Programme Policy Officer - Human Capital Development (Consultant Level II)
Organizational Context
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace and prosperity. WFP Somalia's Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2026–2030 focuses on supporting the nation's transition from humanitarian crises to resilience and self-reliance, integrating humanitarian assistance with investments in human capital, food systems, and climate resilience.
Job Purpose
The Programme Policy Officer - Human Capital Development (Consultant Level II) will play a crucial role in WFP Somalia's Country Strategic Plan by supporting integrated investments in human capital. This position, based in Mogadishu, will provide technical and operational leadership for both school feeding and social protection programmes, ensuring coherence and quality implementation. The role involves strategic engagement with government ministries, donors, and partners, contributing to policy dialogue, strengthening social protection systems, and advancing women's economic empowerment. The officer will lead efforts to integrate school meals with broader social protection and nutrition initiatives, support resource mobilization, and foster research and learning agendas to enhance government capacity and improve food security, nutrition, and resilience outcomes.
Responsibilities
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and building a path to peace and stability through food assistance. WFP operates globally, aiming to achieve Zero Hunger and ensure that vulnerable populations, especially women and children, have access to nutritious food. The WFP Somalia Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2026–2030 focuses on transitioning Somalia from humanitarian crises to resilience and self-reliance, integrating humanitarian aid with investments in human capital, food systems, climate resilience, and institutional capacity. This role, based in Mogadishu, supports integrated human capital development by combining school feeding and social protection responsibilities. Key accountabilities include serving as a technical focal point for donor-funded initiatives, supporting policy dialogue on social protection reforms, strengthening digital financial inclusion and women's economic empowerment, and providing strategic leadership for the school meals portfolio. The position involves ensuring program quality, building government capacity, strengthening partnerships with government ministries and development partners, and representing WFP in technical forums. Responsibilities also extend to contributing to programme design, supporting resource mobilization, leading research and evidence generation, and providing technical assistance to counterparts and partners. The role requires strong analytical and interpersonal skills, with a preference for candidates with experience in social protection systems and World Bank-funded programs.
Work Experience
Requires at least five years of relevant experience with an advanced degree, or seven years with a first degree. Key experience areas include programme management, government engagement, donor coordination, and partner relationship management. Experience with social protection systems and World Bank-funded projects is highly desirable. Previous work with government counterparts, development partners, and multi-stakeholder initiatives is an advantage.
Skills
Social Protection, Public Policy, Economics, International Development, Education, Nutrition, Social Sciences, Programme Management, Government Engagement, Donor Coordination, Partner Relationship Management, Digital Financial Inclusion, Women's Economic Empowerment, School Feeding, Human Capital Development, Data Management, Research and Learning, Resource Mobilization, Analytical Skills, Interpersonal Skills