Programme Policy Officer (Climate and Disaster Risk Financing)
Job Summary
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
12 August 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: TDY - 5 months
UNIT/DIVISION: PRGR
DUTY STATION (City Country): Rome Italy
DURATION: 5 months
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
Climate change multiplies existing threats to food security hunger and malnutrition. It will make disasters more frequent and intense land and water scarce and difficult to access and increases in agricultural productivity even harder to achieve. It will disproportionally impact the most vulnerable people the majority of whom live in fragile areas prone to climate hazards ultimately putting hundreds of millions of people at risk. It is estimated that by 2050 the risk of hunger could increase by 20 percent and child malnutrition is anticipated to be 20 percent higher than it would have been without a climate change scenario.
WFP approaches the challenge of climate change from the point of view of its impact on hunger and malnutrition. WFPs work on climate risk management focuses on enhancing the resilience of food insecure communities and countries helping them adapt to more frequent and intense climatic events. The Climate and Resilience policies have been a major step to streamline the work on these topics in WFP operations particularly under SO 1 and SO2. If WFP is still testing innovative approaches and products the focus is now on scaling up and streamlining instruments and approaches to help Governments communities to better manage disaster risks in a more effective manner but also to protect and strengthen WFP operations. WFP is working under both SO 1 with macro insurance and SO 2 with inclusive risk finance activities. The integration of macro insurance in WFPs emergency preparedness and response is an innovative and efficient way to implement early action reducing the cost of response. The flagship programme is the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Replica initiative. Implementation of the ARC Replica programme enables WFP to substantively increase the coverage of millions of Africans with climate risk insurance protection while at the same time building the capacity of national governments to respond to large-scale climate shocks. Over the past years the macro insurance portoflio has significantly expanded horizontally to new regions and risk pools (CCRIF PCRIC and SEADRIF) but also to market players (pilot in Syria and Afghanistan) and to more catastrophic insurance products (in Africa). WFP is currently developing a Disaster Risk Financing (DRF) architecture to streamling this portfolio into corporate systems and has joined the Sevilla Platform for Action (SPA) on prearranged financing for crisis response.
This TDY is reporting to the Lead DRF Advisor in WFPs Climate and Resilience Service (PRGR) and sits within the Macro level DRF team. The team provides technical guidance and support to a range of activities that support macro insurance systems. With a specialized DRF team PRGR keeps integrating innovative climate risk management instruments into WFP Country Strategies and Programmes as well as linkages with wider initiatives like the Global Shield against Climate Risks and support to wider proposals under the Fund for Loss and Damage (FRLD). The aim of the TDY is to help the macro DRF team to develop a more ambitious framework for partnerships in particular with the private sector and IFIs to develop new models of resources generation develop specific proposals to be submitted to potential donors and secure new resources to continue and advance the achievements of this portfolio beyond June 2027 which is when current funding ends.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
resource mobilization and donor engagement for WFPs macrolevel disaster risk financing(DRF) portfolio during the maternity leave period.
engagement with priority donors including FCDO Global Affairs Canada (GAC) theGlobal Shield Financing Facility (GSFF) and other donors as identified.
a resource mobilization approach that supports maintenance of the existing macrolevelDRF portfolio until at least 2028.
maintain and regularly update a macrolevel DRF funding pipeline and donorengagement plan aligned with portfolio priorities and grant expiry timelines.
donor briefings narratives and talking points that position macrolevel DRF withinWFPs broader humanitarian financing and emergency preparedness agenda.
closely with the Partnerships Division to ensure alignment visibility and integrationof macrolevel DRF into WFP corporate fundraising messages and donor pitches.
the Guidance note dissemintate to Country Offices (COs) and support COpartnerships and technical teams with their fundraising efforts in country.
the development and submission of funding proposals to existing and new donorsincluding concept notes and full proposals as required.
technical inputs from relevant teams (macrolevel DRF inclusive risk financinggender anticipatory action social protection preparedness and operations) for proposals donorbriefings and reporting. This includes the proposal monitoring with OCHA & UNICEF.
proactive timely communication with existing donors including followup on milestonesevolving portfolio priorities and funding gaps.
the 2026 donor reporting process for macrolevel DRF ensuring country office andregional office inputs are collected synthesized and translated into a coherent donor narrative.
WFP internal reporting accurately reflects macrolevel DRF achievements includingcontributions to CRF indicators Annual Country Reports and other corporate reportingprocesses.
in CRI management meetings and relevant donorfacing fora representing themacrolevel DRF portfolio as required.
senior management in articulating macrolevel DRF as a corporate priority in donorpartner and internal discussions.
closely with the Acting Macro Team Lead to ensure fundraising priorities are aligned withoperational realities delivery capacity and agreed workplans.
the design and resource mobilization plan for the Humanitarian Financing initiativewith the Insurance Development Forum (IDF) covering both macro insurance and inclusive riskfinancing.
with other humanitarian agencies participating in the IDF to strengthen collaborationand coherence around humanitarian insurance approaches.
preparations for the launch of the UN DRF Platform at UNGA and contribute to effortsto translate this advocacy platform into a resourced operational initiative.
on the macrolevel DRF mobilization plan follow developments in the DRF architecturework and identify opportunities to resource its implementation.
to the design and resource mobilization of the Fragility proposal with a particularfocus on engaging private sector stakeholders not yet involved in WFPs DRF portfolio.
funding opportunities and develop targeted advocacy and communication materials toenhance WFPs profile and mobilize resources for disaster risk financing.
other tasks to support the macro-level DRF portfolio as required.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
1. An updated macro level DRF resource mobilization strategy and consolidated funding pipeline covering .
least three major funding proposals submitted or in advanced preparation with identified prioritydonors. Ideally at least one of these with a confirmed multi-year contribution.
3.A set of donor engagement materials (briefing notes pitch decks narratives guidance for PSP andcountry offices) aligned with post 2026 DRF priorities.
internal plan for socializing priority DRF architecture workstreams including recommendationsfor senior management adoption and positioning.
6.A clear handover note summarizing donor engagement status funding pipeline risks and next steps atthe end of the TDY.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education: Advanced University degree or University degree with experience and training/courses in one or more of the following disciplines: economics environmental studies agriculture and food security development studies emergency preparedness or related area
Experience: At least 5 years of post-graduate with experience of WFP (or multilateral) core services such as supply chain partnership programme. Existing experience on partnership with private sector would be a plus.
Proven experience working in the private sector and or IFIs/MDBs ideally both in developed and developing country. Demonstrated entrepreneurship mindstet.
Proven experience in supporting country offices.
Knowledge & Skills: Proficiency in Windows MS Office
Competencies: Cognitive Capacity Teamwork Action Management Innovation Partnering Client Orientation solution driven proactivity.
Languages: Working knowledge of English (proficiency/level C) and intermediate knowledge (intermediate/B) of another UN language (Arabic Chinese French Russian and Spanish).
Working proficiency in French would be considered an asset.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
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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
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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.
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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