Senior Program Officer, Private Sector Delivery
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Home Based Online
January 4, 2026
Full-timeJanuary 4, 2026
Programme Assistant (District Community Facilitator)
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 pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for individuals recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates globally, with a mission centered on the belief that food is a fundamental human right and that everyone deserves access to it. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. WFP has received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts worldwide. The organization fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment, investing in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs. WFP operates in numerous countries, providing humanitarian assistance to millions of people in need, and aims to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
Job Overview:
The Programme Assistant (District Community Facilitator) will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of WFP's programs at the district level. This position is based at the District Education Sport Bureau (DESB) and the District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO), where the Programme Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Associate and the overall supervision of the Head of the Field Office. The primary functions of this role include verifying the planned movements and distributions of food and non-food items, ensuring that operations align with WFP standards. The Programme Assistant will collaborate with government counterparts to plan program implementation activities, exchange information with internal counterparts, and collect and analyze data to support program reviews and decision-making. This position requires a proactive approach to liaising with partners, suggesting improvements to monitoring processes, and facilitating effective communication within the community. The Programme Assistant will also be responsible for training cooperating partners on WFP operational practices and preparing field mission reports to document program implementation.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Assistant will have a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: verifying the planned movements and distribution of food or non-food items, resolving routine issues, and escalating concerns as necessary to ensure compliance with WFP standards; supporting the planning of program implementation activities at the district level in collaboration with relevant government counterparts; working and exchanging information with internal counterparts to facilitate effective collaboration and monitoring of ongoing project activities; collecting and summarizing assistance program data, conducting analyses, and preparing reports to support program reviews; liaising with cooperating partners and internal counterparts to gather feedback and improve services; suggesting improvements to field monitoring processes; arranging regular meetings with community leaders and partners regarding distribution arrangements and other relevant issues; allocating tasks to other staff and providing guidance and training; preparing field mission reports; following standard WFP processes for food and cash assistance; and performing other duties as required.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a completion of secondary school education, with a post-secondary certificate and a degree in related functional areas such as Agriculture, Education, Community Development, Rural Development, or Environment being desirable. Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Lao is mandatory. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of relevant working experience in community development, agriculture support, rural development, or school feeding programs. Experience working with technical teams and contributing to program implementation is also preferred. Desirable knowledge and skills include excellent word processing and Excel skills, experience working in challenging locations with diverse populations, and the ability to communicate effectively with government partners. Knowledge of database management and data analysis is an asset, as is the ability to travel to project areas by motorbike and possess a valid driving license.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes the completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in a relevant field is desirable, and a degree in areas such as Agriculture, Education, Community Development, Rural Development, or Environment is preferred. This educational foundation will equip candidates with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support WFP's programs and initiatives.
Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a minimum of five years of relevant working experience in sectors such as community development, agriculture support, rural development, or school feeding programs. This experience should include working with technical teams and contributing to the implementation of programs. The ability to navigate challenging environments and work with diverse populations is essential for success in this role.
Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Lao is mandatory for this position. Additionally, the ability to speak ethnic group languages is considered an asset, enhancing communication and engagement with local communities.
Additional Notes:
This position is a Service Contract specifically for Lao Nationals only, with a duration of one year and the possibility of extension. The duty station is located in Dakchueng District, Sekong Province. WFP emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment. The organization provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Candidates are reminded to submit a complete application, including a professional CV in English, and to be aware that only shortlisted candidates will be notified. WFP does not charge any fees during the application process.
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 pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for individuals recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates globally, with a mission centered on the belief that food is a fundamental human right and that everyone deserves access to it. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. WFP has received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts worldwide. The organization fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment, investing in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs. WFP operates in numerous countries, providing humanitarian assistance to millions of people in need, and aims to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
Job Overview:
The Programme Assistant (District Community Facilitator) will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of WFP's programs at the district level. This position is based at the District Education Sport Bureau (DESB) and the District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO), where the Programme Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Associate and the overall supervision of the Head of the Field Office. The primary functions of this role include verifying the planned movements and distributions of food and non-food items, ensuring that operations align with WFP standards. The Programme Assistant will collaborate with government counterparts to plan program implementation activities, exchange information with internal counterparts, and collect and analyze data to support program reviews and decision-making. This position requires a proactive approach to liaising with partners, suggesting improvements to monitoring processes, and facilitating effective communication within the community. The Programme Assistant will also be responsible for training cooperating partners on WFP operational practices and preparing field mission reports to document program implementation.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Assistant will have a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: verifying the planned movements and distribution of food or non-food items, resolving routine issues, and escalating concerns as necessary to ensure compliance with WFP standards; supporting the planning of program implementation activities at the district level in collaboration with relevant government counterparts; working and exchanging information with internal counterparts to facilitate effective collaboration and monitoring of ongoing project activities; collecting and summarizing assistance program data, conducting analyses, and preparing reports to support program reviews; liaising with cooperating partners and internal counterparts to gather feedback and improve services; suggesting improvements to field monitoring processes; arranging regular meetings with community leaders and partners regarding distribution arrangements and other relevant issues; allocating tasks to other staff and providing guidance and training; preparing field mission reports; following standard WFP processes for food and cash assistance; and performing other duties as required.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a completion of secondary school education, with a post-secondary certificate and a degree in related functional areas such as Agriculture, Education, Community Development, Rural Development, or Environment being desirable. Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Lao is mandatory. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of relevant working experience in community development, agriculture support, rural development, or school feeding programs. Experience working with technical teams and contributing to program implementation is also preferred. Desirable knowledge and skills include excellent word processing and Excel skills, experience working in challenging locations with diverse populations, and the ability to communicate effectively with government partners. Knowledge of database management and data analysis is an asset, as is the ability to travel to project areas by motorbike and possess a valid driving license.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes the completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in a relevant field is desirable, and a degree in areas such as Agriculture, Education, Community Development, Rural Development, or Environment is preferred. This educational foundation will equip candidates with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support WFP's programs and initiatives.
Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a minimum of five years of relevant working experience in sectors such as community development, agriculture support, rural development, or school feeding programs. This experience should include working with technical teams and contributing to the implementation of programs. The ability to navigate challenging environments and work with diverse populations is essential for success in this role.
Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Lao is mandatory for this position. Additionally, the ability to speak ethnic group languages is considered an asset, enhancing communication and engagement with local communities.
Additional Notes:
This position is a Service Contract specifically for Lao Nationals only, with a duration of one year and the possibility of extension. The duty station is located in Dakchueng District, Sekong Province. WFP emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment. The organization provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Candidates are reminded to submit a complete application, including a professional CV in English, and to be aware that only shortlisted candidates will be notified. WFP does not charge any fees during the application process.
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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.
