Protection Intern at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)

The United Nations World Food Programme 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Protection Intern (Women Internship Programme)

Requisition ID: 829318
Location: Damaturu, Yobe
Job Type: Short Term Monthly
Department: Programme & Policy
Duration of internship:  8 months 

Details
Why intern with us?
Nigeria, a federal constitutional republic with over 500 ethnic groups, the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populated country in the world. Conflict in the northeast and criminality in the northwest remain important drivers of instability in Nigeria. In May 2013, the Government declared a state of emergency in the northeast States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY). UNHCR reports over three million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria, most of them in the BAY states. The March 2022 Cadre Harmonisé projected that 4.1 million people in the BAY states will face crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity from June to August 2022. WFP operations focus on crisis response to prevent further deterioration of food and nutrition security, reduce malnutrition, and minimize gender inequality. WFP has been present in Nigeria since 2016.

In addition to the exciting and challenging work we also offer:

• 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:
  • Expanded knowledge of the United Nations system: The Intern should have gained insights into the structure, functions, and mandate of the United Nations They should have a better understanding of the UN's role in advocating for sustainable development (SDG Goals) and promoting international cooperation.
  • Have proficiency in working within a humanitarian agency: The Intern should have developed skills and knowledge specific to working in a humanitarian organization like the World Food Programme. They should understand the principles, values, and operational aspects of WFP's work, including its role within the United Nations system.
  • Gained practical experience: The Intern should have gained practical experience in implementing initiatives and interventions aimed at achieving the WFPs mission. They should have participated in relevant projects, activities, and programs to contribute to WFP's efforts in achieving Zero Hunger.
  • Strengthened professional skills: The Intern should have honed their professional skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and project management. They should be able to apply these skills effectively in a multicultural and fast-paced work environment

How can you make a difference?

• The unit ensures protection mainstreaming in food security, nutrition and livelihoods.
• This includes protection analysis to inform WFP programming, capacity building/strengthening of internal staff and CPs, strengthening accountability to affected populations (AAP) and ensuring WFP interventions contribute to protection outcomes.
• The unit also conducts relevant assessments such as protection risk assessments, conflict sensitivity assessments, cash-based transfer impact assessments among others to inform strategy and policy development.
• The unit continues to induct CPs on Prevention against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and against Sexual Harassment.
• In a nutshell, the unit has been involved in the implementation of the WFP Nigeria Protection and AAP Strategy 2021-2023 whose overall vision for WFP Nigeria is "To ensure that affected populations, including displaced persons, host communities and returnees, are able to enjoy their right to food security, nutrition and safe and meaningful access to livelihoods, and are granted the urgency to determine what is in their best interest".

Responsibilities
In this role, you will:

• Contribute to the implementation WFP Nigeria Protection/AAP strategy amongst WFP colleagues, CPs and displacement affected populations.  
• Support WFP and CPs protection mainstreaming in the AO/SO, including support CPs in the establishment and management of the Project Management Committee.
• In close collaboration with programme staff, ensure regular consultations with beneficiaries are conducted throughout the project cycle stages, documenting feedback from the consultations and responding to concerns raised.   
• Support the Protection Unit team in the AO/SO in the processes for the development of the community engagement and communication with communities’ strategy to ensure that accurate, timely and adequate information is delivered to communities.
• With guidance from the Protection/AAP team, work with AO/SO programme colleagues to conduct protection risk analysis or assessments, develop risk mitigation action plans and follow up on implementation of mitigation measures to enhance the safety, dignity and integrity of communities.
• Protection-related complaint resolution and management of internal and external referrals​.
• Follow up with relevant program staff on the resolution of all complaints and relevant information updated in the CFM database. 

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an Undergraduate or Graduate programme (for example, Master's Degree) from a recognized university and has attended classes in the past 12 months or a recent Graduate from an Undergraduate or Graduate programme (within six months before the application to the internship programme) from a recognized university and has attended classes in the last 12 months of enrolment in the university, in the field of Law, International Studies, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or another field relevant to International Development and Humanitarian Assistance.
• Must be women, as this program aims to empower and support women in line with WFP's commitment to gender equality.

Working Language: 

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

Required skills/ Competencies:

• Works effectively in a multicultural and diverse environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
• Comfortable in a rapidly changing environment, with competing and shifting priorities.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Excellent organisational skills
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Remuneration
Interns will be paid a stipend to cover basic subsistence costs. The amount payable will be the equivalent of 14% of the daily subsistence allowance prevailing in the duty station of assignment for each day worked and not to exceed:

• US$ 1000 per month if I am based in "H" duty stations or internationally identified in Regional Bureaux/Country Offices; 
•  G3/1 net salary or US$ 1000 (whichever is lower) per month if I am locally identified in Regional Bureaux/ Country Offices. 

Application Closing Date
3rd September, 2023; 11:59 pm Rome time (GMT + 1) .

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Terms and Conditions

• Only Women Nigerian Nationals are eligible to apply for this position.
• Only residents of the Northeastern States of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe are eligible to apply 
• Applications are to be submitted and received online and in the English language only.
• WFP is not responsible for living expenses, arrangements for accommodation, necessary visas, and related costs.
• WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate based on HIV/AIDS status.
• WFP will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognized 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.
• Participation in the internship programme does not give rise to, or expectation of employment with the Agency during or after such assignment.
• An intern is required to undertake a mandatory separation of 30 days following the conclusion of their intern placement and commencement of a subsequent contractual engagement.
• WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of interns is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting an inclusive work environment in which diversity is valued and where no form of discrimination is tolerated.
• 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.
• WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties.
• Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment
• WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.