ASI-05

*Please note: some adjustments may be made to this work plan. Please check for updates*

Organization: World Food Programme and Foreign Agricultural Service
Field Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Policy Location: Washington, D.C.

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products, build new markets, improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provide food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries.

One program implemented by FAS is the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition program. The McGovern-Dole program provides school feeding that improves the nutrition of children and encourages children to attend school. The program gives special emphasis to educating the girl child, which provides a broader impact on family health and nutrition.

World Food Programme (WFP) is the United Nations frontline agency in the fight against global hunger. As the world's largest international food aid organization, WFP uses its food to meet the emergency needs and support the economic and social development. In 2008, WFP plans to feed 90 million people in 78 countries. Through targeted interventions WFP helps to improve the lives of the poorest people - people who, either permanently or during crisis periods, are unable to produce enough food or do not have the resources to otherwise obtain the food that they and their households require for active and healthy lives. The Agency also provides the logistics support necessary to get food aid to the right people at the right time and in the right place.

WFP has been working in Cambodia since 1979, initially providing relief assistance to returning refugees and internally displaced people. Beginning with the arrival of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) in the early 1990s and continuing to the present day, WFP has been working to address the needs of people in crisis through a broad range of programs that support the food security and developmental needs of the country. The core goal of WFP Cambodia for the period 2008-10, developed in consultation with donors, the government and other stakeholders, is to help Cambodia achieve its MDG goal of halving hunger in the population by 2015.

For more information please go to http://www.wfp.org/.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Through partnerships with NGOs and government agencies, WFP activities focus on three key sectors: Education (School Feeding, Take-Home Rations, and Food-For-Training activities); Health and Nutrition (Mother and Child Health, HIV/AIDS and TB); and Disaster Risk Reduction (Food-For-Work and Relief).

This fellowship position is designed to emphasize the education sector by linking a government/donor institution (FAS) with a direct implementing agency (WFP) that is receiving McGovern-Dole Food for Education funds. WFP Cambodia has received McGovern-Dole funding for its Food for Education programme activities since 2003.

Since 1999, WFP Cambodia has provided school feeding as part of the essential package of interventions to improve the education, health and nutrition of school-age children.

The objective of school feeding is to ensure regular attendance, improve retention and relieve short-term hunger to improve the learning capacity of primary school students. In the 2007/08 school year the school feeding programme provided a daily on-site breakfast to roughly 450,000 children (48% girls) at 1,344 primary schools in 11 chronically food insecure provinces. In addition, about 22,000 children (80% girls) in classes 4-6 receive monthly take-home rations to encourage their parents to keep their children in school.

For more information please go to http://www.wfp.org/food_aid/school_feeding/.

FIELD PLACEMENT

During the field year the fellow will gain first-hand experience in the implementation of the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition programme. As a Programme Officer with WFP Cambodia, the fellow will work for one year at the Country Office, located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Country Director, the direct supervision of the Food for Education Sector Head, and in close coordination with the Programme Support Unit, the fellow will support the Education Unit in the implementation and coordination of all programme activities. The fellow will take an active role in monitoring and evaluating the impact of WFP food assistance to schools and strengthening and expanding outreach and advocacy efforts. The fellow will regularly liaise with local government officials and representatives from non-governmental organizations to coordinate and strengthen the management of Food for Education activities.

POLICY PLACEMENT

The fellow will be located in Washington, DC in the FAS headquarters. The fellow will work with the Food Assistance Division in the administration of the McGovern-Dole program. The fellow will assist in setting the priorities and measurable objectives for the program. The fellow will be assisting the programming branch in implementing the program. Through this effort, the fellow will learn about government operations, policy issues involving the executive and legislative branches, and the processes the executive branch uses during implementation.

The fellow will be responsible for managing specific agreements between FAS and PVOs. This will involve negotiating grant agreements and following the administration of the grants. The fellow will be involved in the development of proposal solicitation material and the development of the program for the annual International Food Aid Conference. Output for this endeavor will include the agenda for the conference and assisting in the organization of speakers. The fellow may also be involved in preparing materials for the Food Aid Convention and the Food Assistance Policy Council.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

FAS

• Ideally, the fellow will have an advanced degree and education or experience in international development.
• Experience or training in education or nutrition is highly desired.
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment. Work in the programming areas of FAS is a fast-paced environment that involves changes in priorities and the need for flexibility on a day-to-day basis.
• Interest in learning about and working in a government environment.

WFP

• Master’s Degree or coursework in Public Health, Nutrition, or International Development, with a strong focus on programme management, rapid assessment, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Field experience working in international development for a government agency, UN Agency, or non-governmental organization strongly desired. Multisectoral experience in food aid, food security, rural development, health and nutrition, vulnerability analysis and mapping, governance/anti-corruption, and agriculture would be an asset. Proven experience in design, management, analysis and reporting of food security surveys and other assessments a definite advantage.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office and Database Management. Proficiency in SPSS, Addati and other statistical software is an asset.
• Ability and willingness to learn Khmer strongly desired.
• Diplomatic personality, ability to work well in multi-cultural environment, capacity for cross-cultural communication, ability to improvise and initiate solutions to complex problems, willingness to travel in remote areas, and tolerance for stress in sometimes isolated environments.