Programme Policy Officer

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. The country strategic plan is aligned with the United Nations sustainable development cooperation framework for Bangladesh for 2022‒2026 and the eighth five-year plan (covering the period July 2020‒June 2025) of the Government of Bangladesh. It is informed by the recommendations of an independent evaluation of the country strategic plan for 2017–2021 and consultation with key stakeholders. It will contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 17 through four strategic outcomes.

WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce. WFP has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority or discrimination. 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.

The large-scale influx of Rohingya refugees into Cox’s Bazar in 2017 has resulted in the establishment of the world's most densely populated refugee camp. Despite the continuous humanitarian assistance provided by the United Nations organizations and the other humanitarian organizations since 2017, the crisis continues to escalate due to the ongoing internal situation in Myanmar. Notably, more than 50,000 new refugees have arrived in Cox’s Bazar in 2024 alone.

Furthermore, this ongoing influx has significantly impacted the livelihoods of the local community. Providing support to the host community is essential to mitigating potential tensions between refugees and local residents, as well as fostering regional development.

The purpose of the JOCV-UNV assignment is to contribute to the effective implementation of host community programmes at the WFP Cox’s Bazar Area Office, supporting both the food security of Rohingya refugees and the sustainable development of Bangladesh.

WFP has been engaged in improving the food security and livelihoods of the local community in Cox’s Bazar since 2012 through the Enhancing Food Security and Nutrition (EFSN) programme. This initiative primarily supports women, who are considered particularly vulnerable within Bangladesh’s socio-economic context. In　addition to specific livelihood activities, WFP has strengthened market linkages to create business opportunities for beneficiaries.

Under the direct supervision of Head of Resilience unit in WFP Cox’s Bazar Area Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Programme Management:

- Providing project management support to host community livelihoods/market linkage interventions in Cox’s Bazar.
- Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects and highlight potential risks to project delivery. This includes providing programmatic support and advice to WFP cooperative partner(s) and support the capacity-building according to the WFP guidelines.

Coordination and Partnerships:

- Act as the donor liaison for specific donors, focusing on the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Strengthening collaboration between JICA’s livelihood interventions in Cox’s Bazar and WFP’s market linkage initiatives will be a key responsibility. The JOCV-UNV will also engage in the preparation of project proposals, coordinate donor missions and meetings, and engage with WFP’s senior management and relevant units to ensure effective stakeholder collaboration.
- Occasional travel to Dhaka for donor engagement and to Bhasan Char for livelihood programme support will be required.
- As a member of the Host Community Intervention Team, the JOCV-UNV will contribute to livelihood programme, market linkage initiatives, facilitate producer engagement, and connect local farmers with WFP-contracted retailers.
- The role also involves ensuring effective programme implementation while coordinating with private sector partners and maintaining internal alignment with Resilience, Retail, Partnerships, and Communications units.


Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• 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);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• 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.