Mission and objectivesThe United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the worldโs largest humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies, and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Food and food-related assistance lie at the heart of the struggle to break the cycle of hunger and poverty. For its efforts to combat hunger, contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict, WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. WFP has been present in India since 1963, evolving from a provider of food assistance to technical support. Since 2013, WFP India has been focusing exclusively on contributing to the Government of Indiaโs efforts in achieving the SDG-2 targets by strengthening the capacities at various levels and improving effectiveness of food-based safety-nets under the National Food security Act (NFSA). Hence, through its current Country Strategic Plan (CSP 2023-2027) WFP is supporting the Government of Indiaโs efforts in achieving SDG2, the sustainable food and nutrition security for all. The Strategic Outcome 4 (SO4) primarily works on enhancing the capacities of stakeholders in climate adaptation, resilience building, and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) based on global best practices. WFP India provides technical assistance on climate resilience building, integrated risk management, and DRR to national and state governments and vulnerable communities such as smallholder farmers. Under SO4 WFP develops and supports scalable projects around climate resilient food systems, sustainable livelihoods and Food and Nutrition Security in Emergencies in multiple states like Odisha, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
ContextThe UN University Volunteer will support the project titled โEnhancing Climate Adaptation of Vulnerable Communities through Nature-based Solutions and Gender-Transformative Approaches in Assam, India.โ (ENACT Assam) under SO4. This project is funded by the Government of Norway and in partnership with the State Government of Assam. It aims to enhance the adaptive capacities of smallholder farmers, especially women, through climate-smart agricultural practices, gender-transformative livelihood solutions, and institutional convergence. The volunteer will contribute to activities focused on last mile climate services, womenโs empowerment, and building resilient food systems for Nagaon District, Assam, in line with the projectโs broader goal to develop scalable and sustainable climate adaptation models.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of Head of Unit, Climate Change, Resilient Food Systems, and DRR, WFP Country Office in India, the UN University Volunteer will support the ENACT Assam project through desk-based research, documentation, and coordination, with a focus on climate adaptation, gender, and resilient food systems. The tasks are as below: โข Conduct desk research on climate-resilient agriculture, nature-based solutions, value chains, and gender-responsive practices, including relevant government schemes and policies. โข Support development of knowledge products such as briefs, case studies, infographics, and training materials, and assist in simplifying technical information for dissemination. โข Compile and organise project data, reports, and gender-disaggregated inputs; maintain activity trackers and support basic analysis of value chain gaps and opportunities. โข Assist in any remote coordination with partners and teams, including scheduling, preparing meeting notes, and consolidating inputs for reporting and learning. โข Work on an independent report on any one of the aligned topics (TBD) Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: โข Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); โข Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; โข Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; โข Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; โข Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; โข Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Competencies and valuesโ Accountability โ Adaptability and Flexibility โ Building Trust โ Client Orientation โ Commitment and Motivation โ Commitment to Continuous Learning โ Communication โ Creativity โ Empowering Others โ Ethics and Values โ Integrity โ Judgement and Decision-making โ Knowledge Sharing โ Leadership โ Managing Performance โ Planning and Organizing โ Professionalism โ Respect for Diversity โ Self-Management โ Technological Awareness โ Vision โ Working in Teams
Living conditions and remarksDelhi, while offering a rich cultural and historical experience, presents significant challenges, particularly regarding environmental and health concerns. The city is known for its extreme weather, air pollution, and traffic congestion, impacting residents' daily lives. However, it is also an economic hub for India and people from other states of India come and settle here due to sufficient job opportunities. Housing to rent is also easily available under various budget options