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).

ABOUT WFP SIERRA LEONE

Sierra Leone is a small but densely populated country, ranked 185th out of 193 countries in the 2024 Human Development Index. Agriculture remains the backbone of Sierra Leone’s economy, employing over 60 percent of the population. However, the sector is dominated by smallholder farmers relying on subsistence practices, with limited access to improved seeds, fertilizers and modern techniques. While there has been progress in reducing stunting over the past decade, the national prevalence remains high at 26.2 percent – classified as a serious public health concern by the World Health Organization. Stunting continues to undermine human capital development and Sierra Leone’s long-term economic growth.
In view of these developmental challenges, WFP Sierra Leone is about to embark upon its new Country Strategic Plan (2026-2030) which, amongst other things, seeks to ensure that people in Sierra Leone are food secure, resilient, and able to access quality essential services by 2030. To achieve the three inter-connected CSP outcomes, WFP plans to implement various projects and activities to strengthen food security and build resilience among smallholder farmers. WFP will scale existing livelihood interventions to create and rehabilitate community assets, safeguard natural resources and the environment, develop value chains and improve access to markets and post-harvest management. Through activity 4 WFP will provide conditional transfers for asset creation and skills development, prioritizing vulnerable rural populations in hard-to-reach areas in at least seven food-insecure districts, with particular focus on farmers working in inland valley swamps and communities near forests where unsustainable land use and deforestation pose environmental risks. To strengthen local food markets, smallholders and other value chain actors will receive business and financial management training and be linked to aggregation mechanisms through HGSF, thus improving their market access. In close partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute and UN sister agencies, WFP will also support smallholder farmers by providing training in adaptive approaches and post-harvest management techniques. These efforts will improve access to and stimulate demand for diverse, nutrient-rich crops, complementing development partner investments in local food value chains.

This position is based in Freetown, Sierra Leone and reports to Head of Asset Creation and Livelihoods (ACL)

JOB PURPOSE

To provide support to Asset Creation and Livelihood programmes and activities that contribute to building more resilient and improved livelihoods through better natural resource management, enhanced skills, improved access to finance and markets, contributing to the development of local value chains by 2030. The incumbent will report to the Asset Creation and Livelihood Activity Manager within the Country Office’s Programme Unit.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Contribute towards the development of a limited number of projects, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance.

• Provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.

• Follow data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.

• Research and analyse policy and operational issues to support senior colleagues in the development of policies, programmes and activities.

• Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.

• Liaise with internal counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects.

• Support the identification, development and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved food assistance packages.

• Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g. through project management support of learning initiatives.

• Provide guidance to support staff, acting as a point of referral and assisting them with analysis and queries.

• Ensure gender-sensitive approaches and compliance with donor and WFP standards.

• Other as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
- Timely distribution of agricultural inputs, food and cash to smallholder farmers supported by WFP.
- Timely payment of MAFS & Community Youth Contractors.
- Targeted Smallholder farmers trained on improved agronomic practices for vegetable and OFSP production.
- Training materials/guidelines developed and delivered to WFP staff and other stakeholders.
- Supportive field visits/technical backstopping missions conducted monthly.
- External and internal coordination meetings facilitated or attended to monitor progress and address challenges.
- ACL data and knowledge management well maintained and accurate.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Economics, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.
Experience:
Minimum of 3 years of experience working in agriculture, food security or nutrition programmes. Experience in food security/agriculture programme design and implementation. Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions, as well as experience engaging government technical counterparts. Field based experience desired.
Knowledge & Skills:
Knowledge of Agriculture Value Chains and Nutrition/Climate Sensitive Agriculture.
Ability to work as part of a team and provide technical supervision and guidance to more junior staff.
Strong time management, partnership and teamwork skills.
Languages:
Fluency (level C) in English language.

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.