Senior Program Officer, Private Sector Delivery
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Home Based Online
January 4, 2026
Full-timeJanuary 4, 2026
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 pave the way for 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 nutrition. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and communities. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, notably being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202
Job Overview:
The Programme Assistant (DCF) position at WFP is primarily focused on supporting the implementation of food assistance programs at the district level. The role involves working closely with government counterparts and internal teams to ensure effective collaboration and monitoring of ongoing projects. The Programme Assistant will be stationed at the District Education Sport Bureau (DESB) and the District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO) in Khong districts, Champasack province. This position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving, as the assistant will need to verify planned movements and distributions of food and non-food items, ensuring compliance with WFP standards. The Programme Assistant will also be responsible for collecting and analyzing program data, preparing reports, and facilitating communication between community leaders and cooperating partners. This role is crucial in ensuring that WFP's humanitarian assistance reaches those in need efficiently and effectively, contributing to the overall mission of the organization.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Assistant will have a variety of key responsibilities, including but not limited to: verifying planned movements and distributions of food or non-food items, resolving routine issues, and escalating concerns as necessary to maintain operational quality. The assistant will support planning for program implementation activities at the district level, collaborating with relevant government counterparts. They will work closely with internal teams to facilitate effective collaboration and monitoring of ongoing project activities. The role involves collecting and summarizing assistance program data, conducting analyses, and preparing reports to support program reviews and decision-making processes. The Programme Assistant will liaise with cooperating partners and internal counterparts to gather feedback and improve services. Regular meetings with community leaders and partners will be arranged to discuss various operational issues, ensuring effective communication and project implementation. The assistant will also allocate tasks to counterparts and provide guidance and training to enhance their performance. Standard training sessions for cooperating partners on WFP operational practices will be conducted to promote self-monitoring and visibility of WFP in the coverage areas. Additionally, the Programme Assistant will prepare field mission reports to document program implementation and follow standard WFP processes for food and cash assistance in both emergency and non-emergency contexts. Other duties may be assigned as required.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Programme Assistant position must possess a completion of secondary school education as a minimum requirement. A post-secondary certificate or degree in related fields such as Agriculture, Education, Community Development, Rural Development, or Environment is desirable. Fluency in both oral and written English and Lao is mandatory, as effective communication is essential for this role. Candidates should demonstrate relevant working experience, particularly in community development, agriculture support, rural development, or school feeding programs, with a preference for at least five years of experience in these sectors. Strong word processing and Excel skills are essential, along with the ability to work in challenging environments and interact with diverse populations. Knowledge of database management and data analysis is an asset, as is the ability to communicate clearly with government partners. A valid driving license and the ability to travel to project areas by motorbike are also required.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Programme Assistant position includes a minimum of secondary school education. However, candidates with a post-secondary certificate or a degree in relevant functional areas such as Agriculture, Education, Community Development, Rural Development, or Environment will be preferred. This educational foundation is important for understanding the complexities of the programs and the communities served by WFP.
Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least five years of relevant working experience in sectors such as community development, agriculture support, rural development, or school feeding programs. Experience working with technical teams and contributing to program implementation is highly desirable. Candidates should have a proven track record of effectively managing projects and collaborating with various stakeholders to achieve program goals.
Languages:
Fluency in both English and Lao is mandatory for this position, as effective communication in both languages is crucial for interacting with community members, government partners, and internal teams. Additionally, the ability to speak ethnic group languages is considered an asset, enhancing the Programme Assistant's ability to engage with diverse communities.
Additional Notes:
This position is a Service Contract for Lao Nationals only, with a duration of one year and the possibility of extension. The role is based in Khong districts, Champasack province, and is classified at the SC5 grade level. WFP emphasizes an inclusive work environment and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization does not charge any fees for applications or recruitment processes, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process. Candidates are encouraged to ensure their profiles are complete and accurate before submitting their applications, which should include a professional CV and cover letter in English.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to pave the way for 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 nutrition. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and communities. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, notably being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202
- The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce, encouraging individuals from various backgrounds to apply for positions. WFP also invests in the professional development of its employees through training, mentorship, and opportunities for internal mobility, fostering a dynamic and supportive work environment.
