Programme Policy Officer ( Food Systems) - NOA - Mogadishu

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

22 July 2026-23:59-GMT+03:00 East Africa Time (Mogadishu)

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 world’s 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 WFP's 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: https://www.wfp.org and 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).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. WFP Somalia’s five-year Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2026-2030 emphasizes resilience building, recognizing the interconnected nature of relief, nutrition, safety nets, food systems, capacity strengthening, and partnerships.

Under SDG2, WFP focuses on strengthening sustainable food systems and value chains to improve access to nutritious diets and reduce the impact of climate-related shocks. This position will support the implementation of climate smart food systems, livelihoods, and resilience interventions in South Central Area office, complementing activities in relief, nutrition, school feeding, social protection, and capacity strengthening. The Programme Policy Officer (Food Systems) will provide technical and operational support in planning, implementing, and coordinating food systems and resilience activities in South and central Somali, and across the Area Office. The role requires strong contextual understanding of Somalia and South and central Somali, and the ability to apply programme guidelines to deliver integrated interventions for vulnerable communities.

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme– South Central Area Office and receive technical guidance from the Strategic Outcome Three (Climate Smart Food Systems) Manager at the Country Office. The PPO – Food Systems will closely collaborate with technical units (Nutrition, School Feeding, Partnerships, Gender & Inclusion, Monitoring & Evaluation, etc.), government counterparts, UN agencies, and NGOs

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority)

• Contribute to the implementation of WFP Somalia’s CSP 2022-2025 and corporate policies aligned with national strategies on economic development and social protection.
• Analyze technical and policy documents, strategies, and data related to food systems, livelihoods, and resilience, and translate findings into WFP’s thematic focus areas.
• Provide technical and supervisory support for effective implementation of food systems & resilience activities, particularly food value chains involving smallholder farmers and cooperatives.
• Collaborate with technical units and partners to translate food systems initiatives and policies into field activities.
• Support programme development, project design, and contribute to resource mobilization for CSP activities.
• Develop and review technical papers, guidelines, and information materials related to food systems, agricultural value chains, market systems, climate change, and partnerships.
• Coordinate with government ministries, UN agencies, academic institutions, and private sector partners to strengthen collaboration and provide technical assistance.
• Supervise cooperating partners, monitor progress, and ensure timely delivery of outputs.
• Assess capacity building needs of partners and beneficiaries, develop training materials, and provide technical guidance.
• Support monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge management of food systems and resilience projects, ensuring timely reporting and documentation.
• Participate in meetings, workshops, consultations, and field visits to strengthen partnerships and programme delivery.
• Provide technical assistance to other WFP units to ensure food systems and resilience programmes are nutrition sensitive and climate resilient.
• Review and verify reports, ensuring accuracy and consistency of data presented to stakeholders.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Education: Advanced University Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agronomy, Environment and Climate Change, Rural Development or any other related field OR First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses

Experience: At least one (1) year of relevant experience with advanced University Degree OR First University degree with a minimum of three (3) or more years of experience in programme implementation, preferably in agriculture value chains, food systems, or resilience programming, monitoring technical activities related to irrigation, production, post‑harvest management, and market access with smallholder farmers or other relevant fields

Language: Fluent knowledge (proficiency/level C) of English and Somali language.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong analytical and report writing skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver results under pressure.
• Knowledge of UN policies, rules, and procedures is an asset.
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
• Proficiency in Windows and MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

This position is open to qualified Somali national candidates only. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. WFP Somalia offers female friendly spaces in the workplace.​

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: global.inclusion@wfp.org

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 global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. 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.