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.

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.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Under its five-year Country Strategic Plan (2024–2028), WFP Nepal implements a comprehensive and integrated activities across four strategic outcome areas. Anchored within a food systems transformation framework, the plan encompasses Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR), Food Fortification, Nutrition and School Meals, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, and on-demand Service Provision. All interventions are underpinned by cross-cutting priorities, including gender equality, disability inclusion, protection and accountability, social protection, nutrition integration, environmental sustainability, and innovation.

WFP's work to prevent, prepare for, respond to disasters and climate shocks and stressors is central to its mandate of achieving Zero Hunger by 2030. Accordingly, as part of its EPR and climate adaptation and resilience programming, WFP Nepal prioritizes strengthening national and sub-national capacities for integrated, shock-responsive social protection systems, food systems transformation, resilience, and climate adaptation. WFP supports strengthening multi-hazard impact-based forecasting, early warning systems, and Forecast-based Anticipatory Action. In times of crisis, when national capacities are unable to deliver the required assistance, WFP collaborates with government and humanitarian partners to deliver life-saving assistance through food or cash-based transfers or vouchers, emergency logistics, and service provision.

The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical leadership for WFP’s emergency preparedness and response programmes in line with the Country Strategic Plan. The incumbent will engage with relevant government institutions and local actors to ensure a coordinated approach and foster partnerships that strengthen EPR systems.

TERMS AND CONDITION

Position Title: Programme Policy Officer (Emergency Preparedness and Response)

Contract Type: Service Contract (SC)
Level: SC L9

Contract Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Duty Station: Kathmandu, Nepal

Date of Publication: 03.03.2026
Deadline of Application: 16.03.2026
WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary plus CIGNA health insurance

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme and working closely with the Deputy Head of Programme and cross-functional units in the country office and field locations, the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Contribute towards the development of projects / programmes, on Emergency Preparedness, Anticipatory Actions and Shock Responsive Social Protection (SRSP), ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance of WFP and ensuring local adaptation, strong government ownership, and evidence generation to inform institutionalization and scale-up.

• Provide technical assistance to the National Disaster Risk Management Authority (NDRRMA) and the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) to mainstream disaster risk management approaches including Anticipatory Action (AA) concept in support of the government of Nepal’s relevant policies, strategies, and operational plans.

• Coordinate with government counterparts, UN agencies, the Red Cross Movement, NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure coherent and effective planning, implementation and institutionalization of early warning systems, and anticipatory actions in strengthening the government’s national disaster risk reduction and management system.

• Act as WFP’s coordination focal point for the partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) and other relevant Ministries and Departments and provide WFP’s support to the Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) initiative.

• Work closely with the Deputy Head of Programme and relevant functional units in supporting the government in cluster and inter-cluster coordination of the food security, nutrition, logistics and emergency telecommunications clusters and in the preparation and implementation of contingency and cluster response plans.

• Support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and processes for various disaster scenarios, detailing anticipatory actions, timelines, cost estimates, forecast triggers, thresholds, stakeholder roles, targeting criteria, and associated early warning systems.

• Support and oversee the daily operations of the WFP-managed Humanitarian Staging Areas, ensuring their functions as a central hub for humanitarian business continuity, logistics coordination, and the delivery of common services to partners.

• Work closely with the AA clinic and other relevant coordination structures and provide WFP’s technical assistance in operationalizing and institutionalizing the Anticipatory Action frameworks and early warning systems, ensuring their integration into disaster risk management, social protection, and climate adaptation plans, including integrating AA and other Climate and Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance (CDRFI) mechanisms.

• Contribute to WFP’s advocacy, communication, and resource mobilization efforts by generating evidence on the effectiveness of Anticipatory Action, including cost-benefit analyses, return-on-investment assessments, and impact evaluations, in collaboration with research institutions and academia.

• Perform other tasks assigned by the immediate supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced university (masters) degree in climate change, environment, earth sciences, hydrology and meteorology, disaster risk reduction/management, natural resource management, or related fields or First-level university (bachelors) degree with additional years of relevant work experience.

Experience:

• At least three years of relevant post-graduate (Master’s) professional experience or additional years with First-level university (bachelor’s) degree, including demonstrated expertise in programme design and implementation in areas such as humanitarian assistance, disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, and anticipatory action.

• Proven experience in providing technical assistance and capacity strengthening support to government.

• Experience in forecast-based financing / anticipatory action, and emergency preparedness and response.

• Experience in engaging with and providing support to a range of actors such as Government Ministries, Departments UN agencies, NGOs, civil society, academia, and the private sector.

• Experience in designing contingency plans, setting up multi- stakeholder processes and establishing and maintaining partnerships.

• Has taken leadership of implementing programmes.

• Has contributed to policy and strategy design and implementation.

Desired Knowledge & Skills:

• In depth understanding of disaster management, food systems, climate adaptation, and resilience strategies.

• Ability to coordinate across multiple units and organizations.

• Ability to write clear and concise reports.

• Proven team building and leadership skills

Languages:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. and Nepali languages are a requirement. Knowledge of local languages is added value.

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.