Social Protection Officer

Organizational Context

Timor-Leste, a young nation independent since 2002, faces significant challenges including widespread poverty, high food insecurity, and alarming child malnutrition rates, with nearly half of children under five stunted. Its economy relies on oil and gas, with aspirations for agriculture and tourism. The World Food Programme (WFP) works closely with the Government and partners to strengthen social safety programs. WFP supports the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) in implementing the INSPIRE project, aiming to transform the social protection system into an adaptive, shock-responsive, and nutrition-sensitive one.

Job Purpose

Timor-Leste faces significant challenges including widespread poverty, high food insecurity, and alarming child malnutrition, particularly stunting, which undermines human capital development. While the government has invested in social protection, existing programs have limited coverage, struggle to reach the poorest, and lack systematic integration of nutrition outcomes. Gaps in social registries, delivery systems, and nutrition-sensitive design constrain their potential, especially during the critical first 1,000 days of life. Against this backdrop, the assignment's purpose is to support the World Food Programme (WFP) in assisting the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) to implement the Integrated Nutrition and Adaptive Social Protection for Increased Resilience (INSPIRE) project. This initiative aims to transform Timor-Leste’s social protection system into one that is adaptive, shock-responsive, and nutrition-sensitive, strengthening national systems, institutional capacity, and evidence-based policymaking. A key focus is the rollout of the Bolsa de Mãe Kondisional - SANUTRIO (BdMK SANUTRIO) program, targeting vulnerable women and young children to improve nutrition, health, and resilience outcomes.

Responsibilities

The Social Protection Officer will primarily support technical documentation and quality assurance for the INSPIRE Technical Assistance project. This includes drafting, reviewing, consolidating, and finalizing key deliverables such as the SANURIO Operations Manual, Poverty and Vulnerability Framework, social assistance training manuals, social registry documentation, and financing reviews. The role requires systematically addressing technical comments from reviewers and stakeholders, ensuring clarity and alignment, and coordinating internal review processes within WFP. Furthermore, the officer will contribute to research, analysis, and learning by conducting desk-based research and analytical reviews related to social protection, adaptive systems, and nutrition-sensitive programming. This involves synthesizing evidence and experience to inform program learning, reporting, and strategic positioning. A significant component of the role involves communications and knowledge management. The officer will develop and implement a knowledge management and communications plan for the Social Protection portfolio, identifying and documenting key lessons learned, innovations, and results from the BdMK SANUTRIO and INSPIRE implementations. This includes drafting high-quality written content like human-interest stories, technical blogs, briefs, presentations, and learning products for diverse audiences, while also organizing and curating program knowledge products to ensure accessibility and institutional memory. Finally, the officer will provide ad hoc technical and analytical support to the social protection team during critical project milestones, such as benefit distributions and trainings, and undertake other duties as assigned to support overall program objectives.

Work Experience

A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience is required. This experience should include technical writing, editing, and reviewing policy or program documents. Candidates must also have experience in coordinating with government counterparts and development partners. Furthermore, experience in the design and implementation of programs within development or humanitarian contexts, particularly those related to social protection, is essential.

Skills

Required skills include strong analytical, research, and writing abilities with high attention to detail. Proficiency in coordination and stakeholder engagement, as well as knowledge management and program communications, is essential. Candidates should be adept at using common office and collaboration tools such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint. Core competencies encompass accountability, adaptability, communication, teamwork, planning and organizing, professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to continuous learning and knowledge sharing. Expertise in administration, community development, and business management is also relevant.

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