PD Internship Programme 2021 – Field Innovation Hub Intern
Field Innovation Hub, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies, and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. We are currently seeking motivated and qualified candidates to fill positions of the 2021 Policy and Programme Department (PD) Internship Programme.
The position will either be based in our Field Innovation Hub in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania or home-based, depending on the pandemic-caused restrictions. The internship will be for the period of 3- 8 months from June/July 2021.
Brief description of Tanzania Field Innovation Hub:
Assisting almost 100 million people in around 83 countries each year, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. WFP partners with governments, other international organizations and UN agencies, the private sector, and more than 1,000 national and international NGOs in its operations to provide food assistance and tackle the underlying causes of hunger.
We are currently seeking to fill an Innovation Advisor position in our Innovation Field Hub, based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
WFP believes that new ideas and disruptive approaches are crucial to getting closer to achieving #zerohunger. We recognise the potential of bold, creative innovations in technology, nutrition and agriculture to create extraordinary, life-changing impact for millions of people.
To this end, WFP’s first Field Innovation Hub (the Hub) was established in Tanzania in 2017. Now in its fourth year, the Hub has laid the groundwork for catalysing Tanzania’s innovation ecosystem and changing the way WFP approaches both current and future operations. The Hub’s work is closely aligned with the objectives of WFP Tanzania’s 2017-2021 country strategic plan, which focuses on supporting the Government of Tanzania in its effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular the Zero Hunger 2030 agenda. In 2021, the hub is fully dedicated towards finding opportunities to revolutionise WFP’s activities to increase its impact and effectiveness.
The Hub’s work in Tanzania includes the following workstreams:
1) Tailored innovation services: We work together with all units in WFP Tanzania to embed innovation into the design and implementation of existing and planned activities. We help incorporate innovation into project proposals, help secure private sector partnerships, provide support on the development of business cases and advise on the use of emerging technologies. We extend these services to our government partners and other key stakeholders.
2) Identifying, matching and piloting innovation projects: We identify challenges within the domains of WFP Tanzania’s work. We match these with local & international startups or custom-design solutions together with WFP colleagues and innovation partners. We then provide funding and support to teams to refine & pilot their solutions using human-centered design tools.
3) Exploring transformative innovation: We test new approaches to innovation by leading a pioneering “moonshot” project that aims to uncover radical solutions on longer, 10year time horizons using techniques such as systems mapping and scenario planning.
4) Build the innovation capacity of intra- and entrepreneurs: We support WFP colleagues as well as external (aspiring) entrepreneurs to build their innovation and business skills to develop and test their ideas.
5) Catalysing the Tanzania innovation ecosystem: We play a key role in the Tanzania innovation ecosystem by convening and supporting other hubs and UN agencies through events, workshops and technical support.
The Hub complements the global WFP Innovation Accelerator based in Munich, Germany. Since its inception five years ago, the Accelerator has grown to a team of 50 innovators from diverse backgrounds. The Tanzania hub is the first dedicated WFP field team for innovation initiatives and works very closely with the Accelerator and the Country Office team in Tanzania to deliver on its objectives.
General Information
- Title of Post: PD Internship_Field Innovation Hub
- Supervisor: Head of Innovation – Programme Policy Officer
- Unit: Field Innovation Hub
- Country: Tanzania
- Duty Station: Dar es Salaam
- Duration of internship: 3-8 months
- Expected Start Date: June/July 2021
Duties and responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Head of the WFP Tanzania Field Innovation Hub, as well as the Senior Innovation Advisor, the candidate will perform the following duties:
- Provide support to project managers on sourcing and selection of high potential innovation projects, which could include desktop research, attending startup events in Tanzania, requesting and reviewing pitch decks, and attending selection calls with teams.
- Contribute to the design and execution of pilot projects, including desktop research, preparing and participating in innovation bootcamps, drafting of project proposals and presentations to units within WFP Tanzania.
- Provide support to the Ecosystem engagement manager on tasks such as preparing events, and developing communication and promotion materials.
- Support with other ad hoc requests as required
Qualifications and experience
- Currently enrolled with in a graduate programme and have attended classes in the past 12 months, or a recent graduate from a graduate programme (within six months prior to the application to the internship programme). Students in the field of Business, Entrepreneurship, Agriculture, Nutrition or Computer Sciences are preferred
- Excellent command of English; Working knowledge of a second UN language would be an asset
- Proficiency in modern office tools (Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Suite)
- Entrepreneurial and innovative mindset, demonstrating through extracurricular activities.
- Background or experience living/working in East Africa is a strong plus
- Technical or design skills are a plus
Required soft skills/WFP Competencies:
- Open-minded
- Driven by impact
- Self-starter
Working Languages
Working knowledge of English (proficiency/level C) is required.
Supervision (Level/Methods of Supervision)
Under the direct supervision of Head of the WFP Tanzania Field Innovation Hub, the incumbent will be provided with close mentoring, guidance and technical supervision. Performance planning and reviews as well as learning and development discussions will be elemental part of the supervision. The Hub’s Senior Innovation Advisor will be the second-level supervisor. With the support of a comprehensive induction package and assignment of a buddy/mentor, the intern will rapidly become a productive member of the team.
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
At the end of the assignment, the Intern should possess:
- Good understanding of WFP’s approach to innovation
- Exposure to practical use of innovation methodologies such as HCD and Lean Startup
- First-hand exposure to WFP innovation in the field in Tanzania
- General understanding of WFP overall operations
- Experience seeing key parts of the journey from a key challenge or opportunity for innovation, to implementation of an innovation project in close cooperation with other functional units in WFP.
The internship at the Innovation hub exposed me to a wide range of innovation projects at different stages, and I got the opportunity to take the lead in a good number of initiatives that have contributed immensely to my understanding of WFP’s approach to innovation and its overall operations. I’m sure you will enjoy the ride like I did!
From Wilfred Simon, WFP Tanzania Field Innovation Hub Intern 2020-2021
Information on the Country of Assignment
Life for expatriates in Dar es Salaam is characterized by an international community, with good employment opportunities and decent incomes, reasonable prices for housing (to rent or buy), and plenty of people from abroad to socialize with. Services are much better than the Tanzanian average, with efficient banking facilities and a simple visa system, as well as reliable internet. The construction boom of recent years also means there is plenty of choice for housing, such as modern apartments, and a variety of schools, including international schools specifically for foreigners.
Tanzania is generally a safe and peaceful country. However, like anywhere, it is wise to observe certain precautions, especially in larger urban areas. For international visitors, and indeed anyone not well acquainted with their surroundings, it is generally not a good idea to walk around at night (apart from the risk of robbery in certain areas, street lighting and sidewalks are not common but fast-moving cars are). The medical facilities in Tanzania are somewhat limited. State-owned hospitals tend to be overcrowded and the standard of care is not comparable to international standards. Most expatriates opt for private healthcare and there are good providers in Dar es Salaam, with information widely available.
VA Reference no: 141660
Closing Date: 2 May 2021
Please note that the deadline is at 11:59 pm Rome time (GMT + 1)
Terms and Conditions:
- Interns receive a monthly stipend from WFP up to the maximum amount of US$1000 per month depending on the duty station of assignment.
- WFP is not responsible for living expenses, arrangements for accommodation, necessary visas and related costs.
- WFP will reimburse travel ticket for candidates who are nationals of developing countries and are pursuing their studies in their home country.
- WFP will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognised 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.
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.
