Programme Policy Officer (Child Safeguarding and Child Protection Mainstreaming)
Job Summary
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
1 October 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).
TYPE OF CONTRACT:Regular Consultant level II
UNIT/DIVISION:Gender Protection and Inclusion Unit/ PO
DUTY STATION (City Country):Home based
DURATION:11 months
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
In line with increasing donor expectations emerging safeguarding standards across the humanitarian sector and WFPs Strategic Plan commitment to uphold zero tolerance for child exploitation abuse and harm this assignment will support the strengthening of WFPs approach to child safeguarding while also advancing the integration of child protection considerations into programme design and implementation.
The Programme Policy Officer will lead the development and institutionalization of WFPs Child Safeguarding Framework including the elaboration consultation approval and operationalization of the Executive Directors Circular on Child Safeguarding. The position will also provide technical support to strengthen child protection mainstreaming across selected programme areas ensuring that WFP assistance is delivered in a safe inclusive and child-sensitive manner.
Sitting within the Design and Capacity Strengthening Team in GPI the consultant will support corporate guidance capacity strengthening CSP design and country office support with a particular focus on translating safeguarding commitments into operational practice.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive):
The assignment will be organized around four priority workstreams:
Lead the development and operationalization of WFPs Child Safeguarding Framework
Lead the drafting revision consultation clearance and approval process for the Executive Directors Circular on Child Safeguarding.
Coordinate consultations with HQ divisions Regional Bureaux Country Offices and external stakeholders.
Develop supporting guidance tools SOPs and implementation materials required to operationalize the Circular.
Support the establishment of governance accountability and implementation arrangements for child safeguarding.
Contribute to the development of corporate learning and awareness-raising initiatives related to child safeguarding.
Support engagement with donors and partners on child safeguarding commitments and standards.
Strengthen integration of Child Safeguarding and Child Protection Considerations into Programme Design
Provide technical support to Country Offices on integrating child safeguarding and child protection considerations into programme design and implementation.
Support CSP development and review processes including FAR roll-outs ensuring that relevant child protection risks barriers and opportunities are reflected where appropriate.
Advise on child-sensitive programme design across relevant programme areas including school meals resilience emergency assistance and social protection.
Promote the use of integrated context and risk analyses to identify risks affecting children and opportunities to improve programme quality.
Strengthen GPI Capacity and Learning
Support the integration of child safeguarding and child protection considerations into People-Centred Approaches (PCA) trainings and related capacity-strengthening initiatives.
Deliver and support trainings on child safeguarding child protection mainstreaming safe referrals and people-centred programming.
Work with Regional and Country Office GPI colleagues to identify capacity gaps and learning priorities.
Support the development of practical tools guidance and learning materials for Country Offices and cooperating partners.
Evidence Learning and Partnerships
Support the generation and dissemination of evidence on child safeguarding and child protection mainstreaming across WFP operations.
Strengthen collaboration with specialized child protection actors UN agencies and NGOs.
Contribute to the integration of child safeguarding and child protection considerations in corporate frameworks including FAR and GPI minimum standards.
Support learning and exchange between Country Offices on good practices and operational innovations.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
The deliverables will be confirmed at the beginning of the assignment to ensure they match the latest developments and will include:
- Executive Directors Circular on Child Safeguarding finalized and approved.
- Child protection considerations integrated into relevant GPI frameworks including minimum standards and FAR.
- Technical support provided to CSP development and review processes on child safeguarding and child protection mainstreaming.
- PCA and other relevant GPI training materials updated to reflect child safeguarding and child protection considerations.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
A postgraduate qualification in development studies gender international development sociology other development-related fields.
Experience:
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in protection of which at least 5 years are focused on providing technical assistance programme design implementation monitoring reporting or evidence generation on child protection.
Previous experience working in emergency and humanitarian settings.
Previous exposure to WFP operations including providing technical GPI support.
Experience in working on policies desirable.
Knowledge & Skills:
- Proactive attitude with initiative and a sense of accountability. Ability to provide technical advice that is actionable and can be understood by diverse stakeholders. Ability to develop user-friendly guidance. Team player. Excellent interpersonal communication and facilitation skills (written and oral). Ability to work productively and in an organized fashion.
Languages:
English is required French is desirable.
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.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
About Company
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest an ... View more