Job Overview:
The Programme Assistant (DCF) position at WFP is primarily focused on supporting the implementation of food assistance programs at the district level. The role involves working closely with government counterparts and internal teams to ensure effective collaboration and monitoring of ongoing projects. The Programme Assistant will be stationed at the District Education Sport Bureau (DESB) and the District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO) in Khong districts, Champasack province. This position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving, as the assistant will need to verify planned movements and distributions of food and non-food items, ensuring compliance with WFP standards. The Programme Assistant will also be responsible for collecting and analyzing program data, preparing reports, and facilitating communication between community leaders and cooperating partners. This role is crucial in ensuring that WFP's humanitarian assistance reaches those in need efficiently and effectively, contributing to the overall mission of the organization.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Assistant will have a variety of key responsibilities, including but not limited to: verifying planned movements and distributions of food or non-food items, resolving routine issues, and escalating concerns as necessary to maintain operational quality. The assistant will support planning for program implementation activities at the district level, collaborating with relevant government counterparts. They will work closely with internal teams to facilitate effective collaboration and monitoring of ongoing project activities. The role involves collecting and summarizing assistance program data, conducting analyses, and preparing reports to support program reviews and decision-making processes. The Programme Assistant will liaise with cooperating partners and internal counterparts to gather feedback and improve services. Regular meetings with community leaders and partners will be arranged to discuss various operational issues, ensuring effective communication and project implementation. The assistant will also allocate tasks to counterparts and provide guidance and training to enhance their performance. Standard training sessions for cooperating partners on WFP operational practices will be conducted to promote self-monitoring and visibility of WFP in the coverage areas. Additionally, the Programme Assistant will prepare field mission reports to document program implementation and follow standard WFP processes for food and cash assistance in both emergency and non-emergency contexts. Other duties may be assigned as required.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Programme Assistant position must possess a completion of secondary school education as a minimum requirement. A post-secondary certificate or degree in related fields such as Agriculture, Education, Community Development, Rural Development, or Environment is desirable. Fluency in both oral and written English and Lao is mandatory, as effective communication is essential for this role. Candidates should demonstrate relevant working experience, particularly in community development, agriculture support, rural development, or school feeding programs, with a preference for at least five years of experience in these sectors. Strong word processing and Excel skills are essential, along with the ability to work in challenging environments and interact with diverse populations. Knowledge of database management and data analysis is an asset, as is the ability to communicate clearly with government partners. A valid driving license and the ability to travel to project areas by motorbike are also required.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Programme Assistant position includes a minimum of secondary school education. However, candidates with a post-secondary certificate or a degree in relevant functional areas such as Agriculture, Education, Community Development, Rural Development, or Environment will be preferred. This educational foundation is important for understanding the complexities of the programs and the communities served by WFP.
Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least five years of relevant working experience in sectors such as community development, agriculture support, rural development, or school feeding programs. Experience working with technical teams and contributing to program implementation is highly desirable. Candidates should have a proven track record of effectively managing projects and collaborating with various stakeholders to achieve program goals.
Languages:
Fluency in both English and Lao is mandatory for this position, as effective communication in both languages is crucial for interacting with community members, government partners, and internal teams. Additionally, the ability to speak ethnic group languages is considered an asset, enhancing the Programme Assistant's ability to engage with diverse communities.
Additional Notes:
This position is a Service Contract for Lao Nationals only, with a duration of one year and the possibility of extension. The role is based in Khong districts, Champasack province, and is classified at the SC5 grade level. WFP emphasizes an inclusive work environment and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization does not charge any fees for applications or recruitment processes, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process. Candidates are encouraged to ensure their profiles are complete and accurate before submitting their applications, which should include a professional CV and cover letter in English.
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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.
