Programme Assistant SC5

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 addressing hunger and promoting security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. WFP's mission is to ensure that no one goes hungry, and it works tirelessly to provide food assistance to those in need, while also focusing on long-term solutions to hunger and malnutrition. The organization is recognized for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply for positions within the organization. WFP has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts to combat hunger and promote peace in conflict-affected areas. To learn more about WFP, visit their official website and follow them on various social media platforms for updates and news.

Job Overview:
The Programme Assistant SC5 position at WFP Sri Lanka's Country Office is crucial for providing specialized programme support that ensures effective delivery of assistance under the United States Department of State (US DOS) US Global award. The job holder will report to the Programme Policy Officer - Community Infrastructure and will be responsible for completing a range of specialized programme processes and activities that require the interpretation of guidelines and practices. The role involves supporting all four components of the US Global award, which include Food Assistance for Assets (FFA), Anticipatory Action (AA), Logistics/NFIs, and Humanitarian Data Assessment & Coordination (HDAC). Given Sri Lanka's vulnerability to natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, and droughts, the Programme Associate will play a critical role in implementing a USD 7.5 million program aimed at assisting 87,000 people by combining conditional cash transfers for rehabilitating irrigation systems, anticipatory cash support to flood-prone households, and strengthening disaster preparedness through coordinated risk assessments and digitalized systems. The position requires a proactive approach to ensure smooth implementation of interventions, compliance with operational guidelines, and effective coordination with various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Programme Assistant include:

• Programme Implementation Support: Ensure that activities across FFA, AA, Logistics/NFIs, and HDAC are implemented in accordance with WFP programme policies, donor requirements, and SOP agreements with the Ministry of Defence. Provide technical and administrative support to field offices and cooperating partners, track programme progress, resource utilization, and beneficiary reach to identify bottlenecks and recommend corrective actions. Support the rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure under FFA, readiness investments under AA, and pre-positioning of NFIs to strengthen household resilience. Facilitate participatory planning processes with communities, integrating protection, gender, and accountability principles.
• Data Management & Reporting: Compile programme data related to cash transfers, NFI distribution, and coordination outputs, and prepare reports for operational decision-making. Record programme data in corporate systems (COMET, SCOPE, Data Library) with accuracy and timeliness. Support the analysis of food security, vulnerability, and disaster preparedness indicators, ensuring compliance with WFP’s data protection and accountability standards.
• Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal counterparts (CBT, Supply Chain, M&E, Protection) to ensure effective collaboration. Support communication and activities with government institutions, NGOs, and UN partners. Provide administrative and technical support to coordination forums such as the Cash Working Group and Logistics Working Group.
• Monitoring & Accountability: Support monitoring missions, including data collection and analysis, ensuring programme activities integrate accountability to affected populations (AAP) and protection principles. Act as a point of contact for resolution of operational queries, escalating issues as necessary.
• Emergency Preparedness & Response: Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to ensure WFP can quickly respond to disasters. Support the pre-positioning of NFIs and readiness for rapid deployment within 72–96 hours. Assist in documenting lessons learned and best practices for resilience and disaster risk financing.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a comprehensive set of qualifications, including familiarity with cash-transfer programmes, anticipatory action frameworks, and logistics/NFI processes. Candidates should possess strong organizational and analytical skills to manage multiple programme streams effectively. Additionally, the ability to handle sensitive beneficiary data with strict adherence to WFP’s data protection and privacy standards is essential. The role demands a willingness to undertake field missions to support programme monitoring and beneficiary engagement, as well as the capacity to facilitate communication with technical teams and contribute to the implementation of programmes.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed secondary school education, along with a post-secondary certificate in a related functional area. Alternatively, an advanced university degree (or equivalent qualification) in a related functional area is acceptable. This educational background ensures that candidates have the necessary foundational knowledge and skills to perform effectively in the role.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a relevant field, with a minimum of one year at a lower grade level. Experience in facilitating communication with technical teams, contributing to the implementation of programmes, and observing or assisting with policy discussions is highly desirable. This level of experience ensures that the candidate is well-prepared to handle the complexities of the role and contribute meaningfully to WFP's mission.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written communication in English is mandatory, along with proficiency in either Sinhala or Tamil. This language requirement is crucial for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and beneficiaries in the region, ensuring that the Programme Assistant can engage with local communities and partners effectively.

Additional Notes:
The position is a Service Contract based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and is open only to Sri Lankan nationals. The deadline for applications is set for 14 September 2026, and candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through the online recruiting system. WFP emphasizes its commitment to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization does not charge any fees for application or recruitment processes, and all employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure a safe and inclusive work environment.