Director, Technology, D2

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 extreme weather shocks.

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 TECHNOLOGY DIVISION (TEC)

Technology is at the heart of WFP's ability to directly deliver food assistance and services to over 115 million beneficiaries. Through digital technology and connectivity, WFP rapidly reaches and responds to the needs of some of the most vulnerable people and places affected by crisis.
As the leading international humanitarian actor present in over 85 countries, WFP operates one of the world's most complex and challenging IT environments - delivering reliable technology services from conflict zones to remote field locations, often in areas with limited infrastructure and high security risks.

THE ROLE

WFP seeks a Director of Technology Operations to ensure the reliability, security, and operational excellence of WFP's global technology infrastructure and services. This role is the operational backbone of WFP's digital capabilities - keeping systems running, protecting data and assets, and enabling 17,000+ staff to work effectively regardless of location or crisis context.
As Director of Technology Operations, you will report to the Assistant Executive Director, Workplace & Management (AED, WM) with a close working partnership with the Chief Digital & AI Officer. You are
accountable for operational excellence in technology delivery - ensuring WFP's critical systems are available, secure, compliant, and performant 24/7/365.
This is not an innovation-driven role - this is an operational excellence and risk management role. Your success is measured by uptime, security posture, user satisfaction, cost efficiency, and business continuity - the key pillars that underpin rapid digital innovation. You will enable transformation by providing the stable, secure technical foundation upon which new capabilities can be built.

Primary Accountability: Deliver reliable, secure, and cost-effective global technology operations that enable WFP staff to work seamlessly across geographies and emergency contexts, with zero tolerance for major security breaches or prolonged system outages affecting humanitarian operations.
 

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

Global IT Operations & Service Delivery (35%)

•      Oversee end-to-end IT service delivery ensuring WFP's business-critical systems are available, performant, and reliable
•      Manage global IT infrastructure including data centers, cloud services, networks, telecommunications, and end-user computing
•      Ensure field-first operating model with robust connectivity and IT support reaching country offices and emergency operations
•      Lead IT service management functions (service desk, incident management, problem management, change management) achieving high user satisfaction
•      Manage vendor relationships for infrastructure, applications, and services ensuring value for money and contract compliance
•      Drive continuous improvement in operational efficiency, automation, and service quality

Cybersecurity, Risk & Compliance (25%)

•      Establish and maintain comprehensive cybersecurity program protecting WFP systems, data, and users from evolving threats
•      Lead threat detection, vulnerability management, and incident response capabilities appropriate to WFP's high-risk operating environment
•      Ensure compliance with UN cybersecurity frameworks, data protection regulations, and WFP policies
•      Conduct regular risk assessments and security audits, remediating vulnerabilities proactively
•      Build security awareness and capability across WFP staff and technology teams
•      Serve as WFP's primary liaison with UN system cybersecurity coordination mechanisms

Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (15%)

•      Design and maintain business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities ensuring WFP can continue operations during crises
•      Conduct regular disaster recovery testing and tabletop exercises
•      Ensure data backup, redundancy, and recovery capabilities meet WFP's operational requirements
•      Coordinate technology aspects of business continuity planning with organizational resilience efforts

Enterprise Architecture & Platform Management (15%)

•      Oversee enterprise architecture ensuring WFP's technology landscape is integrated, scalable, and aligned with business needs
•      Manage core enterprise platforms (ERP, HR systems, finance systems, collaboration tools)
•      Partner with Chief Digital & AI Officer to ensure new transformation initiatives are technically sound and operationally sustainable
•      Drive platform integration and interoperability, reducing fragmentation and technical debt
•      Establish and enforce technical standards, governance, and architectural principles

Technology Portfolio & Financial Management (10%)

•      Manage TEC technology budget (approximately $82M) ensuring disciplined financial stewardship and value for money
•      Lead technology portfolio management, prioritizing investments based on risk, business value, and operational necessity
•      Monitor and optimize technology costs including infrastructure, licenses, and services
•      Ensure transparent reporting on technology spend, performance, and value delivery
•      Manage TEC procurement activities in compliance with WFP and UN regulations

