Business Support Associate (Innovation)
World Food Programme (WFP)
Kampala
Uganda
January 4, 2026
Full-timeJanuary 4, 2026
Business Support Associate (Innovation)
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 alleviating hunger and improving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and communities.
Job Overview:
The Business Support Associate (Innovation) position is crucial for enhancing WFP Uganda's role as a key partner in innovation. The incumbent will report to the Heads of Partnerships and will collaborate closely with Senior Management, technical units, and regional/global partnership offices. The primary focus will be on implementing innovative solutions that can be scaled effectively to improve food security in Uganda. This role requires a strong understanding of Human-Centered Design and design thinking techniques to identify and develop impactful products, services, and processes. The position also involves managing the IGNITE Food Systems innovation program and coordinating with various stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and scaling of innovations.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Business Support Associate will be responsible for several key deliverables:
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Industrial and Product Design, Architecture, Technology, or a related field. Proficiency in Microsoft Suite is required, and candidates with visual illustration capabilities will be given preference. The role demands a strong understanding of design principles and the ability to translate concepts into functional prototypes.
Educational Background:
A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Industrial and Product Design, Architecture, or Technology is essential for this position. This educational background provides the necessary foundation for understanding design processes and innovation strategies that are critical for the role.
Experience:
Candidates should have relevant experience in product design, innovation management, or a related field. Experience with Human-Centered Design and design thinking methodologies is highly desirable. Familiarity with managing projects and collaborating with diverse teams will also be beneficial.
Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the regions in which WFP operates.
Additional Notes:
This position is based in Kampala, Uganda, and the application deadline is set for 3 December 202
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 alleviating hunger and improving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and communities.
Job Overview:
The Business Support Associate (Innovation) position is crucial for enhancing WFP Uganda's role as a key partner in innovation. The incumbent will report to the Heads of Partnerships and will collaborate closely with Senior Management, technical units, and regional/global partnership offices. The primary focus will be on implementing innovative solutions that can be scaled effectively to improve food security in Uganda. This role requires a strong understanding of Human-Centered Design and design thinking techniques to identify and develop impactful products, services, and processes. The position also involves managing the IGNITE Food Systems innovation program and coordinating with various stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and scaling of innovations.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Business Support Associate will be responsible for several key deliverables:
- Supporting the implementation of the Ugandan Innovation Strategy by designing, developing, and delivering impactful products, services, and processes aimed at increasing food security.
- Utilizing Human-Centered Design and design thinking techniques to identify and scale innovations that are desirable, feasible, and viable.
- Managing the IGNITE Food Systems innovation program, including organizing events and collaborating with the WFP Innovation Hub for Eastern Africa.
- Acting as the country office's point of contact for product, service, and process design, creating design concepts and drawings, and presenting ideas for team brainstorming.
- Suggesting improvements to enhance the design and performance of products and services.
- Conducting research on relevant technologies and market trends to inform design concepts.
- Coordinating with the program team to ensure effective communication and operational efficiency.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Industrial and Product Design, Architecture, Technology, or a related field. Proficiency in Microsoft Suite is required, and candidates with visual illustration capabilities will be given preference. The role demands a strong understanding of design principles and the ability to translate concepts into functional prototypes.
Educational Background:
A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Industrial and Product Design, Architecture, or Technology is essential for this position. This educational background provides the necessary foundation for understanding design processes and innovation strategies that are critical for the role.
Experience:
Candidates should have relevant experience in product design, innovation management, or a related field. Experience with Human-Centered Design and design thinking methodologies is highly desirable. Familiarity with managing projects and collaborating with diverse teams will also be beneficial.
Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the regions in which WFP operates.
Additional Notes:
This position is based in Kampala, Uganda, and the application deadline is set for 3 December 202
- The role is full-time and offers a competitive compensation package, which will be detailed in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and emphasizes the importance of submitting accurate and complete application profiles.
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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.
