Programme Policy Officer (Fortification) SC8

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

19 January 2026-23:59-GMT+05:00 Tajikistan Time (Dushanbe)

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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.

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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).

Despite positive economic growth and progress in poverty reduction, Tajikistan is still facing a challenging food security and nutrition situation. Recent economic challenges compounded by population growth have contributed to the reclassification of the country as low-income in 2018 and have increased household vulnerability. Malnutrition rates remain the highest in Central Asia, and the number of undernourished has remained stagnant. In this context, in order for WFP to advance the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), WFP Tajikistan must ensure that access to and availability of nutritious foods is made possible across the country.

In 2019, the Government of Tajikistan approved a mandatory flour fortification law after years of advocacy by national stakeholders and international development partners. Fortification is the practice of deliberately increasing the content of one or more micronutrients (i.e., vitamins and minerals) in a food or condiment to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply and provide a public health benefit with minimal risk to health. As well as increasing the nutritional content of staple foods, the addition of micronutrients can help to restore the micronutrient content lost during processing. Implementation of the law has yet to take place. More advocacy is needed.

The duty station is Dushanbe. The starting monthly salary for this position is 1,821.49 USD.

The incumbent will report to the Head of Nutrition team and is expected to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

I. Coordination with Fortification Stakeholders
•Represent WFP in various technical forums with key government officials involved in fortification at the central and subnational level, establishing and strengthening linkages as required (e.g., Ministry of Health and Social Protection; Ministry of Industry and New Technologies; Agency of Standardization, Metrology, Certification and Trade Inspection; Agency of State Reserve Materials, etc.).
•Support and oversee the smooth implementation of the wheat flour fortification project with State Reserve Material.
•Lead coordination among the WFP technical teams, UN agencies, international financial institutions, nongovernmental organizations, development partners and private sector stakeholders to ensure synergies with WFP’s fortification efforts are incorporated in project implementation and to engage in joint or complementary initiatives where possible.
•Coordinate and work closely with APARO food fortification team on country capacity strengthening and proposal development for new project initiatives.

•Organise regular update meetings with APARO colleagues on the progress of wheat flour fortification in Tajikistan .
•Serve as WFP’s fortification liaison to the Scaling Up Nutrition platform and facilitate the establishment of the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network in relation to fortification.
•Assist with developing learning exchanges among field offices, with other development partners and through South-South and triangular cooperation.
•Support the fortification specialist in understanding local context and strategic issues pertaining to fortification in Tajikistan.

II. Internal Implementation
• Coordinate with field offices and the Communication, Advocacy, and Marketing unit to develop success stories, fact sheets, information packets, social media posts, mass media pieces, and other advocacy and information sharing materials for a wide range of audiences as relates to fortification.
• Participate (as necessary) in meetings and activities such as studies and surveys related to wheat flour fortification and support other initiatives when required.
• Update the cost-benefit analysis regarding fortification of diverse foods, as necessary.
• Research, develop, and diversify programming through sourcing and obtaining alternative funding streams, including through initiation of concept notes and proposals.
• Proactively advise and support on mobilization of WFP resources and capabilities for an effective and sustainable fortification project.
• Hold regular meetings and/or use other innovative and effective ways to ensure proper information sharing and communication within the team/staff members, ensuring documentation of key points.
• Support with activities relevant to internal WFP processes and procedures in accordance with all deadlines (e.g., potential partner proposals, field level agreements, and service provision processes and contracts; invoice/transfers clearances; corporate systems such as WINGS/COMET; monthly deliverables such as mission plans, country brief inputs and bank forecast inputs; responding to official letters requesting support or information; etc.).
• Support the implementation of the WFP Tajikistan country strategic plan through ensuring cross-cutting efforts such as nutrition-sensitivity, gender and diversity inclusion, protection and accountability, and capacity development, are integrated throughout the portfolio and to ensure equal participation and consideration of women and men, boys and girls, and people living with specific needs and/or disabilities.
•Any other business.

This position is open to Nationals of Tajikistan only.

Education:
• Advanced University Degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Food technology, Economics or first University degree with additional years of relevant professional experience and/or training courses.

Experience:
• At least one year of relevant professional experience in relevant field with Advanced University Degree or 3 years of relevant professional experience with First University Degree in related fields.

• Experience working with food security and nutrition indicators.

•Academic and / or professional background in economic research is desired.

• Experience working in international organisation and/or nongovernmental organization is strongly desirable.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Excellent analytical skills, resourcefulness, advocacy and initiative.

• Full knowledge of computer applications, such as MS Office.
• Experience with using various data analysis and visualization packages
• Demonstrated understanding of food supply chains and processing; experience with private sector engagement and working in development setting would be an advantage.

Languages:

Excellent written and spoken English and Tajik. Proficiency in Russian is desirable.

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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

 

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 recruitment system. We do not accept CVs or spontaneous applications by email.

• If you experience challenges while submitting your online application, please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org for technical support only.

• Please note that applications sent to this email address cannot be considered.

• 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.