Consultant Programme Policy

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website:  and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

BACKGROUND
As a global leader in fighting hunger and malnutrition worldwide, often in very difficult contexts, the World Food Programme (WFP) works widely with governments to support the extension of the coverage, comprehensiveness, adequacy and quality of national social protection systems and programmes. WFP aims to ensure that more people have access to strong national social protection systems that help them to meet their food security, nutrition and associated essential needs; and manage the risks and shocks they face. In 2023 WFP partnered with governments on this work in 98 countries, making this an integral part of WFP's activities in most of the countries where it operates.
Contexts of fragility and conflict are a key driver of vulnerability, including through forced displacement, and are an increasing focus of international attention from a social protection perspective. In such contexts—as measured by, for example, countries with a UN-coordinated Humanitarian Response Plan—social protection systems and programmes may be disrupted or still nascent. The political and operational challenges associated here with supporting the development of national social protection, and with exploring complementarities between WFP's own programming and the national system, require tailored guidance and attention.
PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
To advise WFP at global, regional and country levels on social protection issues; to support WFP's internal capability development in relation to social protection, and contribute to the knowledge and learning agenda; and to support WFP's external positioning, with an emphasis in all these roles on considerations for contributing to social protection policy in situations of fragility and conflict, including for displaced populations.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Programme advisory

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Support the identification and analysis of social protection policy problems, and provide technical expertise for the design and delivery of suitable social protection solutions, at global, regional or country level as required

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Coordinate with, and ensure policy coherence with, colleagues within the Social Protection team and other relevant WFP units in relation to social protection in situations of fragility and conflict

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Advise on changes to guidelines that may be required, propose and establish new guidelines within the position's area of accountability and expertise.

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Support the formulation of WFP Country Strategic Plans in line with WFP's corporate and regional policies and strategies on social protection
Workforce development
In consultation with the team lead for Workforce Development:

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Contribute to training and capacity-building in social protection (for WFP staff, and WFP contributions to external training/efforts), with an emphasis on situations of fragility and conflict
Knowledge management
In consultation with team leads for Knowledge & Learning, and Strategic & Technical Support:

Design or participate in or support research on social protection in areas of WFP priority, with an emphasis on situations of fragility and conflict

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Write or support the writing of publications and knowledge products on social protection
Partnerships
In consultation with the team lead for Partnerships and Resourcing:

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Represent WFP in inter-agency dialogues and fora, supporting WFP's external positioning, including as a follow-up to the 2024 Forum on Social Protection in Fragility and Conflict

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Contribute to the building and maintenance of strategic partnerships with key partners—such as international financial institutions, donors (e.g. EU, FCDO, BMZ), UN organisations (e.g. UNHCR, UNICEF, FAO, ILO) and strategic networks (e.g. SPIAC-B)—with an emphasis on situations of fragility and conflict
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
Advanced University degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development, International Relations, Sociology, or other fields relevant to social protection.
Experience:
At least eight years of professional experience, with:

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A social protection and/or social policy background (technical knowledge and/or operational experience), with an established professional reputation

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Demonstrated expertise in public policy and social protection

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Experience with coordination and partnership development/management, including coordination with governments and agencies/institutions providing services to governments
Knowledge & Skills:

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Knowledge of current thinking and developments in the field of social protection and public policy, country capacity-strengthening, fragility and conflict, and the humanitarian-development-peace nexus

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Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with a variety of stakeholders

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Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative information to understand current and future social protection needs and identify solutions

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Knowledge of key national and regional contexts and issues

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Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written outputs and ability to present in English and the working language
Languages:
International Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP's working language, Portuguese.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK: COMMON STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR: Leads by Example with Integrity
Upholds WFP values, principles, and standards
Demonstrates and encourages others to uphold the WFP values, principles and standards
Respects others and values diversity
Values diversity using respectful and inclusive language, and encourages others to do the same
Stays focused and calm under pressure
Stays focused and calm when under pressure, encourages others to do the same, and offers guidance and support to manage difficult situations
Demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn
Demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn and share knowledge, frequently seeking and acting on feedback, and pursuing opportunities to develop Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments
Delivers results for maximum impact
Identifies and aligns objectives to the required outcomes, holding self and/or others accountable for the delivery of results for maximum impact
Delegates appropriately
Delegates responsibly and provides appropriate support empowering others to deliver results
Adapts readily to change
Responds readily to change in different contexts and adapts accordingly
Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative
Is inclusive and collaborative
Promotes inclusive teamwork and psychological safety by encouraging colleagues to collaborate by sharing ideas and openly raising issues
Gives timely and constructive feedback
Supports development for others by giving timely and constructive feedback
Builds and shares new perspectives
Seeks out, trusts and listens attentively to diverse views to capture, learn, build and share new perspectives
Applies Strategic Thinking
Communicates and fulfils WFP's vision
Communicates and fulfils WFP's vision and operational outcomes to deliver meaningful solutions
Embraces curiosity and new ways of doing things
Demonstrates curiosity, designs and implements new ways of doing things when relevant
Analyses and evaluates data
Gathers data and different perspectives, shares knowledge and uses evidence to inform decision making
Considers the impact of decisions
Implements decisions, considering the risks and implications of actions for teams, projects and other initiatives Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships
Builds partnerships
Initiates and builds partnerships by identifying and promoting opportunities for mutual areas of interest and benefit
Collaborates to deliver common objectives
Collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives by sharing information and working together on agreed solutions

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: 

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs or spontaneous applications by email.

• If you experience challenges while submitting your online application, please contact us at for technical support only.

• Please note that applications sent to this email address cannot be considered.

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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.