WFP Job Vacancy 2026: Programme Policy Officer – Home-Grown School Feeding
World Food Programme (WFP)
Jijiga, Somali, ET
Role description
World Food Programme (WFP) Job Vacancy 2026: Programme Policy Officer – Home-Grown School Feeding
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is recruiting a Programme Policy Officer (Home-Grown School Feeding), SC-8 for its Jijiga Area Office in Ethiopia's Somali Region. This opportunity is suitable for qualified professionals with a background in education, community development, social work, agricultural economics, pastoral livelihoods, or related fields who are interested in humanitarian assistance and development programming.
The successful candidate will support the regional implementation of home-grown school feeding programmes, working closely with the Somali Regional Education Bureau, government partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen programme planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting.
Job Overview
Position: Programme Policy Officer – Home-Grown School Feeding Employer: United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Job Location: Jijiga, Somali Region, Ethiopia Duty Station: WFP Jijiga Area Office, with assignment to the Regional Education Bureau Contract Type: Service Contract Grade: SC-8 Employment Type: Full-time Contract Duration: 12 months Required Experience: At least 1 year of relevant professional experience Application Deadline: November 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM East Africa Time
About the World Food Programme (WFP)
The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization focused on saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to support recovery, stability, and long-term development. WFP works with governments and partners to address hunger, improve nutrition, and strengthen food security for vulnerable communities.
In Ethiopia, WFP supports humanitarian and development initiatives, including school feeding programmes. Under its 2026–2030 Country Strategic Plan, the organization aims to support Ethiopia's ambition of achieving universal coverage of school meal programmes by 2030 through partnerships with government institutions and communities.
Job Purpose
Under the direct supervision of the International Programme Policy Officer for Resilience, Livelihoods and School Feeding, the Programme Policy Officer will support the planning, implementation, coordination, and monitoring of home-grown school feeding activities in the Somali Region.
The position involves working closely with the Regional Education Bureau and spending approximately 50% of working time at the bureau and the remaining time at the WFP Jijiga office.
Key Responsibilities
Programme Planning and Implementation
Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, and adaptive management of home-grown school feeding programmes in line with strategic objectives. Support regional partners in strengthening programme delivery and achieving sustainable results. Identify implementation challenges, assess programme risks, and coordinate timely solutions. Promote results-based management, accountability, and continuous improvement through data-driven decision-making.
Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement
Facilitate coordination among the Regional Education Bureau, zonal and woreda education offices, WFP teams, and other relevant stakeholders. Support coordination with other regional sectors, including agriculture, social protection, energy, and health, to improve the quality and sustainability of home-grown school feeding. Organize and facilitate programme coordination meetings and support project steering committee and technical meetings. Prepare meeting minutes, document action points, and follow up with responsible teams on agreed activities. Represent the programme in regional coordination and leadership forums and maintain communication between field operations and area office management.
Monitoring, Reporting and Accountability
Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports on programme activities and results. Support the Regional Education Bureau in preparing and submitting progress and expenditure reports. Monitor programme implementation and identify opportunities to improve effectiveness and operational performance. Support evidence-based planning and decision-making using programme data and performance information.
Inclusion and Protection
Promote the integration of gender and protection considerations across programme activities. Support equal participation of girls and boys in school feeding initiatives. Perform other related duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
Educational Qualifications
Applicants must have a BA degree in one of the following fields or a related discipline:
Educational Leadership Social Work Agricultural Economics Community Development Pastoral Livelihoods Other relevant functional fields
A master's degree is an added advantage.
Work Experience
At least one year of relevant professional experience. Background or demonstrated interest in international humanitarian and development work. Working knowledge of nutrition, education, and social protection or social assistance. Experience working in an agro-pastoral setting is an advantage.
Knowledge and Skills
Proficiency in standard office equipment and computer applications, including Microsoft Word. Knowledge of administrative work routines and procedures. Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision. Strong programme planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting capabilities. Ability to work collaboratively with government institutions and multiple stakeholders.
Language Requirements
Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in written and spoken Somali.
Application Procedure
Interested and qualified applicants must apply exclusively through the official WFP online recruitment system . Applications submitted by email, LinkedIn, or other channels will not be accepted.
Required Documents
CV Cover letter
Applicants should ensure that their Workday profile is complete and accurate, including employment history, academic qualifications, and language skills.
Official Application Link:
Apply at WFP Careers Portal
Application Deadline: November 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM East Africa Time.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Selected candidates will undergo reference and background checks.
Important Recruitment Information
No application fee: The United Nations does not charge fees for applications, processing, interviews, testing, or recruitment. Equal opportunity: WFP encourages qualified candidates to apply and is committed to diversity, inclusion, and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Reasonable accommodation: Candidates with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process by contacting global.inclusion@wfp.org.
