Programme Policy Officer (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion)_CST Level 1
Organizational Context
WFP Lao PDR is implementing its Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2027–2031, focusing on emergency preparedness, nutrition, resilient livelihoods, school meals, and social protection. The organization emphasizes inclusion, protection, and accountability for diverse groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and minority communities. This role supports the integration of these principles across all WFP activities in Lao PDR.
Job Purpose
The Programme Policy Officer (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion - GEDSI) will provide technical leadership to ensure the systematic integration of GEDSI principles across WFP Lao PDR's Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2027–2031. This involves embedding gender equality, women's empowerment, disability inclusion, and broader social inclusion into programme analysis, design, implementation, monitoring, learning, partnerships, and resource mobilization. The role will support activity managers and field teams in translating corporate commitments and accountability frameworks into practical, measurable actions. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing the GEDSI approach, providing technical support on inclusive programming, strengthening inclusive data collection and analysis, and building capacity among staff and partners. The officer will also contribute to evidence generation, learning, and advocacy, ensuring that WFP's interventions are responsive to the diverse needs and barriers faced by vulnerable populations, thereby enhancing programme quality and impact.
Responsibilities
The Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Officer plays a crucial role in integrating these principles into WFP Lao PDR's Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2027-2031. This involves ensuring that gender equality, women's empowerment, disability inclusion, and broader social inclusion are systematically embedded across all strategic outcomes and activities. The officer will provide technical leadership to support programme design, implementation, monitoring, learning, partnerships, and resource mobilization, ensuring alignment with corporate Framework for Action Results (FAR) requirements. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing a GEDSI approach and action plan, providing technical support to programme teams, and integrating GEDSI considerations into programme activities, indicators, and reporting. The role also involves supporting a twin-track approach that combines mainstreaming GEDSI with targeted actions for vulnerable groups, and contributing to programme design to address barriers faced by diverse populations. Furthermore, the officer will strengthen inclusive assessments, monitoring, and the use of disaggregated data, contribute to evidence generation and learning, and develop capacity-strengthening initiatives for staff and partners. Collaboration with government counterparts, UN agencies, civil society, and organizations representing women and persons with disabilities is essential for promoting inclusive outcomes and advocacy. The position also requires coordination with functions related to community feedback mechanisms, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, and accountability to affected people, ensuring GEDSI inputs enhance accessibility and meaningful participation. The officer will contribute to resource mobilization by integrating GEDSI analysis into proposals and representing WFP in relevant forums.
Work Experience
Requires at least three years of postgraduate professional experience in gender equality, disability inclusion, social inclusion, or inclusive program policy and implementation. Must have demonstrated experience supporting program design, implementation, monitoring, and learning within humanitarian or development contexts.
Skills
Gender Equality, Disability Inclusion, Social Inclusion, Programme Design, Monitoring and Evaluation, Capacity Strengthening, Partnerships, Advocacy, Data Analysis, Humanitarian Assistance, Development Programming