Assistant Executive Director, Programme Operations
Assistant Executive Director, Programme Operations
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Job Description
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
21 September 2025-23:59-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).
OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE
The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking an Assistant Executive Director (United Nations Assistant Secretary-General level) to serve as a core member of its Senior Leadership Group. This role is pivotal in steering WFPs global programme operations encompassing assessment and analysis programme and policy development and supply chain operations. The AED plays a crucial role in ensuring that WFPs actions effectively support people communities and nations in meeting urgent needs during emergencies reducing vulnerabilities and improving food securitywhile leading efforts to deliver on WFPs dual mandate of saving lives and changing lives through agile inclusive and forward-looking operations.
The AED Programme Operations will champion initiatives to empower women and youth support refugees and displaced communities combat malnutrition and ensure every hungry child benefits from a nutritious school meal. The AED will also play a critical role in advancing WFPs 2026-2029 Strategic Plan theUN80 reform agenda and ensuring WFPs leadership ininnovationclimate resilience andlocalization. The role demands strategic foresight operational excellence and an unwavering commitment to humanitarian principles and sustainable development.
EXPECTED RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide strategic and visionary leadership across WFPs Programme Operations Department ensuring alignment with WFPs mandate and goals and addressing urgent food security and humanitarian challenges.
Foster and enhance global partnerships focused on empowering women and youth supporting refugees and displaced populations combating malnutrition and ensuring access to school meals for children.
Champion WFPs contribution to the UN80 Initiative by championing operational efficiency mandate alignment and structural reform ensuring WFP remains a model of innovation and cost-effectiveness within the UN system.
Maintain relations with relevant actors including other United Nations agencies entities and bodies with Member States to ensure coordinated holistic responses to humanitarian and development needs positioning WFP actions to complement and enhance broader inter-agency efforts.
Drive the implementation of WFPs Strategic and Management Plans by enhancing emergency response capabilities supporting national systems and fostering a culture of innovation and digital transformation.
Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture that values diversity equity and inclusion fostering an environment of respect and collaboration across all levels of the organization.
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.
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.
Foster a culture of accountability transparency and continuous improvement setting high standards of integrity and ethical behavior for all staff.
Undertake additional responsibilities as required to support WFPs mission and the Senior Leadership Group.
CORE REQUIREMENTS
Education:
Advanced degree (Masters or Doctorate) in International Development Policy Business Administration Supply Chain management Agriculture Food Security Economics Social Sciences or a related field.
Experience:
A minimum of 20 years of progressively responsible experience in programme management policy development and supply chain operations preferably in humanitarian or development contexts with significant leadership experience at the international level.
Knowledge & Skills:
Proven strategic leadership in managing large-scale operations particularly in emergencies and development contexts or a complex global portfolio.
Strong track record in establishing and sustaining global partnerships with an emphasis on empowering diverse communities and supporting populations in need across various humanitarian and development contexts.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and engage at the highest levels.
Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of respect collaboration and inclusion with a strong commitment to diversity and gender equity.
Successfully managed a significant budget and operating plan and a multi-disciplinary team of experts across a variety of job functions.
High level of emotional intelligence with the ability to navigate complex and challenging situations with empathy and tact.
Impeccable personal and professional integrity with a firm commitment to the values and principles of WFP and the United Nations system.
Demonstrated experience in leading innovation and promoting operational efficiency in complex environments.
Strong networking and relationship-building skills supported by a well-established network of international stakeholders and partners.
Willingness to travel globally often to challenging and remote environments.
Language:
Fluency (level C) in English is required.
Working knowledge of a second official UN language (Arabic Chinese French Russian Spanish) or Portuguese (a WFP working language) is 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. For this position the initial appointment shall be for a fixed term of two years with the potential for extension.
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package including basic salary post adjustment relocation entitlement travel and shipment allowances 30 days of 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 .
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
We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate complete and includes your employment records academic qualifications language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport recommendation letters academic certificates etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
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:
Director
Employment Type
Full-Time
