Ad Interim Assistant Executive Director, Workplace Management

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

11 September 2026-23:59-GMT01:00 Central European Time (Rome)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race colour national origin ethnic or social background genetic information gender gender identity and/or expression sexual orientation religion or belief HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the worlds largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse committed skilled and high performing teams selected on merit operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment living WFPs values (Integrity Collaboration Commitment Humanity and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP visit our website: follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive diverse and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training accreditation coaching mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country regional and global offices around the world and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

Assistant Executive Director Workplace and
Management
:
TBC
ABOUT WFP:
The World Food Programme is the worlds largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict disasters and the impact of climate change.
OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking an Assistant Executive Director (United Nations Assistant Secretary-General level) who will be a member of WFPs Senior Leadership Group. It is expected that the incumbent would have overarching responsibility and play a vital role in steering the diverse operational facets of Management Services Security Human Resources and the promotion of Wellness within the organization. The AED would ensure the harmonious and efficient integration of these functions fostering a culture of excellence inclusivity and well-being. The AED Workplace and Management would uphold WFPs position as a trusted partner within the UN community and its partners leading efforts that contribute to the UN Reform agenda with a focus on empowering managers and staff simplifying processes increasing transparency and improving the delivery of our mandate.
1. As a member of WFPs cohesive senior leadership team work closely with the Executive Director Deputy Executive Director and COO Assistant Executive Directors and other senior leaders to develop and implement policies strategies and programmes that advance WFPs mission and goals.
2. Provide comprehensive strategic direction and guidance across various operational functions within WFPs Workplace and Management Department that align with the WFPs mandate and goals.
3. Offer strategic leadership in integrating management functions across the organization to ensure effective coordination and alignment.
4. Foster a culture of accountability transparency and continuous improvement.
5. Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture that values diversity equity and inclusion and fosters an environment of respect and collaboration.
6. Act as a role model setting an example of the highest standards of integrity for all staff through personal behaviour.
7. Engage and represent WFP in high-level fora (e.g. United Nations Governments Executive Board Humanitarian and Development Communities etc.) asserting the organizations position and ensuring that WFP interests are at the forefront of discussions and considerations.
8. Lead and foster inter-agency partnerships to enable coordinated and holistic preparedness and response to humanitarian and development needs ensuring WFP actions complement inter-agency efforts.
9. Promote and set the tone for innovation efficiency and effectiveness.
10. Other accountabilities as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Education:
An advanced university degree in Organizational Development Business Administration Leadership Public Administration or a related field.
Experience:
A minimum of 20 years of progressively responsible experience in management administration or other relevant fields.
Knowledge & Skills:
Strong track record of leadership and strategic management at the international level preferably in humanitarian or development sectors
Proven experience in successfully managing and leading roles with significant breadth and complexity.
Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and persuade at the highest levels.
Demonstrated experience in fostering a culture of respect collaboration and inclusion.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills with the ability to think strategically and analytically.
High level of emotional intelligence with the ability to manage complex and challenging situations with empathy and tact.

Impeccable personal and professional integrity.
Firm commitment to the work objectives values and guiding principles of WFP and the United Nations system
Able to provide leadership and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Willingness to travel to different locations worldwide often in challenging and remote environments.
Language:
Fluency (level C) in English language.
Working knowledge of a second official UN language: Arabic Chinese French Russian Spanish and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language) highly desirable
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract at the Assistant Secretary-General level with a probationary period of one year.
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package including basic salary post adjustment relocation entitlement travel and shipment allowances 30 days annual leave as well as expatriate entitlements such as home leave an education grant for dependent children and compulsory pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit .
The role is subject to approval of the reorganized structure.
HOW TO

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation please contact:

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application processing training interviewing testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee please disregard it. Furthermore please note that emblems logos names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email LinkedIn or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete and that all sections are filled in including your employment history academic qualifications language skills and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application you may contact us at . Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport certificates recommendation letters etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs job requirements merit and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse all forms of discrimination any kind of harassment sexual harassment and abuse of authority. Therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) FAO Finance Committee WFP External Auditor WFP Audit Committee Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.