Leadership & Team Development

•      Lead, develop, and inspire a globally distributed technology operations team of around 300 headquarters staff and 1,600 field personnel
•      Foster a culture of operational excellence, accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement
•      Build technical capability and career development pathways for IT operations professionals
•      Ensure appropriate skills, capacity, and organizational structure to meet WFP's operational technology needs
•      Partner collaboratively with Chief Digital & AI Officer ensuring alignment between operations and transformation

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Advanced university degree in computer science, information technology, engineering, or related technical field. First university degree with additional qualifying experience and professional certifications may be accepted.

Experience: minimum fifteen (15) years or more of progressively senior experience in IT operations, infrastructure management, or technology service delivery, including at least 5 years at director or senior management level.
 

DESIRED EXPERIENCE FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE: 

•      Proven experience managing large-scale, complex IT operations in distributed or multi-country environments with 24/7 operational requirements
•      Extensive experience in cybersecurity management including security operations, incident response, compliance, and risk management in high-threat environments
•      Strong background in enterprise architecture, systems integration, and platform management for large organizations
•      Demonstrated success managing substantial technology budgets ($50M+) with accountability for cost optimization and value delivery
•      Experience leading large, geographically dispersed technology teams including senior technical managers
•      Track record of achieving high service availability, system reliability, and user satisfaction in demanding operational environments
•      Deep technical knowledge across infrastructure, networking, cloud services, security, and enterprise applications

HIGHLY DESIRABLE

•      Experience managing IT operations in challenging environments (developing countries, conflict zones, limited infrastructure, high-risk contexts)
•      Background in humanitarian, development, or public sector organizations with complex operational requirements
•      Experience in UN system or international organization with matrix governance and diverse stakeholder management
•      Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, ITIL, TOGAF, or equivalent
•      Experience implementing ITSM frameworks and achieving service excellence in complex organizations

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).

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES & INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

•      Operational excellence mindset - Relentless focus on reliability, availability, and performance; holds self and teams to high standards; drives continuous improvement; measures and manages what matters
•      Risk awareness and judgment - Demonstrates maturity in assessing and managing technology and security risks; balances risk mitigation with operational necessity; communicates risks clearly to leadership
•      Technical depth and credibility - Commands respect through deep technical knowledge; stays current with evolving technologies; makes sound technical decisions; can dive deep when needed while maintaining strategic perspective
•      Crisis management and composure - Performs effectively under pressure during incidents or emergencies; makes clear decisions with incomplete information; communicates calmly and effectively during crises
•      Service orientation and customer focus - Understands IT exists to enable business operations; builds partnerships with internal customers; responsive to user needs while maintaining operational discipline
•      Stakeholder management - Navigates complex stakeholder environments; builds trusted relationships with business leaders; influences without direct authority; manages vendor relationships effectively
•      Team leadership and development - Builds high-performing technical teams; develops talent; creates clarity of roles and accountability; inspires commitment to operational excellence
•      Integrity and professionalism - Operates with transparency and ethical integrity; demonstrates sound judgment; aligns with WFP values; maintains professional demeanor

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
Within 18 months, the Director of Technology Operations will have demonstrably:

•      Achieved 99.9%+ uptime for business-critical systems with zero major security breaches
•      Improved user satisfaction scores for IT services by measurable margin
•      Implemented comprehensive cybersecurity program meeting UN standards with successful external audit
•      Reduced technology operating costs by at least 10% through optimization while maintaining service quality
•      Successfully supported at least 3 major emergency operations with rapid IT deployment and reliable connectivity
•      Built robust business continuity capabilities demonstrated through successful DR testing
•      Established clear technical standards and governance reducing fragmentation and technical debt

 
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

•      This is an International Professional position and is open to all nationalities.
•      Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position is however classified as “non-rotational” which means the incumbent shall not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as rotational.
•      The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year.

•      This position reports to the Assistant Executive Director, Workplace & Management

•      The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy to take up this assignment.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days' annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. More details at https://icsc.un.org/

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.

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.