Programme Policy Officer P3 (Food Systems and Climate Resilience)

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 eradicating 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. The organization has been recognized for its efforts, notably being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202

• WFP emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging candidates from various backgrounds to apply. For more information, visit their website at https://www.wfp.org.

Job Overview:
The Programme Policy Officer (PPO) will lead the Food Systems and Climate Resilience portfolio for WFP in the Kyrgyz Republic. This role is crucial in providing strategic direction, quality assurance, and accountability for the delivery of two strategic outcomes outlined in the Country Strategic Plan (CSP). The PPO will oversee a multidisciplinary team of 13 staff members, driving the design and implementation of scalable program models that connect policy influence with field delivery. This includes linking resilient livelihoods, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and nutrition-sensitive, locally-sourced school meals. The PPO will also position WFP as a trusted technical partner to the government and development partners, translating global evidence and corporate guidance into nationally owned solutions. The role requires effective cross-functional coordination and strategic engagement with various stakeholders, including government counterparts, donors, UN agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), academia, and civil society partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Formulate program policies by translating corporate food systems, climate, and resilience policy into country-level strategies, ensuring alignment with WFP's Strategic Plan and national priorities.
• Provide advice and support to team members on complex issues to ensure consistency with WFP policies and guidance.
• Lead technical discussions on program design choices, including innovative approaches and leveraging school meals as a nutrition-sensitive safety net.
• Assist government counterparts and partners in identifying how food systems and climate resilience can enhance national security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security.
• Build strategic partnerships with various stakeholders to expand locally led solutions and unlock co-financing opportunities.
• Enhance WFP's leadership status in forums related to food systems and climate resilience.
• Manage operational research and learning agendas, ensuring findings inform program improvements.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts, tracking project resource status and risks.
• Develop functional training to enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners. 1
• Lead and motivate a high-performing team. 1
• Ensure effective use of financial resources to achieve objectives. 1
• Contribute to emergency preparedness efforts. 1
• Provide strategic inputs into the design of the next CSP. 1
• Manage an integrated portfolio on food systems and climate resilience, ensuring compliance with donor conditions. 1
• Coordinate with government and development partners to empower national systems. 1
• Oversee the initiation and rollout of new project activities. 1
• Lead the development and refinement of scalable program models. 1
• Contribute to overall office work and tasks beyond the specified duties. 1
• Perform any other tasks as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of five years of relevant post-graduate professional experience related to Climate-smart Agriculture or other Social Sciences relevant to home-grown school feeding. Experience in value chain enhancement, public-private partnerships, and innovative finance is desirable. A research background is considered an asset. Candidates should have a proven track record in implementing or overseeing technical programs related to food systems, agriculture, and nutrition-sensitive social protection, ideally with an understanding of community engagement and farm-to-school approaches.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or a related field relevant to international development assistance is required. Alternatively, a first university degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training may be accepted.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, particularly in implementing or overseeing technical programs related to food systems and climate resilience. Experience in coordinating with national or international partners and providing input into policy discussions is essential. A background in value chain enhancement and community engagement is highly valued.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in English is mandatory. Knowledge of Russian or Kyrgyz, the duty station's languages, is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is a Limited Fixed Term contract with a duration from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 202

• The role is full-time and involves working in a multicultural environment. WFP 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, and all employment decisions are based on organizational needs and individual qualifications.