UN World Food Programme Associate (Innovation) Jobs in Uganda

UN World Food Programme Associate (Innovation) Jobs in Uganda

About WFP

United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.

Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need. In emergencies, WFP gets food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters.

After an emergency, WFP uses food to help communities rebuild their lives. On average, WFP reaches more than 80 million people with food assistance in 80 countries each year.

Brief description of WFP in Uganda

WFP delivers food assistance in emergencies and work with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. WFP provides life-saving food assistance and livelihood opportunities to refugees in Uganda. In addition, WFP assists the most vulnerable people in Uganda with food and nutrition assistance. Finally, WFP works with smallholder farmers and links them to markets.

As Uganda strives to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030 and become a middle-income country by 2040, WFP is also assessing its relevance and repositioning its role in Uganda.

Are You Up to the Challenge?

We are seeking a qualified individual for the position of Programme Associate (Innovation) SSA6 to be based in Kampala. The selected candidate will be employed on a Special Service Agreement

Organizational Context

The job is found in WFP Uganda Country Office. The incumbent will be reporting to the Uganda Country Office Innovation Advisor. This person will also be working with functional units in the Uganda country office including Partnerships, HR, Supply Chain, Programme, etc. and Area/Field Offices as well as stakeholders within the Uganda external innovation ecosystem.

The Government of Uganda has made a formal commitment to valuing the impact of innovation through the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) which recognizes the importance of Science, Technology, and Innovation to drive socio-economic growth and transformation.

In parallel, the private sector/informal Uganda innovation ecosystem has been developing at a rapid pace over the past few years and there is strong potential for various WFP Uganda teams and programmes to tap into burgeoning innovation programmes.

Recognizing the growing innovation space in the country, including an increase in innovation hubs and entrepreneurial activity, WFP is eager to understand how best to connect with and foster this growth.

Job Purpose

To provide effective specialized support and technical analyses to policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs.

Key Accountabilities (not all-inclusive)

Supporting the implementation of the Ugandan Innovation Strategy through the technical design, development, delivery and scale of impactful products, services and processes to increase food security in Uganda. The incumbent will use Human Centred Design and design thinking techniques to identify and scale desirable, feasible and viable innovations

Manage IGNITE Food Systems innovation programme implementation and events with the support of the Innovation Advisor WFP Innovation Hub for Eastern Africa and support the scale-up of innovations through partnerships management and close coordination with relevant WFP and external stakeholders.

Be the country office product, service and process designer

Create design concepts and drawings to determine the best product

Present product ideas to relevant team members for brainstorming

Suggest improvements to design and performance to products and services

Employ design concepts into functional prototypes

Perform research on product and services technologies and structures to implement into design concepts

Maintain up to date on current industry trends and market conditions

Coordinate with programme team to

ensure accurate communication and efficiency in the design phase

Modify and revise existing WFP products and services designs to meet client expectations

Key Accountabilities 1 and 2

Learn and understand the needs of WFP people of concern

Conduct design research to generate value (utility) for the end users

Gather cumulative experiences of human interactions, experiences and artifacts

Use empathy thinking and modelling to gather research

Prepare multimedia presentations that use words, photos, drawings, and stories to present complex human archetypes, needs, patterns and narrative data

Key Accountability 2

Concept development

Develop written innovative concepts to present to programme teams and other stakeholders

Develop innovative and effective communication strategies and support in their execution

Key Accountabilities 3 and 4

Lead ideation and brainstorming workshops

Organize and facilitate ideation and brainstorm workshops and boot camps where teams are supported by human centred design methods as they go through the innovation process

Key Accountability 4

Prototyping and testing

Enable low-cost, rapid testing and visualization of ideas by supporting teams to design prototypes.

Build representation of ideas c. Implement pilots using a lean approach to gather quick and measurable value propositions

Key Accountabilities 5 and 6

Support implementation of scaling plans of successful prototypes and pilots

Together with the innovation advisor and a programme team member, develop and implement scaling plans for innovative ideas including the development of sustainable business models.

[Other Accountability

Innovation capacity development and external innovation programme management

Train teams on innovation methodology such as design thinking, lean start-up, and agile project management through in person, online or blended formats.

Manage innovation projects from regional bureau and the accelerator as needed

Standard Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and product design, architecture, technology or other related degrees

Experience:

Technical skills in Computer Generated Design (CAD) and Adobe design software. Bonus if the candidate has visual illustration capabilities

At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in an international design or innovation studio and working in the humanitarian/international development sector.

Program and event organization, project management, and data collection and analysis experience required.

Experience working with start-ups/organizations in the East Africa innovation ecosystem and/or in food systems is beneficial.

Experience owning and building strategies to develop new concepts

Experience navigating a complex network of stakeholders

Must have an up-to-date portfolio of product, service and design work

Languages: International Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language

Other Specific Job Requirements

Knowledge and skills

Passion and deep understanding of innovation and relevant context

Wide-reaching networks in the innovation community in Uganda and globally

Design experience and/or start-up mentality, i.e.; experience of working and leading across functions/teams to get things done in a hands-on way

Proven track record of driving projects, effectively managing projects and events from design to completion

Strong conceptual thinking to develop new strategies and innovative project

Able to interact with a broad range of stakeholders and external audiences with maturity and tact

Ability to manage and motivate indirect reports (matrix management), set clear expectations, and encourage them to develop their skills and take ownership

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; UN World Food Programme Associate (Innovation) Jobs in Uganda

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