DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

18 December 2025-23:59-GMT+04:30 Afghanistan Time (Kabul)

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).

This position is National Officer role and UN Common System VA.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

WFP Afghanistan implements one of the largest emergency school feeding programmes worldwide, reaching nearly one million children across 10 provinces in 2025. The programme provides critical support to children’s education, nutrition, and overall wellbeing. It plays a central role in WFP’s Human Capital Development strategy and has strong potential for expansion and cross-sectoral integration, including with home-grown school feeding, livelihoods, social protection, gender, and protection.

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Human Capital Development (HCD) and will lead the School Feeding portfolio at country level, working closely with Area Offices, cooperating partners, de facto authorities, and internal WFP units.

JOB PURPOSE

To lead the design implementation, coordination, oversight, evidence generation, and quality assurance of WFP’s School Feeding Programme in Afghanistan. The Programme Policy Officer (NOB) will serve as the Head of School Feeding, responsible for programme strategy, operational management, staff supervision, partner management, engagement with authorities, and external representation.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Human Capital Development, the incumbent will:

Programme Strategy and Design

• Lead the overall design and implementation of the School Feeding Programme, ensuring alignment with corporate policies and Afghanistan’s operational context.

• Adapt regional and global guidance—including emergency school feeding models—to ensure high-quality, context-relevant programme approaches.

• Provide technical guidance on feasibility assessments, school feeding models, food modalities, school health and nutrition components, and integration with other human capital interventions.

Programme Management and Operations

• Oversee day-to-day implementation of School Feeding across Country and Area Offices, ensuring clarity of guidance, compliance with WFP standards, and achievement of results.

• Provide hands-on technical and operational support to WFP field offices and cooperating partners to address challenges and ensure uninterrupted programme delivery.

• Lead the development and rollout of operational guidance, SOPs, training materials, and implementation tools.

Engagement with Authorities and Stakeholders

• Support engagement and negotiation with de facto authorities at central and provincial levels, in line with WFP’s access strategy.

• Represent WFP in the Education Cluster, Education Strategy Working Group, Donor Forums, and other coordination platforms.

• Build and maintain partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs, education institutions, and other stakeholders to enhance programme delivery and integration.

Cooperating Partner (CP) Management

• Lead cooperating partner selection through call-for-proposal processes, contracting, and performance management.

• Design and implement capacity strengthening plans for national partners to support localisation and sustainability.

• Conduct performance reviews and ensure follow-up actions for improvements.

Evidence Generation, Monitoring, and Learning

• Lead the evidence-generation agenda for School Feeding, including monitoring systems, assessments, operational research, and data analysis.

• Improve information management and reporting to ensure evidence-based decision-making.

• Produce analytical briefs, reports, programme updates, and learning documents for internal and external stakeholders.

Risk Management and Oversight

• Ensure robust risk management, oversight missions, and quality assurance processes.

• Monitor compliance with WFP policies, donor requirements, and minimum monitoring standards.

• Lead follow-up on monitoring findings and support implementation of corrective measures.

Resource Mobilisation and Internal Coordination

• Contribute to concept notes, proposals, donor presentations, and resource mobilisation efforts.

• Monitor budget utilisation, commodity and cash availability, and programme expenditure.

• Coordinate closely with internal units (Supply Chain, Finance, Partnerships, Programme, Access, Protection, Gender, Nutrition, and Social Protection).

Team Leadership and Capacity Strengthening

• Supervise, coach, and mentor the School Feeding team at CO and AO levels.

• Lead staff capacity development and ensure strong team performance, communication, and collaboration.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Advanced University Degree in Education, International Affairs, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Economics, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Social Protection, or another relevant field. OR First University Degree with additional years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• At least three (3) years of postgraduate professional experience; in School Feeding, Education, Nutrition, Food Security, or related sectors.

• Desired qualifications, 5-7 years of experience in the role will be considered a significant factor in our evaluation.

• Experience managing programmes in complex or emergency environments.

• Experience working with cooperating partners, government entities, and education stakeholders.

• Experience leading teams and managing large-scale programme operations.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of programme cycle management (design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation).

• Demonstrated technical expertise in school feeding or education programmes, food security, nutrition, or social protection.

• Strong analytical, reporting, and evidence-generation capabilities.

• Demonstrated skills in coordination, stakeholder engagement, policy dialogue, and problem-solving.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

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

• 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.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• 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

• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• 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.