Programme Assistant
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Vientiane
Laos
December 26, 2025
Full-timeDecember 26, 2025
Programme Policy Officer (PPO)
World Food Programme (WFP) About
Founded in 1961 and assisting 80 million people in around 80 countries each year, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.
WFP’s efforts focus on emergency assistance, relief and rehabilitation, development aid and special operations. Two-thirds of its work is in conflict-affected countries where people are three times more likely to be undernourished than those living in countries without conflict.
In emergencies, WFP is often first on the scene, providing food assistance to the victims of war, civil conflict, drought, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, crop failures and natural disasters. When the emergency subsides, WFP helps communities rebuild shattered lives and livelihoods. WFP also works to strengthen the resilience of people and communities affected by protracted crises by applying a development lens in its humanitarian response.
WFP is the largest humanitarian organisation implementing school feeding programmes worldwide and has been doing so for over 50 years. Each year, WFP provides school meals to between 20 and 25 million children across 63 countries, often in the hardest-to-reach areas.
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of eradicating hunger and improving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security globally. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and communities. The organization has received numerous accolades for its work, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant role in addressing global hunger and promoting sustainable development. WFP also emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
Job Overview:
The Programme Policy Officer (PPO) will play a crucial role within the School Meals team at the WFP Country Office in Laos. This position is focused on providing strategic support for the school meals programme, which is a vital initiative aimed at improving food security and nutrition among vulnerable communities. The PPO will be responsible for coordinating and implementing project activities, ensuring that they align with WFP's corporate standards and donor requirements. The role involves collaboration with various technical units within WFP, including nutrition, resilience, social protection, and gender inclusion. The PPO will also work closely with field offices to facilitate the transition from direct implementation by WFP to a supportive role for the Government of Laos in managing the National School Lunch Programme. This transition is essential for ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of school feeding initiatives in the country.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Policy Officer include providing project management support for the WFP school meals portfolio, ensuring that activities are executed according to the workplan and in compliance with WFP standards. The PPO will coordinate with field and antenna offices to plan and implement school feeding activities, which include in-kind food distributions and capacity strengthening for government counterparts. The role requires operational and technical support to ensure effective implementation of school meals activities at various levels, including preparing food release notes and collaborating with logistics teams for accurate food distribution. The PPO will engage with stakeholders at all levels of government and civil society to enhance multisectoral collaboration and support the transition process for schools currently receiving direct support from WFP. Additionally, the PPO will identify challenges and opportunities, conduct analyses, and contribute to the planning and monitoring of programme activities. The role also involves preparing reports on school meals activities and supporting research and assessments related to school feeding.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, International Affairs, Economics, or a related field relevant to international development assistance. Alternatively, a first university degree with additional years of relevant work experience and/or training may be acceptable. A minimum of six years of experience working with NGOs, school feeding, nutrition programming, rural development, or related fields is required. Candidates with three years of experience in the aforementioned sectors and a master’s degree will also be considered. Strong analytical, facilitation, and negotiation skills are essential, along with the ability to work effectively in a team and establish relationships with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, International Affairs, or Economics. Candidates with a first university degree and significant relevant experience may also qualify. Continuous professional development through training and courses related to international development assistance is highly valued.
Experience:
The position requires at least six years of relevant experience in areas such as school feeding, nutrition programming, rural development, or related fields. Candidates with three years of experience and a master’s degree will also be considered. Experience in policy consultations, project development, and management is crucial, as well as a proven track record in delivering community-level development programmes focused on school meals and nutrition.
Languages:
Fluent working knowledge of both Lao and English (Level C) is essential for this position. Candidates with knowledge of additional local Lao languages will have an advantage, as this can enhance communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role within the WFP Country Office in Vientiane, Laos. The contract duration and specific terms of employment will be outlined in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated based on merit and qualifications. Compensation and benefits will be competitive and in line with WFP's policies.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of eradicating hunger and improving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security globally. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and communities. The organization has received numerous accolades for its work, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant role in addressing global hunger and promoting sustainable development. WFP also emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
Job Overview:
The Programme Policy Officer (PPO) will play a crucial role within the School Meals team at the WFP Country Office in Laos. This position is focused on providing strategic support for the school meals programme, which is a vital initiative aimed at improving food security and nutrition among vulnerable communities. The PPO will be responsible for coordinating and implementing project activities, ensuring that they align with WFP's corporate standards and donor requirements. The role involves collaboration with various technical units within WFP, including nutrition, resilience, social protection, and gender inclusion. The PPO will also work closely with field offices to facilitate the transition from direct implementation by WFP to a supportive role for the Government of Laos in managing the National School Lunch Programme. This transition is essential for ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of school feeding initiatives in the country.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Policy Officer include providing project management support for the WFP school meals portfolio, ensuring that activities are executed according to the workplan and in compliance with WFP standards. The PPO will coordinate with field and antenna offices to plan and implement school feeding activities, which include in-kind food distributions and capacity strengthening for government counterparts. The role requires operational and technical support to ensure effective implementation of school meals activities at various levels, including preparing food release notes and collaborating with logistics teams for accurate food distribution. The PPO will engage with stakeholders at all levels of government and civil society to enhance multisectoral collaboration and support the transition process for schools currently receiving direct support from WFP. Additionally, the PPO will identify challenges and opportunities, conduct analyses, and contribute to the planning and monitoring of programme activities. The role also involves preparing reports on school meals activities and supporting research and assessments related to school feeding.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, International Affairs, Economics, or a related field relevant to international development assistance. Alternatively, a first university degree with additional years of relevant work experience and/or training may be acceptable. A minimum of six years of experience working with NGOs, school feeding, nutrition programming, rural development, or related fields is required. Candidates with three years of experience in the aforementioned sectors and a master’s degree will also be considered. Strong analytical, facilitation, and negotiation skills are essential, along with the ability to work effectively in a team and establish relationships with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, International Affairs, or Economics. Candidates with a first university degree and significant relevant experience may also qualify. Continuous professional development through training and courses related to international development assistance is highly valued.
Experience:
The position requires at least six years of relevant experience in areas such as school feeding, nutrition programming, rural development, or related fields. Candidates with three years of experience and a master’s degree will also be considered. Experience in policy consultations, project development, and management is crucial, as well as a proven track record in delivering community-level development programmes focused on school meals and nutrition.
Languages:
Fluent working knowledge of both Lao and English (Level C) is essential for this position. Candidates with knowledge of additional local Lao languages will have an advantage, as this can enhance communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role within the WFP Country Office in Vientiane, Laos. The contract duration and specific terms of employment will be outlined in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated based on merit and qualifications. Compensation and benefits will be competitive and in line with WFP's policies.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.
