JOB TITLE: Programme Policy Consultant – Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF)
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Consultant – CST II
UNIT/DIVISION: Programme
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Bujumbura, Burundi
DURATION : 11 Months
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE :
WFP Burundi is seeking a Programme Policy Consultant (CST II) to support the country office’s school feeding programme under Activity 5 of Outcome 2 in its Country Strategic Plan (CSP 2024–2027). The programme aims to provide safe and nutritious school meals to pre-primary and primary school-aged children in targeted areas, covering 885 schools across 8 provinces under two different modalities:
- Centralized Procurement Model: Reaching 527,120 children in 623 schools.
- Homegrown School Feeding (HGSF) Decentralized Procurement Model: Reaching 203,414 children in 262 schools, with support from 5 Provincial Education Entities (DPEs) and partnerships with 23 smallholder farmer cooperatives and food processors under CSP Outcome 3.
The programme plans to scale up HGSF to cover at least half of the assisted schools by 2027.
Through HGSF, WFP promotes climate-smart solutions such as fuel-efficient stoves, organic briquettes, afforestation, WASH initiatives in schools, and social behaviour change communication targeting children and adolescents. Focus areas include health, hygiene, nutrition, early pregnancy, and early marriage.
Capacity-strengthening activities include:
- Supporting centralized and decentralized HGSF models in local procurement, food safety, quality control, storage, and supply chains.
- Providing technical assistance to government ministries on recipe guides, simplified tendering guidelines, and revised national school feeding policies.
Partnerships are established with government ministries, INGOs, and UN agencies, including MOUs with the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Energy, covering DNCS and 8 DPEs. Collaborating partners include World Vision International, Caritas Bubanza, Amazi Water, Welthungerhilfe, and UN agencies like UNICEF and UN Women, focusing on WASH in schools and girls’ education.
The school feeding programme is one of WFP Burundi’s largest initiatives, representing 38% of the annual need-based budget (USD 33,520,437). The Programme Policy Consultant will work under the coordination of the Head of School Feeding/School-Based Programme Manager to support this critical initiative.
JOB PURPOSE
To support the integrated home-grown school feeding (HGSF) program implementation within the nutrition CSP pillar Outcome 2 “People in Burundi have improved nutrition, health and education outcomes that contribute to human capital throughout the year “
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. Policy Formulation & Implementation: Support the development and implementation of integrated homegrown school feeding (HGSF) policies, ensuring alignment with WFP, national priorities, and innovative approaches for universal coverage.
2. Technical Assistance & Capacity Building: Provide technical advice, capacity-building initiatives, and strategic mentorship to government counterparts, WFP staff, and partners to enhance programme design and delivery.
3. Operational Coordination & Partnerships: Foster operational partnerships and multi-sectoral coordination with various stakeholders, including ministries, private sectors, and international agencies, to improve programme effectiveness and advocacy efforts.
4. Data Management & Monitoring: Oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting through platforms like School Connect and COMET to inform decision-making and maintain rigorous quality standards.
5. Programme Oversight & Resource Mobilization: Lead operational planning, resource mobilization, and preparation of analytical reports to ensure effective programme implementation and sustainability.
6. Leadership & Representation: Represent WFP in school feeding-related forums, enhancing visibility through briefings, advocacy, and information dissemination.
7. Innovative Financing & Community Contributions: Explore co-financing mechanisms and support governments in mobilizing resources, including private sector engagement, and documenting community contributions.
8. Event Coordination & Compliance: Facilitate events like African Day of School Feeding, manage MOUs, and ensure adherence to WFP rules and financial reporting requirements.
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:
- Has experience working across the Program portfolio, including education, food security, nutrition, social protection etc.
- Has led the design and implementation of programmes and projects.
- Has engaged in policy discussions and provided input into policy decisions.
- Has experience working on Homegrown school feeding and coordination with Governments
STANDARD MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Computer Science, or Information Technology, or Data Management, or Information Management or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.
Language: Fluency (level C) in both French and English languages.
Knowledge & Skills:
- Cognitive capacity: Actively seeks information from a variety of sources. Synthesizes information based on a solid understanding of issues.
- Teamwork: Recognizes interdependencies in cross-functional work and shares information with colleagues and supervisors.
- Action management: Defines work goals and devises plans to attain them. Analyses potential problems and makes recommendations in a proactive manner.
- Innovation:Â Show willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
- Partnering: Develops and maintains effective work relations with partners.
- Cultural and political understanding: Understands worldwide problems from a broader perspective. Understands interactions among economic, political and cultural factors which contribute to problems or issues.
- Communication: Strong writing skills, provides clear messages and presents complex issues articulately.
- Good knowledge of computer tools (Excel, Power point, MS office) and other software. Knowledge of Tableau data analysis and visualization software is an asset
- Information Management: relevant experience in Information Technology, or Information Management, or Data Management, with a mastery of customer and partner support.
- Interpersonal skills: Solicits and incorporates varied concerns and perspectives of others in daily work. Participates in office work in a manner that fosters strong working relationships and trust.
How to apply
Please apply using the link below: https://wd3.myworkdaysite.com/recruiting/wfp/job_openings/job/Bujumbura-Burundi-The-Republic-Of/Consultant-Programme-Policy–HGSF–CSTII_JR116297-1