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 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).

WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Job holders operate with a high degree of independence, manage more junior staff to ensure that programme and policy objectives are achieved in full. They are usually involved in a wide variety of programme and policy activities and analytical work, some of which may be of a considerable complexity. At this level, job holders are expected to contribute to performance improvement.

JOB PURPOSE

The Government of Nepal, with support from WFP, has implemented the Mid-day Meal Programme since 1974. Today, the programme spans all 77 districts across the country’s seven provinces, targeting more than three million children in over 27,000 schools and providing meals every school day, making it one of the largest social safety nets in the country. Through external support provided through several public and private donors, WFP has provided direct implementation support to the national programme for decades, and, by the end of 2025, will transition its three remaining districts to the national Mid-day Meal programme. From January 2026 onward, WFP will continue providing technical assistance and system strengthening support for an efficient and effective Mid-day Meal programme.

Despite strengthening policy frameworks, growing operational experience, and increased investments, gaps still remain in translating the policy into practice at the sub-national level (Province, District and local government) affecting the continuity, quality, and sustainability of the Mid-day Meal Programme. In late 2024, the government, under the leadership of the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, took the bold decision in developing and approving a national home-grown school feeding framework which paved the way to scaling up the home-grown school feeding approach in 250 of the country’s 753 Municipalities in the next three years starting from 100 Municipalities in fiscal year 2025/2026. This will, among other things, entail strengthening local government capacity to enhance and support the quality of implementation of the Mid-day Meal programme through the home-grown school feeding approach. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and provincial and local governments, WFP has successfully tested a context specific home-grown school feeding models that provide multiple benefits for children, the local communities, the country at large and have the proven potential to offset some of the implications of the limited cash allocations from the federal level.

In line with the government’s plans for scaling up the Home-Grown School Feeding framework, WFP aims to continue provide technical assistance in improving the quality of implementation of the national Mid-day meals programme through working closely with local governments and the school community. As such, WFP is seeking multiple Field Coordinators to be based in district headquarters to provide technical assistance to a cluster of local governments.

The Field Coordinators will be responsible to provide overall technical assistance to respective municipalities to strengthen local government and stakeholder capacity to implement the Mid-day Meal programme, and to adopt a home-grown school feeding approach in line with the Government's home-grown school feeding framework.

TERMS AND CONDITION

Position Title: Programme Associate (Field Coordinator - School Meals) SC L6

Contract Type: Service Contract (SC)
Level: SC L6

Contract Duration: 12 months (renewable)

Duty Station: Parbat, Sindhupalchowk (Chautara), Jumla, Baitadi, Bajhang (2 posts), Darchula, Bajura

Date of Publication: 09.01.2026
Deadline of Application: 22.01.2026
WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary plus CIGNA health insurance

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

Under the overall guidance of the School Meals Manager and the supervision of a Programme Coordinator (Dhangadhi, Janakpur, or Surkhet, depending on location) the field coordinator will be responsible to:

Provide timely and quality technical assistance in the preparation and implementation of annual workplan for the local governments through facilitating and ensuring that the Mid-day Meal programme and its associated activities are well reflected in local level plans and policies and promote a multisectoral approach to school meals. Provide training and other capacity strengthening activities for government, school, smallholder farmers/cooperatives and community stakeholders. Support local governments operationalize the home-grown approach through coaching and mentoring, following the National Home-Grown School Feeding Framework. Support local governments to develop and contextualized procedures and guidelines to address the local needs under the Mid-day Meal programme with a home-grown approach including food procurement, contracting between schools and smallholder farmers and their cooperatives. Provide technical assistance on menu planning, social behaviour changes activities and support the monitoring and accountability system for the Mid-day Meal programme. Support strengthens local government capacity to identify potential collaboration and partnership opportunities for home-grown school feeding and related activities at municipal/ward/community level. Hold regular meetings with local governments, school staff and committees, farmers, cooperatives and other stakeholders to review workplan, progress, identify challenges and jointly develop solutions to address them. Represent WFP in different forums related to school meals at the district and municipal levels within a specific technical area of responsibility. Perform other duties as required or assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Qualifications & Experience Required

Experience:

At least 6 years of relevant experience in implementing technical programmes at field level (i.e., education, agriculture, nutrition, food systems, etc.). Experience working in teams and coordinating groups of diverse stakeholders. Should have experience contributing to design and implementation of programmes and must have deep knowledge and experience in school meals, nutrition, and education programming. Experience in negotiations, communications and resource mobilization are valuable assets.

Education:

Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in related functional area with focus on a relevant discipline: agriculture, nutrition, public health, development studies, social sciences, law, human rights, international development, or related field.

Knowledge & Skills:

Among other, must be able to (1) develop and maintain networks with variety of stakeholders; (2) facilitate workshops and group discussions; (3) professionally impart knowledge  and technical expertise  to partners and stakeholders; (4) flexibly adapt to changing contexts and needs; (5) participate in open dialogue and value diverse opinions, regardless of background, culture, experience, or context; and (6) explore and experiment new ideas and approaches in own work; and (7) work independently in a timely and organised manner.

The ability to work independently, to be a self-starter, motivated, and able to multi-task is essential for this role, and non-negotiable. Familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite is essential. Driving skills, as well as a valid license are required, as much time will be spent commuting between municipalities and district headquarters.

Language:

Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English and Nepali languages. Knowledge of local language will be an added advantage. Nepali typing skill is an asset.

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 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.