Member of the WFP Independent Oversight Advisory Committee (IOAC)

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).

Organizational Context

The Independent Oversight Advisory Committee (IOAC), serves in an expert advisory capacity and provides independent, expert advice to the Executive Board and the Executive Director in fulfilling their governance responsibilities, including ensuring the effectiveness of WFP’s internal control systems, risk management, audit and oversight functions, and governance processes. The IOAC aims to add value by strengthening accountability and governance within WFP.

Responsibilities

The specific responsibilities of the IOAC include advising the Executive Board and the Executive Director on the following:

• Internal oversight/internal audit/investigation function: provide advice on the independence and mandate of the Office of the Inspector General; review its budget and staffing requirements; review its overall performance and issue related recommendations, provide advice on the selection and performance of the Inspector General and Director, Oversight Office and on the annual plan for oversight activities; 
• Risk Management and Internal Controls: the effectiveness of WFP's internal control systems, including risk management and internal governance practices;
• Financial Statements: issues arising from the audited financial statements of WFP, and reports to WFP management and the Executive Board produced by the External Auditor;
• Accounting: the appropriateness of accounting policies, standards and disclosure practices and any changes and risks in those policies;
• External audit: the External Auditor's work plan and reports, including any comments for consideration by the External Auditor in the independent determination of their work plan and issued reports; the IOAC may provide, upon request of the Executive Board, advice on the selection of the External Auditor, including the costs and scope of the services to be provided, and to the Executive Board regarding the fees charged by the External Auditor and on extensions of the audit work or additional work required of the External Auditor;
• Values and Ethics: the systems established by WFP to maintain and promote international civil service values, and to ensure compliance with applicable norms and policies, and high standards of integrity and ethical conduct, to prevent conflicts of interest and misconduct; and
• Allegations of Inappropriate Activity: the process for handling and investigating significant allegations.
• Evaluation: evaluation policy; evaluation strategy and charter; annual work plan and budget; quality assurance systems for the evaluation function; and external assessments. Review the effectiveness of the evaluation function and provide a forum to discuss matters raised in WFP evaluations;
• Management response and follow up: provide advice on the adequacy of management response and follow-up to audit, ethics, ombudsman and evaluation recommendations.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 15 years of progressively responsible Senior Management experience in Finance, Audit/Oversight and/or Evaluations;
• A track record of providing expertise in an advisory capacity to Executive level stakeholders;
• Proven experience in organizational governance and accountability structures, including risk management and ethics;
• Demonstrated knowledge of large, international, and complex organizations;
• Demonstrated ability to deliver recommendations across different levels of a multicultural organization;
• Previous Oversight Committee (or similar) experience preferred.
• Understanding of general legal concepts;

To undertake the role effectively, members of the IOAC should possess integrity, independent judgment, dedication, and commitment to WFP’s global goal of reaching zero hunger.

The Committee conducts its work in English. Candidates must have a high level of English proficiency to engage fully and carry out their responsibilities.

Terms and Conditions

To meet IOAC equitable geographical representation requirements, preference will be given to nationals from these countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of).

WFP is committed to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. Qualified women candidates are strongly urged to apply.

Members of the IOAC shall be independent of the WFP Secretariat and the Executive Board. The appointment is for a three-year term, which may be renewed for a further three years.  This position is without compensation, but travel and subsistence costs are paid by WFP. IOAC members are expected to attend at least four meetings each year either in Rome, Italy, or in a field location to experience WFP operations first-hand.

For more details, please visit Independent Oversight Advisory Committee | WFP Executive Board

Application Closing Date: 11/01/2026

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.