Humanitarian Access Officer

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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).

Job Title: Humanitarian Affairs Officer

Contract Type: Service Contract

Level: Level 9

Duty Station: Beni

Contract Duration: 12 months

Background and Context

The operational context in Eastern DRC is characterized by a deteriorating security environment, increasing access constraints, and growing humanitarian needs affecting millions of people. WFP’s Access and Conflict Sensitivity Strategy (2026–2027) aims to ensure safe, sustained, and unhindered access to affected populations, while integrating humanitarian principles, protection, and conflict sensitivity across operations.

The Humanitarian Access Officer plays a key role in operationalizing this strategy at field level.

Overall Objective

Ensure that WFP and its partners maintain safe, timely, and sustainable access to affected populations, while supporting operations through analysis, engagement, coordination, and integration of conflict-sensitive approaches.

Key Responsibilities

• Access Analysis, Monitoring and Information Management
• Establish and maintain a robust system for monitoring, analyzing, and reporting access constraints.
• Produce monthly access analysis reports and weekly updates, including incident tracking and trend analysis.
• Maintain tools such as: Access dashboard, Incident tracker, Access engagement tracker
• Disseminate critical access information within 48 hours after major incidents.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations to support operational planning.

Strategy Implementation and Operational Integration

• Support the implementation of the Access Strategy at area and sub-office level.
• Develop sub-area access plans aligned with local constraints and dynamics.
• Ensure integration of access considerations into at least 80% of operational plans.
• Contribute to quarterly reviews of access strategy performance.

Acceptance and Community Engagement

• Strengthen community acceptance through structured engagement with leaders, civil society, and communities.
• Support communication efforts to counter misinformation and improve perception of WFP.
• Promote and integrate community feedback mechanisms (CFM) into access analysis.
• Facilitate regular community engagement activities in priority areas.

Dialogue, Negotiation and Stakeholder Engagement

• Conduct and support structured dialogue with authorities, armed actors, and other stakeholders influencing access.
• Develop and implement access engagement plans.
• Contribute to humanitarian negotiation efforts in line with humanitarian principles.
• Ensure proper documentation of engagements and reporting within 48 hours.

Coordination (Internal and External)

• Ensure active participation in:
• Internal Access Working Group
• Inter-agency Access Working Groups (OCHA, INSO)
• Support harmonization of approaches and joint advocacy efforts.
• Strengthen coordination between:
• Access, Security, Programme, Supply Chain, and Protection units

Support to Operations and High-Risk Missions

• Provide access support to high-risk and hard-to-reach operations (IPC 4, remote areas).
• Contribute to:
• Risk analysis
• Contingency planning
• Mission planning
• Ensure rapid response to access constraints, targeting resolution within 48 hours.

Integration of Protection and Conflict Sensitivity

• Ensure systematic application of:
• Do No Harm principles
• Conflict sensitivity analysis
• Support integration of protection risks into program design and implementation.
• Collaborate with Protection and Conflict Sensitivity teams

Supply Chain and Access Facilitation

• Support supply chain teams in:
• Ensuring secure and flexible delivery corridors
• Identifying alternative routes and modalities
• Contribute to pre-positioning strategies in difficult-to-access areas

Capacity Strengthening

• Develop and deliver training, coaching, and mentoring on humanitarian access for: WFP staff, Partners and contractors, Produce tools (SOPs, guidelines, checklists), Conduct regular field coaching missions

Key Deliverables

- Monthly and weekly reports
- Updated access tracking tools
- Engagement plans implemented
- Support to field missions
- Trainings conducted

Core Competencies

- Strong analytical and contextual understanding

- Humanitarian negotiation and communication skills

- Knowledge of humanitarian principles and IHL

- Experience in conflict-sensitive programming

- Strong coordination and stakeholder management

Experience:

A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in Access and related domains.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in international affairs, development studies, or equivalent.

Language:

Fluency of French and English (Level C)

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

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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.