Programme Policy Officer/ Deputy Head of Programme, NO-B

Dili

  • Organization: WFP - World Food Programme
  • Location: Dili
  • Grade: Junior level - NO-B, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
    • Political Affairs
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: 2025-11-06

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

6 November 2025-23:59-GMT+09:00 East Timor Time (Dili)

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).

JOB TITLE: Programme Policy Officer/ Deputy Head of Programme, NO-B
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Fixed Term
UNIT/DIVISION: Programme Unit
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Dili, Timor-Leste
DURATION: One year (Renewable)

THE ROLE

The Programme Policy Officer (PPO) is expected to support the development and implementation of different activities aligned to WFP corporate standards and donor agreement. Moreover, it is expected from the PPO to contribute to quality implementation and to position WFP as a reliable partner for governments and donors. This includes working with and supporting more junior colleagues and technical colleagues in the areas of Nutrition, social protection, school feeding while also supporting the M&E unit when and where required. He/she may also support the formulation of strategies and contribute to policy development and various initiatives.

The PPO will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, overseen by the Country Director. He/she will act as a Deputy Head of Programme and work closely with Staff on the Nutrition, Fortification and Social Protection / School Feeding areas of the CSP. The key activities proposed during the assignment are as follows. (Not all-inclusive, within delegated authority)

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

1.Programme Planning and Implementation:

  • Support the Head of Programme in the development, planning, and implementation of nutrition, school feeding, social protection, and other programmes in alignment with WFP's strategic objectives and the country office's priorities.
  • Provide technical expertise and guidance to programme teams to ensure effective and efficient implementation of activities, including the design of intervention strategies, workplans, and budgets.
  • Monitor programme progress, identify challenges, and proactively propose solutions to optimize programme delivery and achieve desired outcomes.
  • Serve as the Nutrition Focal Point for WFP Timor-Leste, ensuring strategic leadership, coordination, and representation of WFP’s nutrition agenda at national and sub-national levels.

2. Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Foster and maintain effective partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors, NGOs, and other stakeholders to enhance collaboration and coordination in programme implementation.
  • Identify and build productive relationships with supply chain colleagues and staff within the area of assignment to support an integrated approach to assistance.
  • Represent WFP in relevant inter-agency, sectoral, and technical working groups, conferences, and meetings to advocate for WFP's priorities and promote synergies with partners.


3.Technical Support and Capacity Building:

  • Provide technical support and capacity building to WFP staff and partners in areas related to nutrition, school feeding, social protection, and other relevant sectors.
  • Facilitate training sessions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events to enhance the skills and expertise of programme staff and stakeholders.


4.Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

  • Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of programme activities, ensuring adherence to established indicators, targets, and reporting requirements.
  • Analyze programme data and performance indicators to assess progress, identify areas for improvement, and inform evidence-based decision-making.
  • Prepare timely and accurate reports on programme achievements, challenges, and lessons learned for internal and external dissemination.

5. Resource Mobilization and Proposal Development:

  • Contribute to resource mobilization efforts by providing technical inputs, evidence, and strategic guidance for the development of funding proposals, concept notes, and donor reports.
  • Collaborate with the Resource Management and Partnerships teams to identify funding opportunities, engage with donors, and strengthen donor relationships.

6. Risk Management and Compliance:

  • Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in programme implementation and develop risk mitigation strategies to ensure the safety, security, and effectiveness of operations.
  • Ensure compliance with WFP policies, procedures, and donor requirements, including adherence to budgetary constraints, procurement rules, and reporting deadlines.

7. Innovation and Knowledge Management:

  • Promote innovation and best practices in programme design, implementation, and delivery, incorporating lessons learned and emerging trends in the field.
  • Contribute to the documentation and dissemination of success stories, case studies, and research findings to enhance organizational learning and knowledge management.


8.Emergency Response & Other Duties:

  • Act in an assigned emergency response capacity as required to meet emergency food assistance needs.
  • Follow emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP and government are able to quickly respond and deploy food and needed resources to affected areas at the onset of the crisis.
  • Undertake any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Head of Programme or Country Director, consistent with the overall objectives and priorities of WFP Timor-Leste.

9. Other as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Advanced university degree in nutrition, public health, social sciences, international development, First University Degree with two years of related work experience and/or trainings/ courses

Desired experience for entry into the role:

  • Minimum three or more years of relevant professional work experience in similar role
  • Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring complex programmes, including a proven track record of achieving results and impact in challenging environments.
  • Has taken leadership of implementing programmes.
  • Experience working with UN agencies, NGOs, government counterparts, and other stakeholders in collaborative and multi-sectoral settings.
  • Strong technical expertise in areas such as nutrition, , social protection , school feeding, food security, and emergency response. Experience in capacity building, training, and knowledge transfer activities to strengthen the skills and competencies of programme staff and partners
  • Proven ability to analyze data, prepare reports, and communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including donors, policymakers, and community stakeholders.
  • Familiarity with humanitarian principles, gender equality, human rights-based approaches, and sustainable development goals (SDGs) would be desirable.
  • Experience working in Timor-Leste or similar contexts with a sound understanding of the socio-economic, political, and cultural dynamics of the country or region is preferred

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language and Tetum. Knowledge in Portuguese is a plus.

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.

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.
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