Programme Policy Officer (Agriculture Economist, Market Development) SC9 Islamabad

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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• 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).

About Job

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer (Agricultural Economist Market Development)

Grade: SC9

Type of contract:Service Contract

Duration: 12 Months

Duty Station: Islamabad Pakistan

Date of Publication: 2nd February 2026

Deadline of Application: 16th February 2026

This Vacancy Announcement is for Pakistan Nationals Only.

Note: This vacancy announcement will also be used to build a roster of prequalified applicants for future opportunities within same job profile at the current or lower level in Pakistan.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary medical insurance annual leave parental leave among other benefits.

Important: All educational documents must be verified/attested by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Appointment will be subject to submission of HEC-verified degrees.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Towards the over-arching goal of Zero Hunger the UN World Food Programme in Pakistan is working to strengthen local food systems to promote increased accessibility and consumption of nutritious an effort to support the accessibility and supply of fortified foods to vulnerable populations the WFP Pakistan Country Office is looking to expand the market development projects especially around market demand for locally fortified foods as part of its broader food systems strategy. Additionally WFP will continue to provide technical assistance and expertise through system strengthening initiatives with the Government of Pakistan to support efforts in making national supply chains and markets more nutrition-sensitive and resilient.

The overall purpose of the position is to support the project management and implementation of WFPs market analysis and development activities including WFPs new eVoucher for fortified wheat flour pilot. This role will contribute more broadly to the systems strengthening work streams including providing strategic and technical expertise programmatic support and cross-functional coherence in food systems agricultural economics and market development.
The Programme Policy Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the Food Systems team and more broadly as part of the WFP Pakistan Programme Team based in Islamabad.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Contribute towards the development of strategies for WFP to expand its market development and value chain activities such as the expansion of eVouchers for fortified foods to improve the accessibility of nutritious foods.
2. Provide support in resource mobilisation for future market develop and systems strengthening activities.
3. Lead the project management of existing of eVoucher project plans and processes in coordination with WFP SC and programme teams at country and provincial levels and external partners.
4. Monitor and provide solutions for the efficient implementation of project activities in alignment with project timelines and budget.
5. Liaise with internal and external counterparts to build productive partnerships with counterparts amongst government other national agencies NGOs and private sector to take a strategic and proactive approach to improving market development and systems strengthening
6. Coordinate tasks and manage communications between Provincial and Country offices on the progress of the eVoucher project.
7. Promote a digitalization mind-set looking by default for any opportunity to collect data and operationalize processes in digital form in a way that allows structured reporting and efficiency gains.
8. Provide technical contribution to economic and supply chain network mapping to improve supply chain performance and plan market development activities.
9. Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the development of strategic recommendations to enhance the usability and accessibility of market value chain and CBT research and analysis to support provincial operations and CO management decision making.
responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in areas of work to ensure equal participation of women and men.
11. Any other task in line with the position level and expertise.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:
Advanced University degree preferably in Economics Agricultural Economics Business Administration Logistics Public Policy or another related field or First University degree with additional two (2) years of relevant professional experience.

Experience:

At least three (3) or more post-graduation years of professional/ managerial progressive work experience in agroeconomics Food systems market facilitation retail development business development or support services with the private sector and particularly in rural context gained from reputable organizations.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong analytical and conceptualization skills in support of strategy design and implementation.

• Experience coordinating or project managing CBT activities retail supply chain strategies and/or market development with other units and external partners

• Technical proficiency in using software such as PowerBI R STATA SQL and/or Microsoft Office Suite Products.

• General knowledge of UN system policies rules regulations and procurement procedures is desirable.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Urdu

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered interested candidates are invited to apply via ( Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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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:

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs or spontaneous applications by email.

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• 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.

• 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

• 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.