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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is recruiting a Programme Policy Officer (Home-Grown School Feeding), SC-8 for its Jijiga Area Office in Ethiopia's Somali Region. This opportunity is suitable for qualified professionals with a background in education, community development, social work, agricultural economics, pastoral livelihoods, or related fields who are interested in humanitarian assistance and development programming.
The successful candidate will support the regional implementation of home-grown school feeding programmes, working closely with the Somali Regional Education Bureau, government partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen programme planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting.
Job Overview
Position: Programme Policy Officer – Home-Grown School Feeding Employer: United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Job Location: Jijiga, Somali Region, Ethiopia Duty Station: WFP Jijiga Area Office, with assignment to the Regional Education Bureau Contract Type: Service Contract Grade: SC-8 Employment Type: Full-time Contract Duration: 12 months Required Experience: At least 1 year of relevant professional experience Application Deadline: November 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM East Africa Time
About the World Food Programme (WFP)
The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization focused on saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to support recovery, stability, and long-term development. WFP works with governments and partners to address hunger, improve nutrition, and strengthen food security for vulnerable communities.
In Ethiopia, WFP supports humanitarian and development initiatives, including school feeding programmes. Under its 2026–2030 Country Strategic Plan, the organization aims to support Ethiopia's ambition of achieving universal coverage of school meal programmes by 2030 through partnerships with government institutions and communities.
Job Purpose
Under the direct supervision of the International Programme Policy Officer for Resilience, Livelihoods and School Feeding, the Programme Policy Officer will support the planning, implementation, coordination, and monitoring of home-grown school feeding activities in the Somali Region.
The position involves working closely with the Regional Education Bureau and spending approximately 50% of working time at the bureau and the remaining time at the WFP Jijiga office.
Key Responsibilities
Programme Planning and Implementation
Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, and adaptive management of home-grown school feeding programmes in line with strategic objectives. Support regional partners in strengthening programme delivery and achieving sustainable results. Identify implementation challenges, assess programme risks, and coordinate timely solutions. Promote results-based management, accountability, and continuous improvement through data-driven decision-making.
Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement
Facilitate coordination among the Regional Education Bureau, zonal and woreda education offices, WFP teams, and other relevant stakeholders. Support coordination with other regional sectors, including agriculture, social protection, energy, and health, to improve the quality and sustainability of home-grown school feeding. Organize and facilitate programme coordination meetings and support project steering committee and technical meetings. Prepare meeting minutes, document action points, and follow up with responsible teams on agreed activities. Represent the programme in regional coordination and leadership forums and maintain communication between field operations and area office management.
Monitoring, Reporting and Accountability
Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports on programme activities and results. Support the Regional Education Bureau in preparing and submitting progress and expenditure reports. Monitor programme implementation and identify opportunities to improve effectiveness and operational performance. Support evidence-based planning and decision-making using programme data and performance information.
Inclusion and Protection
Promote the integration of gender and protection considerations across programme activities. Support equal participation of girls and boys in school feeding initiatives. Perform other related duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
Educational Qualifications
Applicants must have a BA degree in one of the following fields or a related discipline:
Educational Leadership Social Work Agricultural Economics Community Development Pastoral Livelihoods Other relevant functional fields
A master's degree is an added advantage.
Work Experience
At least one year of relevant professional experience. Background or demonstrated interest in international humanitarian and development work. Working knowledge of nutrition, education, and social protection or social assistance. Experience working in an agro-pastoral setting is an advantage.
Knowledge and Skills
Proficiency in standard office equipment and computer applications, including Microsoft Word. Knowledge of administrative work routines and procedures. Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision. Strong programme planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting capabilities. Ability to work collaboratively with government institutions and multiple stakeholders.
Language Requirements
Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in written and spoken Somali.
Application Procedure
Interested and qualified applicants must apply exclusively through the official WFP online recruitment system . Applications submitted by email, LinkedIn, or other channels will not be accepted.
Required Documents
CV Cover letter
Applicants should ensure that their Workday profile is complete and accurate, including employment history, academic qualifications, and language skills.
Official Application Link:
Apply at WFP Careers Portal
Application Deadline: November 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM East Africa Time.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Selected candidates will undergo reference and background checks.
Important Recruitment Information
No application fee: The United Nations does not charge fees for applications, processing, interviews, testing, or recruitment. Equal opportunity: WFP encourages qualified candidates to apply and is committed to diversity, inclusion, and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Reasonable accommodation: Candidates with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process by contacting global.inclusion@wfp.org.
📲 Get Daily Jobs in Ethiopia!
Join ETcareers on Telegram for the latest UN jobs, NGO vacancies, humanitarian opportunities, and development-sector careers in Ethiopia.
https://t.me/Etcareersjobs