National Communications Specialist
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Dili
East Timor
December 5, 2025
Full-timeDecember 5, 2025
Programme Policy Officer/ Deputy Head of Programme, NO-B
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 nutrition. WFP is recognized for its efforts and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its work in combating hunger and promoting security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security globally. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity. WFP is committed to fostering a healthy and inclusive work environment where employees can thrive and contribute to the organization's goals.
Job Overview:
The Programme Policy Officer (PPO) plays a crucial role in supporting the development and implementation of various programs aligned with WFP's corporate standards and donor agreements. The PPO is expected to contribute to the quality implementation of programs and position WFP as a reliable partner for governments and donors. This role involves working closely with junior colleagues and technical experts in areas such as nutrition, social protection, and school feeding, while also providing support to the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) unit as needed. The PPO will report directly to the Head of Programme and will act as the Deputy Head of Programme, collaborating with staff on nutrition, fortification, and social protection/school feeding initiatives. The position requires a proactive approach to program planning, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building, ensuring that WFP's strategic objectives are met effectively.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Required Qualifications:
Education: Advanced university degree in nutrition, public health, social sciences, international development, or a related field. Alternatively, a First University Degree with two years of related work experience and/or training. Desired experience includes a minimum of three years of relevant professional work experience in similar roles, demonstrating experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring complex programs. Proven leadership in program implementation and experience working with UN agencies, NGOs, and government counterparts in collaborative settings. Strong technical expertise in nutrition, social protection, school feeding, and emergency response is essential. Familiarity with humanitarian principles, gender equality, and sustainable development goals is desirable.
Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in nutrition, public health, social sciences, international development, or a related field. A First University Degree with two years of related work experience and/or training may also be acceptable. The educational background should reflect a strong foundation in the relevant fields to ensure effective program planning and implementation.
Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant professional work experience in similar roles. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring complex programs, with a proven track record of achieving results in challenging environments. Experience in leadership roles within program implementation is essential, along with familiarity working with UN agencies, NGOs, and government counterparts in collaborative settings.
Languages:
Fluency in English (level C) and Tetum is mandatory. Knowledge of Portuguese is considered a plus, enhancing communication capabilities within diverse contexts and with various stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
The position is a Fixed Term contract for one year, with the possibility of renewal. It is a full-time role based in Dili, Timor-Leste. WFP offers an attractive compensation package and emphasizes the importance of a diverse and inclusive work environment. The organization is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. All employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications.
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 nutrition. WFP is recognized for its efforts and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its work in combating hunger and promoting security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security globally. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity. WFP is committed to fostering a healthy and inclusive work environment where employees can thrive and contribute to the organization's goals.
Job Overview:
The Programme Policy Officer (PPO) plays a crucial role in supporting the development and implementation of various programs aligned with WFP's corporate standards and donor agreements. The PPO is expected to contribute to the quality implementation of programs and position WFP as a reliable partner for governments and donors. This role involves working closely with junior colleagues and technical experts in areas such as nutrition, social protection, and school feeding, while also providing support to the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) unit as needed. The PPO will report directly to the Head of Programme and will act as the Deputy Head of Programme, collaborating with staff on nutrition, fortification, and social protection/school feeding initiatives. The position requires a proactive approach to program planning, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building, ensuring that WFP's strategic objectives are met effectively.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Programme Planning and Implementation: Support the Head of Programme in developing, planning, and implementing nutrition, school feeding, and social protection programs in alignment with WFP's strategic objectives. Provide technical expertise and guidance to program teams to ensure effective implementation of activities, including intervention strategies, workplans, and budgets. Monitor program progress, identify challenges, and propose solutions to optimize delivery and achieve outcomes. Serve as the Nutrition Focal Point for WFP Timor-Leste, ensuring strategic leadership and representation of WFP’s nutrition agenda.
- Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement: Foster effective partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors, NGOs, and other stakeholders to enhance collaboration in program implementation. Build productive relationships with supply chain colleagues to support an integrated approach to assistance. Represent WFP in relevant inter-agency and sectoral working groups, advocating for WFP's priorities.
- Technical Support and Capacity Building: Provide technical support and capacity building to WFP staff and partners in nutrition, school feeding, and social protection. Facilitate training sessions and workshops to enhance skills and expertise.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting: Oversee monitoring and evaluation of program activities, ensuring adherence to indicators and reporting requirements. Analyze program data to assess progress and inform decision-making. Prepare reports on program achievements and challenges.
- Resource Mobilization and Proposal Development: Contribute to resource mobilization efforts by providing technical inputs for funding proposals and donor reports. Collaborate with Resource Management teams to identify funding opportunities.
- Risk Management and Compliance: Identify potential risks in program implementation and develop mitigation strategies. Ensure compliance with WFP policies and donor requirements.
- Innovation and Knowledge Management: Promote innovation in design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation, incorporating lessons learned. Document and disseminate success stories and research findings.
- Emergency Response & Other Duties: Act in an emergency response capacity as required. Follow emergency preparedness practices to ensure quick response to crises. Undertake other duties as assigned by the Head of Programme or director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director.
Required Qualifications:
Education: Advanced university degree in nutrition, public health, social sciences, international development, or a related field. Alternatively, a First University Degree with two years of related work experience and/or training. Desired experience includes a minimum of three years of relevant professional work experience in similar roles, demonstrating experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring complex programs. Proven leadership in program implementation and experience working with UN agencies, NGOs, and government counterparts in collaborative settings. Strong technical expertise in nutrition, social protection, school feeding, and emergency response is essential. Familiarity with humanitarian principles, gender equality, and sustainable development goals is desirable.
Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in nutrition, public health, social sciences, international development, or a related field. A First University Degree with two years of related work experience and/or training may also be acceptable. The educational background should reflect a strong foundation in the relevant fields to ensure effective program planning and implementation.
Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant professional work experience in similar roles. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring complex programs, with a proven track record of achieving results in challenging environments. Experience in leadership roles within program implementation is essential, along with familiarity working with UN agencies, NGOs, and government counterparts in collaborative settings.
Languages:
Fluency in English (level C) and Tetum is mandatory. Knowledge of Portuguese is considered a plus, enhancing communication capabilities within diverse contexts and with various stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
The position is a Fixed Term contract for one year, with the possibility of renewal. It is a full-time role based in Dili, Timor-Leste. WFP offers an attractive compensation package and emphasizes the importance of a diverse and inclusive work environment. The organization is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. All employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications.
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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.
