World Food Program

Position: Advocacy Expert for Home - Grown School Feeding Consultant

Job Time: Full-Time

Job Type: Contract

Place of Work: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Posted date: 22 minutes ago

Application Deadline: Nov, 30/2021 (20 days left)

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

Ref.: VA No. 153459

Type of Contract: Consultant

Division: STR – AUC Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology (DHRST) - WFP School Feeding Program Support to the AUC 

Duration: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The World Food Programme has supported the people and governments of Africa for over half a century on issues ranging from ending poverty and hunger to sustaining peace and promoting stability; and for nearly two decades, the organization has engaged the African Union (AU), a political institution established to articulate and advocate continental political, economic and social development ambitions and priorities. In recognition of the AU’s growing importance and influence in global and continental affairs, WFP has been enhancing its engagement, advocacy and technical support to promote the implementation of AU decisions, policies, strategies and programmes. WFP’s support to the AU is coordinated by the WFP Africa Global Office based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

As part of its efforts to operationalize Agenda 2063: Africa We Want, the African Union (AU), has developed and adopted the Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2016-25 (CESA 16-25); and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Both CAADP and CESA 16-25 support home-grown school feeding programmes as a common continental priority.

During the 2016 ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, a decision was passed recognizing the importance of home-grown school feeding to access education, educational outcomes and to support local and rural economies. As per the decision, the Assembly called for (1) the establishment of a multi-disciplinary technical committee (the School Feeding Cluster); (2) the commemoration of the 1st March as the African Day of School Feeding (ADSF); (3) regular reporting on school feeding programmes in the continent; and (4) promote South-South cooperation on HGSF among member states.

As per the Assembly Decision, the Home-grown School Feeding Cluster was established in 2017. The Departments of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE); and Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS), as well as the African Union Development Agency (AUDA - NEPAD). Since the decision to establish this multidisciplinary platform WFP, through its Center of Excellence in Brazil and WFP Africa Global Office in Addis Ababa, has been providing support to its Members.

The Cluster’s mission is to improve the educational access and outcomes and nutritional and health status of school children and promote the home-grown school feeding model by enabling collaboration, coordination and knowledge exchange mechanisms. To achieve this, the Cluster will need to provide strong policy and implementation guidance to Member States that complements and reinforces the support provided by other AU organs, thus ensuring that all continental efforts are streamlined towards this same goal.

The AUC’s HGSF Cluster is well-positioned to generate much-needed regional public goods, services and resources, and to work towards mobilizing the political commitment of AU Member States to scale-up of national school feeding programmes. The HGSF Cluster has been established and members are committed to driving this agenda forward. 

However, despite some progress, there remain organizational and technical capacity constraints (incoordination, advocacy, monitoring, reporting, and research) that need to be addressed in order to effectively operationalize the Cluster. This position will help increase the capacities of the Cluster to engage in advocacy activities and operationalize the action plan already approved by the Member States and seek to address these bottlenecks to ensure effective implementation. In view of the above, the United Nations World Food Programme is seeking a Senior Advocacy Expert to be seconded to the AUC’s DHRST to provide on-site advocacy support to help implement the HGSF Cluster Strategy and Work Plan.

In view of the above, the United Nations World Food Programme is seeking a Senior Advocacy Expert to be seconded to the AUC’s DHRST to provide on-site advocacy support to help implement the HGSF Cluster Strategy and Work Plan.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Lead the process of drafting a high-impact advocacy and communication plan for the Cluster, outlining clear goals and objectives, as well as different audiences, influencing strategy, tactics, key activities, deliverables for 2021 to 2022.
2. Lead the formulation and implementation of the 2021 – 2022 advocacy and communication plan of the Cluster.
3. Lead the coordination of the organization of an annual high-level ministerial meeting, such as during the celebration of the African Day of School Feeding on the 1st of March.
4. Lead the engagement of continental School Feeding Champions, ranging from presidents, ministers, ambassadors, private investors, and celebrities to utilize their platforms to support the Cluster’s advocacy efforts that seek to position school feeding and HGSF as a key continental, regional and national priority.
5. Coordinate and ensure alignment between advocacy efforts of Cluster Members, including drafting of common messages, maintaining a calendar of events, ensuring participation of Cluster members in relevant events, etc.
6. Engage with other relevant thematic clusters within the AU to improve cross-cluster collaboration and joint advocacy.
7. Actively explore opportunities to position school health and nutrition during AU Annual Summits and high-level side events, while engaging actively with the AU member states.
8. Support the positioning of school health and nutrition with the relevant AUC bodies, as well as Human Capital Champions (usually Ministers of Finance) to embed SHN in Africa's continental, regional and national human capital development agendas.
9. Produce well-researched, clear, concise advocacy briefs on agreed agenda items, map out key targets, stakeholders, opportunities, messages and way forward with specific recommendations. 

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• One advocacy strategy and plan was developed and implemented in coordination with all Cluster Members.
• At least one high-level ministerial event organized successfully, including relevant political and operational commitments
• Identify and secure at least two high level champions that strengthen the positioning of school feeding and the core activities carried out by the Cluster.
• At least one joint advocacy brief was produced and disseminated.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

• Advanced University degree in social sciences, communications, public relations, international relations, international development and or any other related field, or First University degree with additional years of relevant work experience and/or training/courses. 

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience in high-level advocacy. 

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong knowledge and understanding of the African Union structure, processes and frameworks
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with a strong, demonstrated ability to convey complex ideas in a clear, direct, and lively style
• Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills with the ability to quickly analyze data and information from different sources and produce coherent reports
• Ability to work independently, operate under pressure, manage multiple tasks, deliver time-sensitive, high-quality work, and meet team objectives
• Strong background in policy analysis and research.
• Ability to communicate and write competently in English. 
• Highly organized at both the task and project level.
• Knowledge and experience with international organizations and/or Global Funds, with knowledge on the AU and past work on AU advocacy being an added advantage. 
• Highly creative and innovative thinker

Language:

• Excellent command and highly proficient in spoken and written English (C1 Effective Operational Proficiency)
• Working knowledge of French preferred

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

 Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP. http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

 How to Apply

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Qualified 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.