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).

BACKGROUND

Sierra Leone is a small but densely populated country, ranked 185th out of 193 countries in the 2024 Human Development Index. Agriculture remains the backbone of Sierra Leone’s economy, employing over 60 percent of the population, with women forming around 70% of the agricultural labour force. The sector is dominated by smallholder farmers relying on subsistence practices, with limited access to improved seeds, fertilizers and modern techniques. While there has been recent progress in reducing the severity of food insecurity in the country, 78 percent of households remain food insecure.

In view of these developmental challenges, WFP Sierra Leone launched its new Country Strategic Plan (2026-2030) in January which seeks to ensure that people in Sierra Leone are food secure, resilient, and able to access quality essential services by 2030. To achieve the three inter-connected CSP outcomes, WFP plans to implement various projects and activities to strengthen food security and build resilience among smallholder farmers (Outcome 3). WFP will scale existing livelihood interventions to create and rehabilitate community assets, safeguard natural resources and the environment, develop value chains and improve access to markets and post-harvest management. While the CSP has a large focus on scaling up home grown school feeding and delivering a food systems approach, Outcome 3 is considered the backbone for doing so. These activities contribute to a number of government strategies and priority policies including the Medium Term National Development Plan (MTDNP) and Feed Salone.

JOB PURPOSE

The Programme Policy Officer will lead most activities under Outcome 3 of the Country Strategic Plan, specifically the Smallholder Agricultural Market Support (SAMS) portfolio which aims to support resilient agricultural livelihoods and support value chain development. The incumbent will report to the Head of Programme.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead the Outcome 3/SAMS portfolio, including project design, implementation and technical support, as well as supervision of other SAMS staff and coordination with other units/sub-offices. Ensure the implementation of all projects is on track as per donor requirements, providing technical guidance and support to the team, and identifying and addressing any challenges, building capacity of WFP staff and partners in the process, utilizing M&E data to inform and improve programming. Collaborate with UN agencies such as FAO, IFAD, UNWomen, UNCDF as well as IFIs and others to provide integrated support to smallholder farmers and to contribute to WFP’s CSP and Feed Salone objectives. Nurture strategic partnerships to promote food systems, including with the ministries of Agriculture and Environment, private sector, local universities and research institutions. Support the design and implementation of local procurement strategies that are smallholder farmer friendly, while ensuring that they are consistent with WFP policies and government priorities. Coordinate with Supply Chain to enhance smallholder farmers capacity in aggregation, post-harvest handling and storage techniques, food safety and quality, to improve market access and ensure WFP can meet its local procurement targets. Support the COs resource mobilization efforts, including drafting proposals and participating in negotiations while maintaining relationships with existing donors. Conduct field missions to support knowledge transfer, project oversight, documentation of best practices and compliance. Take responsibility for integrating nutrition sensitivity, inclusive programming and women’s economic empowerment within the SAMS portfolio. Perform other duties as required.

KEY DELIVERABLES

Results for relevant projects are achieved in line with plans. Project implementation is aligned with approved workplans and budgets. Relevant reporting requirements have been met. Projects are implemented as part of an integrated food systems approach in line with the objectives of the Country Strategic Plan.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Economics, Agribusiness Management, Agronomy or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience:

Minimum of 5 years of experience in the agriculture and/or food security sector. Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions with ability to contribute to technical funding proposals. Field based experience and experience engaging government technical departments. Experience with agri-business development, small/medium enterprise engagement, smallholder procurement and commercial agriculture.

Knowledge & Skills:

Knowledge of agriculture value chains and nutrition/climate sensitive agriculture.

Ability to work as part of a team and provide technical supervision and guidance to more junior staff. Strong analytical and writing capacity, including the ability to produce high quality reports, presentations, and knowledge products. 

Excellent time management, partnership and teamwork skills.

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in English language.

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.