Strategic Advisor
World Food Programme (WFP)
Maseru
Lesotho
January 19, 2026
Full-timeJanuary 19, 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 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 its mission. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, and it strives to create a diverse and inclusive work environment. The organization has been recognized for its efforts, notably being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202
Job Overview:
The Strategic Advisor position is crucial for facilitating high-level engagement with senior government officials and key stakeholders involved in school health and nutrition initiatives in Lesotho. This role is designed to enhance the effective design and implementation of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Technical Assistance Facility, which supports the National School Feeding Programme (NSFP) in the country. The advisor will work closely with the Ministry of Education, local education groups, and other relevant sectors to ensure that the NSFP is effectively supported and that there is increased collaboration among stakeholders. The advisor will also be responsible for advocating for the needs of the NSFP, ensuring alignment with national priorities, and mobilizing high-level participation in consultative workshops and meetings. This position requires a strategic mindset and the ability to navigate complex governmental structures to achieve program objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Strategic Advisor will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including: facilitating strategic dialogues with senior government officials and stakeholders in the school health and nutrition landscape; promoting prioritized activities in the Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) Workplan; participating in high-level meetings to support advocacy and policy dialogue; ensuring clear communication of goals and challenges related to TAF activities; advocating for NSFP needs aligned with national priorities; reviewing and providing feedback on TAF products; mobilizing high-level officials for consultative workshops; providing strategic inputs into stakeholder mapping; co-facilitating meetings; advising on engagement strategies; unblocking barriers to implementation; co-leading institutional strengthening interventions; and contributing to progress reports and documentation of lessons learned. The advisor will also perform any other duties that support high-level engagement and the implementation of the TAF project.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in public administration, education, international development, social sciences, or related fields. Additionally, they should have at least 10 years of senior-level experience in strategic engagement with national governments, particularly with high-level policy and decision-makers. Significant experience in establishing strategic partnerships with development partners at the national level is essential, and global or regional experience will be considered an advantage. The ideal candidate should also have a proven track record of working with a diverse range of stakeholders in fields such as education, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, nutrition, health, social protection, and agriculture.
Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree in relevant fields such as public administration, education, international development, social sciences, or other related disciplines. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of the role and effectively engaging with various stakeholders in the education and nutrition sectors.
Experience:
The role demands a minimum of 10 years of senior-level experience, particularly in strategic engagement with national governments and high-level policy makers. Candidates should have a strong background in establishing partnerships with development partners and experience working with a variety of stakeholders in relevant fields such as education, food security, and health. This level of experience is necessary to navigate the complexities of governmental structures and effectively advocate for the National School Feeding Programme.
Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and for documentation purposes. Knowledge of additional languages, particularly those relevant to the local context in Lesotho, would be considered an asset and beneficial for engaging with a wider range of stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves high-level strategic engagement with government officials and stakeholders. The contract duration and specific compensation details will be outlined in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and supports individuals with disabilities by offering reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. Candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of their background, and all employment decisions are made based on merit and organizational needs.
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 its mission. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, and it strives to create a diverse and inclusive work environment. The organization has been recognized for its efforts, notably being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202
- WFP invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, offering opportunities for career advancement across its global offices. For more information, visit their website at https://www.wfp.org and follow them on social media platforms.
Job Overview:
The Strategic Advisor position is crucial for facilitating high-level engagement with senior government officials and key stakeholders involved in school health and nutrition initiatives in Lesotho. This role is designed to enhance the effective design and implementation of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Technical Assistance Facility, which supports the National School Feeding Programme (NSFP) in the country. The advisor will work closely with the Ministry of Education, local education groups, and other relevant sectors to ensure that the NSFP is effectively supported and that there is increased collaboration among stakeholders. The advisor will also be responsible for advocating for the needs of the NSFP, ensuring alignment with national priorities, and mobilizing high-level participation in consultative workshops and meetings. This position requires a strategic mindset and the ability to navigate complex governmental structures to achieve program objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Strategic Advisor will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including: facilitating strategic dialogues with senior government officials and stakeholders in the school health and nutrition landscape; promoting prioritized activities in the Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) Workplan; participating in high-level meetings to support advocacy and policy dialogue; ensuring clear communication of goals and challenges related to TAF activities; advocating for NSFP needs aligned with national priorities; reviewing and providing feedback on TAF products; mobilizing high-level officials for consultative workshops; providing strategic inputs into stakeholder mapping; co-facilitating meetings; advising on engagement strategies; unblocking barriers to implementation; co-leading institutional strengthening interventions; and contributing to progress reports and documentation of lessons learned. The advisor will also perform any other duties that support high-level engagement and the implementation of the TAF project.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in public administration, education, international development, social sciences, or related fields. Additionally, they should have at least 10 years of senior-level experience in strategic engagement with national governments, particularly with high-level policy and decision-makers. Significant experience in establishing strategic partnerships with development partners at the national level is essential, and global or regional experience will be considered an advantage. The ideal candidate should also have a proven track record of working with a diverse range of stakeholders in fields such as education, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, nutrition, health, social protection, and agriculture.
Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree in relevant fields such as public administration, education, international development, social sciences, or other related disciplines. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of the role and effectively engaging with various stakeholders in the education and nutrition sectors.
Experience:
The role demands a minimum of 10 years of senior-level experience, particularly in strategic engagement with national governments and high-level policy makers. Candidates should have a strong background in establishing partnerships with development partners and experience working with a variety of stakeholders in relevant fields such as education, food security, and health. This level of experience is necessary to navigate the complexities of governmental structures and effectively advocate for the National School Feeding Programme.
Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and for documentation purposes. Knowledge of additional languages, particularly those relevant to the local context in Lesotho, would be considered an asset and beneficial for engaging with a wider range of stakeholders.
Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves high-level strategic engagement with government officials and stakeholders. The contract duration and specific compensation details will be outlined in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and supports individuals with disabilities by offering reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. Candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of their background, and all employment decisions are made based on merit and organizational needs.
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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.