Programme Policy Officer (Head of Access), CST II

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

30 March 2026-23:59-GMT+02:00 Central Africa Time (Juba)

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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 TITLE: Programme Policy Officer (Head of Access)

TYPE OF CONTRACT: International Consultancy level 2 (CST-2)

UNIT/DIVISION: Access unit

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Juba, South Sudan

DURATION: 11 months (renewable subject to performance and budget availability)

JOB TITLE:

Programme Policy Officer (Head of Access)

TYPE OF CONTRACT:

International Consultancy level 2 (CST-2)

UNIT/DIVISION:

Access unit

DUTY STATION (City, Country):

Juba, South Sudan

DURATION:

11 months (renewable subject to performance and budget availability)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

In September 2018, after more than five years of civil war, the Republic of South Sudan signed a peace agreement with several opposition parties, including the SPLA-IO. Yet implementation of the peace agreement has stalled and South Sudan continues to present a wide array of challenges to the secure, principled and predictable delivery of humanitarian assistance. In 2026, armed conflict continues and has expanded in several parts of the country. Sub-national and local violence has increased in Greater Upper Nile, the Equatorias and is reaching parts of the Greater Bahr el Ghazals, resulting in the killing of civilians, large scale displacement and contributing to expanding food insecurity and malnutrition. Civilian authorities, security forces and non-state armed groups persistently compromise humanitarian space through illegal taxation, bureaucratic impediments and interference in the implementation of humanitarian activities. South Sudan also remains one of the most dangerous countries for humanitarian personnel to work, with consistent attacks on aid workers, humanitarian convoys and the looting of relief.

To effectively deliver humanitarian assistance in a complex context like South Sudan, WFP needs to ensure the safeguarding of its humanitarian principles, advocate and negotiate for adequate humanitarian space with all relevant stakeholders on all levels.

The position of Head of Access Unit requires someone with in-depth knowledge of the political, ethnic, and security context in the country. You will need to be able to analyze regional, national, and sub-national geopolitics and conflict dynamics, with pre-existing skills and experience in negotiating access for humanitarian operations and advocate for principled and sustained humanitarian access.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Country Director, you will be responsible for the following duties:

• Lead, motivate and support staff of the Access Unit.
• Ensure the timely, secure and principled movement of WFP staff and supplies, as well as those for the Logistics Cluster and UNHAS, including clearing movements, notifying authorities and other stakeholders of movements, and addressing any challenges through engagement and negotiations.
• Lead the Conflict, Security and Access Team (CSAT) in joint analysis and operational support to Field Offices and CO Units.
• Assist in the development of conflict analysis and internal/external analytical reports, including regular situational analysis, 6-month risk outlook and topical analysis on arising issues.
• In conjunction with the CSAT, Operational Units and Field Offices, develop access and programme strategies to ensure consistent, secure and principled access to and for populations in priority areas for WFP.
• Map, analyze, build and maintain relationships with actors for access negotiations, including but not limited to, national, state and local authorities, military commanders, non-state armed actors, youth militias and traditional leaders.
• Conduct access negotiations to ensure consistent, secure and principled access to and for populations in need, including through advice and support to Heads of Field Offices with their local access negotiations.
• Ensure efficient and effective clearance procedures and systems are in place and provide advice to management for higher-level advocacy with authorities.
• Advise and provide input to the Country Director and senior management on strategies and UN humanitarian advocacy efforts, and on matters regarding the safeguarding of humanitarian principles whilst ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
• Ensure inter-agency coordination on access-related issues, including through WFP’s role as a co-lead and member of the Access Working Group, as well as with the CMAG, JOC and other relevant coordination forums.
• Provide training in basic negotiations and relevant do’s and don’ts to staff to ensure a principled response.
• Support and enable the work of WFP partners as it pertains to access challenges, including through provision of training and daily problem solving.
• Regular travel to Field Offices, deep field locations and hard to reach areas for access negotiations, engagements and strategic support to emergency response in areas of WFP operational focus.
• Conduct ad-hoc negotiations or other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Advanced University degree in political science, law, history, international relations, anthropology or a related field or First University degree with additional years of experience.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least 8 years of postgraduate experience (master’s degree holder) or 10 years (for bachelor’s degree holder), with significant humanitarian programming with demonstrated experience in deep-field locations.
• Experience in development of strategies for humanitarian access, management of teams, and strategic advice to humanitarian leadership on policies regarding the protection of civilians and humanitarian principles
• At least 5 years of field experience in complex emergencies

LANGUAGE:

• Fluency (level C) in English language.
• Knowledge of spoken Arabic or a major indigenous language in South Sudan is advantageous.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong knowledge and understanding of humanitarian access and response in complex emergencies and in the context of national, sub-national and local violence
• Extensive demonstrated experience in humanitarian access, engagement and negotiation, as well as civil-military coordination.
• Strong initiative and independence, maturity of judgement, tact and interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to deliver on responsibilities with minimal guidance
• Ability to establish and work within teams and build effective working relationships with persons of many national and cultural backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to cope with emergency situations and to live in challenging environments
• In-depth knowledge of humanitarian principles, and operationalization of delivery in emergency contexts. General knowledge of UN rules, regulations and procedures
• Relevant contextual knowledge is highly desirable. Good knowledge of WFP programming.
• Flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description or outside Terms of Reference

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

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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: global.inclusion@wfp.org

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.
• 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.