Programme Policy Officer – Social Protection & Disaster Risk Reduction (SC8)

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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.

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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).

JOB PURPOSE:

The Programme Policy Officer Social Protection & Disaster Risk Reduction will play a key role in supporting the planning implementation and monitoring of WFP projects that address social protection disaster risk reduction (DRR) and anticipatory actions (AA) across multiple strategic objectives. Working under the direct supervision of the Programme Policy Officer Activity Manager (NoA) and overall guidance of the Country Programme Policy Officer (NoB) the incumbent will ensure technical planning and coordination of interventions at GN DS district provincial and national levels in close collaboration with government counterparts and local partners. The role involves designing and managing programmes that strengthen food security nutrition and resilience to shocks while ensuring alignment with WFP standards and local contexts. The officer will also contribute to evidence generation capacity building and advocacy to enhance national systems for AA DRR and social protection.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive nor exhaustive):
1. Design implement and monitor AA DRR Disaster Management and social protection programmes addressing food security nutrition and shocks aligned with WFP corporate policies.
2. Lead the development of AA DRR AA and Disaster Management and social protection projects plans and processes consistent with programme guidance.
3. Provide project management support to AA DRR and social protection initiatives ensuring coordination with wider programmes and compliance with WFP standards.
4. Maintain data collection monitoring and cash assistance reconciliation systems with government counterparts ensuring rigorous quality standards in collaboration with the M&E Unit.
5. Conduct research and analyse policy and operational issues distilling best practices to inform AA DRR DM and social protection programme design and adaptation.
6. Prepare accurate timely reports on DRR and social protection programmes coordinating communication through the Community Feedback Mechanism Unit to support decision-making and stakeholder engagement.
7. Support advocacy and evidence generation for stronger national AA DRR DM and social protection systems in collaboration with government and partners.
8. Engage civil society and communities in risk-sensitive DRR and social protection planning ensuring meaningful participation.
9. Integrate gender analysis and nutrition-sensitive approaches into AA DRR and social protection programme design advancing WFPs Gender Equality strategy.
10. Build and maintain partnerships with government entities UN agencies IFIs academia civil society and development partners to strengthen AA DRR and social protection systems.

11. Strengthen capacity of WFP staff partners and government for shock-responsive DRR social protection and emergency preparedness through training and technical support.
12. Provide guidance to staff acting as a point of referral and assisting with analysis and queries related to DRR and social protection.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:
Advanced University degree (masters degree) in Economics Social Policy Social Sciences International Development Disaster Management Disaster Risk Management or related fields or bachelors degree with additional years of work experience.

Experience:

• At least one (1) year of Postgraduate Professional Experience (experience in a managerial/ supervisory/advisory and/ or in a decision-making role) in the relevant field is required.

• (Having three (3) years with the advanced university degree (masters) or bachelors degree with Five (5) years or additional years of related work experience and/ or trainings/courses at national or international level in the fields of disaster management social protection and humanitarian sectors such as food assistance or social protection; is desirable.)

• Proven expertise in technical assistance policy analysis guidance and operational support with the ability to translate information into actionable recommendations for governments and partners.

• Experience in collaborating with UN agencies donors NGOs and government institutions.

• Familiarity with Cash-Based Transfers and demonstrated ability to manage cross-agency collaboration research and policy advocacy to strengthen social protection and DRR systems.

• Capacity to manage and prioritize workload with excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to lead a team from different units of a supervisory roles.

• Strong analytical skills.

Language:
Fluency (level C) in English language and Sinhala/ Tamil

Position Title:Programme Policy Officer Social
Protection & Disaster Risk Reduction

Contract Type:Service Contract

Contract Duration:12 months (with possible extension)

Duty Station:Colombo Sri Lanka

Nationality:Nationals only

Date of Publication:03.12.2025

Deadline of Application: 17.12.2025

This vacancy announcement is for Nationals only.

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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

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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.