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).

Job title: Programme Policy Officer, Social Protection (NOB)

Contact type and grade : National professional, NOB

Duration: 1 year renewable

 Unit / Division : Programme

Location : Antananarivo, Madagascar

Posting Date : March 3rd 2026

Submission Deadline: March 17th 2026

Context and objectives

The position is based in Antananarivo Country Office and report to the Head of Programme.

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 Social Protection Programme Policy Officer will be responsible for positioning WFP as a key technical actor in social protection, ensuring strategic alignment of interventions with national policies, and strengthening support for government institutions in the design, coordination, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of social protection programmes.

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

• Contribute towards the development of a wide variety of projects, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance.

• Provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures.

• Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.

• Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the development of policies, programmes and activities.

• Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.

• Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects and highlight potential risks to project delivery.

• Support the identification, development and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved food assistance packages.

• Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g. through providing inputs into training materials.

• Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries.

• Autres tâches selon les besoins.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS (details to be determined by Post Managers):

Strategic Positioning and Coordination

• Contribute to the development and implementation of WFP's positioning strategy in the area of social protection.

• Represent WFP in national coordination platforms (sectoral groups, SUN platform, etc.).

• Establish and maintain regular dialogue with key ministries (Ministry of Public Health, Family and Social Protection, Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, etc.) and technical and financial partners (UNICEF, World Bank, etc.).

Strengthening National Systems

• Support national institutions in the operationalization and monitoring of social protection policies and action plans.

• Contribute to the integration of nutrition, gender, resilience, and climate adaptation into social safety nets. Propose models for the gradual transfer of responsibilities to the government, particularly in the areas of school feeding and cash transfer programs

Technical Assistance and Mentoring

• Provide technical assistance in the design of integrated, shock-sensitive, and life-cycle-responsive social protection approaches.

• Support the operationalization of targeting, registration, payment, accountability, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Promote innovation and digitalization in social service delivery systems.

Monitoring, Lessons learned, and advocacy

• Support the documentation of WFP's experiences in social protection (lessons learned, case studies).

• Prepare position papers, concept notes, and contributions to national strategic documents.

• Participate in advocacy efforts for increased and coordinated social protection funding.

Qualifications and Experience:
Education:

Advanced University degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development, Social Sciences, International Relations, or other fields relevant to Social Protection, or First University degree with additional years of relevant professional level work experience.

Experience:

• At least three (3) years of postgraduate professional experience in social protection, humanitarian or development contexts, including experience with national systems, cash-based transfers, or nutrition-sensitive programming.

• Proven knowledge of social protection systems in Africa, ideally in Madagascar. Experience in government relations, inter-agency coordination mechanisms, and strategic partnerships. Skills in strategic analysis, advocacy brief writing, and representation.

• Strong analytical abilities, proficiency in data tools, experience in policy dialogue, and ability to work in multi-cultural teams.

• Ability to work in a team, communicate effectively, and manage multidisciplinary partnerships.

• Excellent report writing and communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.

• Good communication/advocacy, negotiation, and leadership skills

• Has taken leadership of implementing programmes.

Language:

National Professional: Fluency (level C) in  French and Intermediate (level B) in English.

Deadline: March 17th 2026

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.