit: PROF
• Country:  Italy
• Duty Station: HQ Rome
• Duration of internship: 6 months
• Expected Start Date: 22 March 2021

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Programme Policy Office, Information Management, the candidate will perform the following duties:

• In coordination with relevant staff in regional bureaus and country offices, support the unit work on improving the way data is collected from the field and translated into information useful for planning, decision making, reporting and communication;

• Analyse and cross-check field-level data, extracted from different corporate and parallel systems, for accuracy and consistency;
• Support the development of new monitoring and reporting requirements for PROF programme areas, in the context of the upcoming new WFP Strategic Plan and Corporate Results Framework (CRF), and in alignment with corporate systems (COMET, WINGS etc.);
• Support in keeping the information management database up-to-date;
• Based on the information and data gathered from country offices, prepare analytical reports and visualizations tailored to match the needs of internal and external stakeholders;
• Support the Knowledge Management and Communications Officer in the preparation of communications products, by providing data and inputs;
• Support the unit knowledge management work by collecting good practices and lessons learnt from country operations and share them across different levels for learning and adoption purposes;
• Promote the use of a repository document: “TEAMS” as an option for ease of sharing and parallel document development within PROF and beyond;
• Provide feedback and support to country offices (as needed) on reporting requirements;
• Assist in maintaining a network of field level focal points for PROF programme areas;
• Any other tasks as may be required.

Qualifications and experience

• Recently graduated (within the past six months) in economics, agricultural economics, statistics or any other related field.
• University course attendance in the past 12 months;
• Excellent command of English; Working knowledge of a second UN language would be an asset;
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)

Required soft skills/WFP Competencies:

Purpose:
•    Understands WFP’s strategic objectives and the link to the individual’s work objectives.
•    Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors.
•    Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
•    Sets daily tasks that align with WFP’s overall operations.

People:
•    Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness and includes these in conversations on the individual’s professional development goals.
•    Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
•    Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence and develop and improve individual skills.
•    Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance:
•    Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
•    Aims to deliver results within individual scope of work on time and without errors; seeks assistance and guidance from senior lawyers, as needed.
•    Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
•    Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership:
•    Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
•    Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately escalate needs of external partners.
•    Portrays an informed and professional demeanour toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
•    Provides operational support on analysis and assessments that quantify and demonstrate WFP’s unique value as a partner.

Working Languages

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

Supervision (Level/Methods of Supervision)

Under the direct supervision of Programme Policy Officer, Information Management, 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:

Information on the Country of Assignment

• Living conditions in Rome, Italy
  (Living conditions, security, health, etc)
  

The security situation in Italy remains in line with other European Countries. There are no specific threats against the UN in Italy. Considering the ongoing defeat of Daesh in the war territories, the trend in the short and mid-term will most likely continue to see the return of the militants to the countries of origins, including Italy. Insurrectional anarchism remains sufficiently organized on the Italian territory, as it has been present for many years. This movement could target the UN in the context of its anti-capitalism/anti-western narrative. 2) Whilst UN staff continue to be victims of minor crime such as street robbery and apartment break-ins, the infrequency of attacks and random nature of locations do not indicate that UN staff are at an elevated risk in comparison to residents or tourists in Italy. 3) Italy’s national territory is exposed to a broader range of natural hazards than any other European country. The vulnerability of its population and built environment is often severe and has in some cases been exacerbated by human activities. 

• Other relevant information

VA Reference no: xxx

Closing Date: 08 March 2021

Please note that the deadline is at 11:59 pm Rome time (GMT + 1)

Terms and Conditions:

• Interns receive a monthly stipend from WFP up to the maximum amount of US$1000 per month depending on the duty station of assignment.
• 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.

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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