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: https://www.wfp.org 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).

WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

ABOUT 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.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

 Job holders operate with a high degree of independence, manage more junior staff to ensure that programme and policy objectives are achieved in full. They are usually involved in a wide variety of programme and policy activities and analytical work, some of which may be of a considerable complexity. At this level job holders are expected to contribute to performance improvement.

JOB PURPOSE

WFP Nepal through its country strategic plan 2024-2028, has been supporting the Government of Nepal deliver its national and international commitments to meet the 2030 SDG 2 and 17 targets. Following the UN Food Systems Summit (2021), a crucial milestone for food systems transformation, Nepal developed its National Food Systems Transformation Plan, anchored around six action tracks: ensuring safe and nutritious food, promoting sustainable consumption, fostering nature-positive production, enabling equitable livelihoods, building resilience, and upholding the right to food.  The Plan (2023-2030) seeks to transform Nepal’s food systems and guide national and provincial planning. Challenges include increased food prices, limited access to markets, supply chain issues and the impact of climate change and shocks.

One of the key programmes with a broad food system transformation potential is the Mid-day Meal Programme. Today, the programme spans all 77 districts across the country’s seven provinces, covering more than three million children in over 27,000 schools and providing meals every school day, making it one of the largest social safety nets in the country.  WFP has provided programme implementation support to the national programme for decades   and from January 2026 onwards will solely focus on providing technical assistance and system strengthening support to the government at the three tiers.

Despite strengthening policy frameworks, growing operational experience, and increased investments, gaps remain in translating the policies and strategies into practice at the sub-national level (Province, District and local government) affecting the continuity, quality, and sustainability of the Mid-day Meal Programme. In late 2024, the government, led by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, took a bold decision in developing and approving a national home-grown school feeding framework which paved the way to scaling up the home-grown school feeding approach in 250 of the country’s 753 Municipalities in the next three years starting from 100 Municipalities in fiscal year 2025/2026. This will, among other things, entail strengthening local government capacity to enhance and support the quality of implementation of the Mid-day Meal programme through the home-grown school feeding approach. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and provincial and local governments, WFP has successfully tested context specific home-grown school feeding models that provide multiple benefits for children, the local communities, the country at large and have the proven potential to offset some of the implications of the limited cash allocations from the federal level.

WFP will continue to play a key role in food systems transformation in Nepal through promoting integrated programming at the sub national level.  As such, this position will play an integral role in engaging provincial, district, and local level governments across Madhesh and Koshi provinces, while providing programme coordination and leadership for WFP staff based in multiple locations in the provinces.

TERMS AND CONDITION

Position Title: Programme Policy Officer (Programme Coordinator) SCL9

Contract Type: Service Contract (SC)
Level: SC L9

Contract Duration: 12 months (renewable)

Duty Station: Janakpur, Nepal

Date of Publication: 09.01.2026
Deadline of Application: 22.01.2026
WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary plus CIGNA health insurance

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority)

Under the supervision of the Head of Programme the incumbent will:

• Establish and maintain sustainable partnerships to provide an integrated technical assistance packages to the government, develop and sustain liaison with local governments, international and local non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, civil society partners, beneficiaries and other partners and media engaged in the field of food and nutrition security and other areas of priority to the National, Provincial and Local Governments.
• Represent WFP in coordination structures in Madhesh and Koshi provinces and provide programme guidance and oversight to WFP staff located in provinces, district, or at local levels.
• Work closely with respective Provincial Ministries and provide timely and quality technical assistance in the preparation and implementation of annual workplans for the Provincial and local governments through facilitating and ensuring Food Systems Transformation activities are included in local level plans and guidelines.
• Provide capacity strengthening support to local governments in operationalizing the home-grown school feeding framework through coaching and mentoring WFP and local government personnel, in line with the National Home-Grown School Feeding Framework.
• Oversee provision of technical assistance to local governments in developing   contextualized procedures and guidelines to address local needs under the Mid-day Meal programme with a home-grown approach including food procurement, contracting between schools and smallholder farmers and their cooperatives.
• Support in the oversight, promotion of and support to active WFP programming across Madesh and Koshi provinces, including under anticipatory action, nutrition-sensitive social protection, and resilience portfolios.
• Represent WFP in different fora related to food systems, including among other, school meals, rice fortification, at the district and municipal levels.
• Build effective and collaborative relations with the local authorities and contribute to the expertise sharing and capacity building for effective preparedness and response to food assistance needs.
• Other as required. Any other related tasks as required or assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications & Experience Required

Experience:

At least three (3) years of postgraduate professional experience relevant experience in implementing technical assistance programmes at field level (i.e., education, agriculture, nutrition, food systems, etc.). More years of relevant experience is desirable. Experience working in multisectoral platforms and coordinating groups of diverse stakeholders.  Strong experience and proven track record contributing to design and implementation of programmes and must have deep knowledge and experience on food systems transformation and nutrition-sensitive social protection programmes. Experience in negotiations, communications, and resource mobilization are valuable assets.

Education:

Advanced university degree in education, nutrition, agriculture, food systems, public health, development studies, social sciences, international development, or related field or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Knowledge & Skills:

Ability  to: (1) develop and maintain networks with variety of stakeholders; (2) facilitate workshops and group discussions; (3) professionally impart knowledge  and technical expertise  to partners and stakeholders; (4) flexibly to adapt to changing contexts and needs; (5) participate in open dialogue and value diverse opinions, regardless of background, culture, experience, or context; and (6) explore, innovate and  test new ideas and approaches in own work; and (7) work independently in a timely and organised manner.

The ability to work independently, to be a self-starter, motivated, and ability to multi-task is essential for this role, and non-negotiable. Familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite is essential. A valid license for Motorbike is required, as much time will be spent commuting between municipalities and district headquarters.

Language:

Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English and Nepali languages. Knowledge of other local languages will be an added advantage. Nepali typing skill is an asset.

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:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

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 global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org 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.