Programme Policy Officer - Social Protection
World Food Programme (WFP)
Dili
East Timor
January 4, 2026
Full-timeJanuary 4, 2026
Programme Policy Officer - Social Protection
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, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance as a means to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates globally, with a mission to end hunger and malnutrition, and is recognized for its commitment to diversity and equal employment opportunities. WFP has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts. The organization emphasizes a diverse, inclusive, and multicultural working environment, investing in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mobility opportunities. WFP operates in numerous countries worldwide, working with passionate colleagues dedicated to effective humanitarian assistance.
Job Overview:
The Programme Policy Officer - Social Protection position is crucial for addressing nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition insecurity and the impacts of large-scale shocks and stressors. The role involves supporting national social protection systems in Timor-Leste, particularly through the Integrated Nutrition and Adaptive Social Protection for Increased Resilience Technical Assistance (INSPIRE TA) project. This project aims to develop a robust social protection model that integrates nutrition-sensitive interventions and enhances resilience to economic and environmental shocks. The officer will work closely with the Government of Timor-Leste, particularly the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI), to strengthen strategies that align with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially those focused on Zero Hunger and malnutrition. The position requires a qualified international consultant with expertise in social protection to enhance WFP’s contributions to national systems and support effective, evidence-based social protection and nutrition programs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Policy Officer will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including coordinating the implementation of the BdMK SANUTRIO Project, providing technical support to the MSSI in national social protection plans, and offering strategic guidance on policy and design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design. The officer will also contribute to the development of project processes and tools, maintain partnerships with government entities and development partners, and lead social protection research efforts. Additional responsibilities include preparing progress reports, facilitating capacity-building initiatives for national staff, ensuring efficient internal workflows, and representing WFP in various forums. The role requires proactive management of resources and timelines to ensure timely delivery of project milestones.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in social protection, with demonstrated expertise in policy design and implementation. They should have experience working with government entities and development partners, as well as a solid understanding of nutrition-sensitive interventions. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment. The position requires a commitment to WFP's values and a passion for humanitarian work.
Educational Background:
A relevant advanced degree in social sciences, public policy, international development, or a related field is required. Candidates should have a strong academic background that supports their expertise in social protection and nutrition-related issues.
Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of several years of relevant experience in social protection, preferably in a humanitarian or development context. Experience working with government agencies and international organizations is highly desirable, along with a proven track record of managing complex projects and partnerships.
Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the working language of WFP. Knowledge of Portuguese or Tetum is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of the role.
Additional Notes:
This position is an International Consultancy (Regular Consultant- Level I) with a duration of 11 months. The role is based in Dili, Timor-Leste, and offers an attractive compensation package. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization emphasizes a rigorous selection process, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated based on merit and qualifications.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance as a means to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates globally, with a mission to end hunger and malnutrition, and is recognized for its commitment to diversity and equal employment opportunities. WFP has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts. The organization emphasizes a diverse, inclusive, and multicultural working environment, investing in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mobility opportunities. WFP operates in numerous countries worldwide, working with passionate colleagues dedicated to effective humanitarian assistance.
Job Overview:
The Programme Policy Officer - Social Protection position is crucial for addressing nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition insecurity and the impacts of large-scale shocks and stressors. The role involves supporting national social protection systems in Timor-Leste, particularly through the Integrated Nutrition and Adaptive Social Protection for Increased Resilience Technical Assistance (INSPIRE TA) project. This project aims to develop a robust social protection model that integrates nutrition-sensitive interventions and enhances resilience to economic and environmental shocks. The officer will work closely with the Government of Timor-Leste, particularly the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI), to strengthen strategies that align with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially those focused on Zero Hunger and malnutrition. The position requires a qualified international consultant with expertise in social protection to enhance WFP’s contributions to national systems and support effective, evidence-based social protection and nutrition programs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Policy Officer will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including coordinating the implementation of the BdMK SANUTRIO Project, providing technical support to the MSSI in national social protection plans, and offering strategic guidance on policy and design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design. The officer will also contribute to the development of project processes and tools, maintain partnerships with government entities and development partners, and lead social protection research efforts. Additional responsibilities include preparing progress reports, facilitating capacity-building initiatives for national staff, ensuring efficient internal workflows, and representing WFP in various forums. The role requires proactive management of resources and timelines to ensure timely delivery of project milestones.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in social protection, with demonstrated expertise in policy design and implementation. They should have experience working with government entities and development partners, as well as a solid understanding of nutrition-sensitive interventions. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment. The position requires a commitment to WFP's values and a passion for humanitarian work.
Educational Background:
A relevant advanced degree in social sciences, public policy, international development, or a related field is required. Candidates should have a strong academic background that supports their expertise in social protection and nutrition-related issues.
Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of several years of relevant experience in social protection, preferably in a humanitarian or development context. Experience working with government agencies and international organizations is highly desirable, along with a proven track record of managing complex projects and partnerships.
Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the working language of WFP. Knowledge of Portuguese or Tetum is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of the role.
Additional Notes:
This position is an International Consultancy (Regular Consultant- Level I) with a duration of 11 months. The role is based in Dili, Timor-Leste, and offers an attractive compensation package. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization emphasizes a rigorous selection process, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated based on merit and qualifications.
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Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.
