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, 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 centered around 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, recognizing its efforts in combating hunger and promoting peace. The organization employs a diverse workforce and invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs. WFP operates in numerous countries around the world, working tirelessly to ensure effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people in need.
Job Overview:
The Programme Assistant (DCF) 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 distribution of food and non-food items, resolving routine issues, and ensuring that operations align with WFP standards. The Programme Assistant will collaborate with government counterparts to plan program implementation activities, collect and summarize program data, conduct analyses, and prepare reports to support program reviews and decision-making. This position requires effective communication and collaboration with internal counterparts and cooperating partners to enhance program efficiency and effectiveness. The Programme Assistant will also be responsible for training cooperating partners on WFP operational practices and monitoring tools, ensuring they can independently self-monitor and contribute to WFP's visibility in the coverage areas. Overall, this role is vital for ensuring that WFP's programs are implemented effectively and that the needs of the communities served are met.
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 and non-food items, resolving routine issues, and escalating matters when necessary to ensure compliance with WFP standards; supporting the planning of program implementation activities at the district level in collaboration with relevant government counterparts; 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 program tracking processes; arranging regular meetings with community leaders and cooperating partners to discuss various issues related to project implementation; allocating tasks to counterparts and other staff while providing guidance and on-the-job training; conducting standard training sessions for cooperating partners on WFP operational practices; preparing field mission reports to document program implementation; following standard WFP processes for food and cash assistance in both emergency and non-emergency contexts; and performing other duties as required.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate and a degree in related functional areas such as Agriculture, Education, Community Development, Rural Development, or Environment are desirable. Additionally, candidates should have fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Lao. The role requires 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 preferable. Candidates should demonstrate excellent word processing and Excel skills, experience working in challenging environments with diverse populations, and the ability to communicate clearly with government partners. Knowledge of database management and data analysis is an asset, as is the ability to speak ethnic group languages.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes completion of secondary school education as a minimum. 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 should 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 ideal candidate will have a proven track record of effectively managing projects and collaborating with various stakeholders to achieve program objectives.
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, as it can enhance communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders.
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 role is based in Moonlapamok District, Champasak Province, and involves regular travel to project areas, which may require the use of a motorbike. Candidates must possess a valid driving license. WFP offers an attractive compensation package and is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment. The organization emphasizes the importance of reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment 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 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 centered around 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, recognizing its efforts in combating hunger and promoting peace. The organization employs a diverse workforce and invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs. WFP operates in numerous countries around the world, working tirelessly to ensure effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people in need.
Job Overview:
The Programme Assistant (DCF) 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 distribution of food and non-food items, resolving routine issues, and ensuring that operations align with WFP standards. The Programme Assistant will collaborate with government counterparts to plan program implementation activities, collect and summarize program data, conduct analyses, and prepare reports to support program reviews and decision-making. This position requires effective communication and collaboration with internal counterparts and cooperating partners to enhance program efficiency and effectiveness. The Programme Assistant will also be responsible for training cooperating partners on WFP operational practices and monitoring tools, ensuring they can independently self-monitor and contribute to WFP's visibility in the coverage areas. Overall, this role is vital for ensuring that WFP's programs are implemented effectively and that the needs of the communities served are met.
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 and non-food items, resolving routine issues, and escalating matters when necessary to ensure compliance with WFP standards; supporting the planning of program implementation activities at the district level in collaboration with relevant government counterparts; 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 program tracking processes; arranging regular meetings with community leaders and cooperating partners to discuss various issues related to project implementation; allocating tasks to counterparts and other staff while providing guidance and on-the-job training; conducting standard training sessions for cooperating partners on WFP operational practices; preparing field mission reports to document program implementation; following standard WFP processes for food and cash assistance in both emergency and non-emergency contexts; and performing other duties as required.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate and a degree in related functional areas such as Agriculture, Education, Community Development, Rural Development, or Environment are desirable. Additionally, candidates should have fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Lao. The role requires 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 preferable. Candidates should demonstrate excellent word processing and Excel skills, experience working in challenging environments with diverse populations, and the ability to communicate clearly with government partners. Knowledge of database management and data analysis is an asset, as is the ability to speak ethnic group languages.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes completion of secondary school education as a minimum. 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 should 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 ideal candidate will have a proven track record of effectively managing projects and collaborating with various stakeholders to achieve program objectives.
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, as it can enhance communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders.
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 role is based in Moonlapamok District, Champasak Province, and involves regular travel to project areas, which may require the use of a motorbike. Candidates must possess a valid driving license. WFP offers an attractive compensation package and is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment. The organization emphasizes the importance of reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment 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.
