DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
30 April 2026-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)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).
The World Food Programme is seeking to build a diverse pool of exceptional Security Officers for future opportunities.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Security Officers (P3), work in WFP Country Offices, and often in remote duty stations characterized by hardship and an elevated level of security risk. Some of these positions may also be found in Global Headquarters. In GHQ they report to the Chief/more senior Security Officer, or designate; in COs they report to the Country Director, or more senior Security Officer, or designate.
Security Officers at this grade level demonstrate adaptive capacities in effective security management and make significant independent contributions to the planning and development of security policies and procedures. They are expected to manage a variety of security activities and conduct analytical work of considerable complexity, often manage and complete projects or assignments of a major nature achieving effective outputs. Security Officers typically anchor a team ensuring high performance and development.
THE ROLE
To support the management of WFP’s security operations to enable the effective delivery of programmes that meet food assistance needs and maintain the security and safety of WFP personnel, activities and facilities.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):
Provide technical advice, guidance and support e.g. security assessments and plans to COs to strengthen the capacity within security management and crisis readiness and preparedness, contributing to the development of country strategy, policies and planning.
Develop systems and tools for the monitoring and assessment of security situations needs in line with innovative methodologies and best practice.
Conduct context analysis in conflict affected areas of operations, determining the key characteristics and locations of non-state armed groups (NSAG).
Communicate and negotiate security guarantees or “acceptance” for WFP to operate in NSAG’s areas of control.
Keep up to date with and advise upon local security developments and issues and the potential impact upon WFP operations to inform security and operational activities.
Monitor and maintain an effective security management communications system that enables rapid and coordinated security activities.
Build and maintain productive relationships with local partners to align activities and optimise the best protection for staff, activities and facilities.
Work in close collaboration with internal counterparts to align activities with wider programmes and activities and ensure compliance with security policies and procedures.
Manage junior security staff, providing coaching and guidance as required to ensure appropriate development and enable high performance.
Represent WFP at local and inter-agency meetings e.g. Security Co-ordination Cells to present relevant security issues and contribute to technical discussions, exchange of knowledge and experience.
Facilitate training sessions as required to build the security capabilities of WFP and external partners.
Oversee and prepare accurate and timely reporting, e.g. mandatory Field Security reports that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
Support the monitoring and evaluation of WFP activities, providing technical analysis and information as required to support the assessment of activity impact.
Act in an assigned emergency response capacity as required to meet emergency food assistance needs.
Other as required.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Education: Advanced University degree in Security Management, International Relations or Law Enforcement or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses. A diploma obtained from Military/Police Academy with qualifying relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the First University degree.
Experience: minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in security risk management, including the assessment of security risks and the design, recommendation, and/or implementation of security risk management measures.
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:
Has contributed to the development of systems and tools for the monitoring and assessment of security situations in line with innovative methodologies and best practice.
Has provided support in the provision of technical security operations advice to strengthen the security management function of WFP.
Has managed small teams of national staff with related areas of expertise.
Has developed some experience managing resources in the STLDU or Operations.
Has gained considerable experience in at least one operational area.
Candidates must demonstrate a strong willingness to operate in high‑risk and hardship environments, with readiness for multiple field deployments. They should exhibit high levels of mental and physical resilience, adaptability, and a proactive, solutions‑oriented attitude.
Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language).
NEXT STEPS
This is not an application for a specific vacancy, but an opportunity to be considered for future Security Officer (P3) roles. If your profile is shortlisted for an upcoming opportunity, we will reach out to you for additional information and invite you to participate in further assessments.
We truly appreciate your commitment to WFP’s mission and look forward to the possibility of working together to achieve Zero Hunger.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Geographical Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. Selected candidates for any future Security Officer (P3) opportunity will be employed on a fixed-term International Professional position as well as a rotational contract with a probationary period of one year.
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel, visa and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance. For more information, visit https://icsc.un.org/.
Selected candidates for future Regional Director opportunities will be required to relocate to the corresponding duty station to take up their assignment.
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 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.