Programme Policy Officer (Nutrition) - NOB - Lahore

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

18 June 2025-23:59-GMT+05:00 Pakistan Standard Time (Karachi)

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).

The World Food Programme (WFP) has been present in Pakistan since 1968 with the focus of work evolving from providing humanitarian assistance to positioning itself as a partner of choice for supporting the Government’s development priorities. Under the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027 WFP continues to support national development priorities by complementing government efforts to improve food and nutrition security while also playing an integral role in emergency preparedness and humanitarian response.

In recent years, WFP has strengthened its partnership with the Government of Pakistan to address the high levels of chronic malnutrition through a lifecycle approach through activities being implemented across the country. In each provincial office WFP has a national staff who is responsible for all nutrition activities of WFP being implemented in that province. With this in mind, WFP is planning to hire a Programme Policy Officer – Nutrition in the Punjab Provincial Office (Lahore).

The Job holder will operate with a high degree of independence to ensure that nutrition programmes and policy objectives are achieved in the province. They will be involved in a wide variety of nutrition programme 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 of their unit and partners and to liaise with the teams across provinces and with additional guidance from the WFP Country Office in Islamabad.

ABOUT JOB

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer (Nutrition)

Grade:  NOB              

Type of contract:  Fixed Term     

Duration:  12 Months            

Duty Station: Lahore

Date of Publication: 4 June 2025

Deadline of Application: 18 June 2025

This vacancy announcement is for Pakistani Nationals. 

Note: This vacancy announcement will also be used to build a roster of prequalified applicants for future opportunities within same job profile at the current or lower level in Pakistan.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, pension, leave plus a medical insurance.

Important: All educational documents must be verified/attested by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Appointment will be subject to submission of HEC-verified degrees.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
To support WFP Punjab’s efforts to upscale nutrition in the province, through leading policy and programme activities and ensuring coordination with internal and external stakeholders, including Government Authorities, BISP, DoH and UN Partners.

ACCOUNTABILITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead provincial office nutrition team in managing the implementation of quality nutrition programmes in all districts across the province, both for stunting prevention, maternal and adolescent nutrition, and for treatment of moderate acute malnutrition.

• Ensure smooth and continuous functioning of the office and maintain continuity in operations, decision-making, and service delivery during the temporary absence or unavailability of the Head of the Office.

• Working with the WFP Country Office team and supporting the smooth implementation of provincial programs.

• Provide technical support to nutrition projects and activities in the province, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes/projects that complies with WFP standards and procedures.

Represent WFP at provincial or district level strategic consultations, contribute to discussions, exchange experiences, advocate and position WFP and identify areas of potential collaboration and partnerships wherever possible.

• Liaise with cooperating partners to monitor ongoing nutrition projects, ensuring effective collaboration, timeliness, and efficiency, and highlight potential risks to the project delivery. Also, to maintain close liaison with IRMNCH & NP, Government of Punjab, Department of Health, BISP Provincial/District offices for this work.

• Take decisions on routine administrative, financial, and operational matters, escalate critical or policy-level decisions to the appropriate authority, when needed.

• Plan, manage and lead WFP field operations within the area of assignment to ensure effective and efficient delivery of food assistance, and that daily operational issues are quickly resolved to prevent losses through the preparation of a risk management plan.

• Liaise with the Country Office and Provincial Office teams to prepare allocation plans to ensure timely preparation of agreements/ MOUs/ FLAs with all partners for quality delivery of services through transparent and competitive selection process.

• Prepare status and progress reports by providing information and background material for use in discussions and briefing sessions; Facilitate accurate and timely inputs/ reports from the cooperating partners for M&E analysis and status reports.

• Build capacity of WFP staff, partners, and provincial government to prepare for and respond to nutrition problems.

• Ensure that gender considerations are included in all plans and programmes and ensure that all partners are trained/briefed on issues around protection, accountability to affected populations and PSEA.

• Any other tasks that are required.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS REQUIRED:

Education
Advanced university degree in International Affairs, Economics, development studies, Nutrition/Health with relevant experience in the field or first level university degree with 2 years of additional related work experience.

Experience & Skills
• Five years of professional and managerial experience supporting the implementation of nutrition/health/development programs and coordinating with governmental stakeholders, preferably within international organizations and/or UN System. Experience working in Punjab province is considered an asset.

• Experience and knowledge of provincial government structure, functions and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Leadership and teamwork abilities.
• Good analytical, negotiation, communication, and advocacy skills.
• Willingness to travel and work under difficult conditions.
 

Language
• Fluency in English and Urdu language and any additional local language

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action. 

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.