Programme Policy Officer - School Meals/Feeding

Vacancy Announcement No: JR128484
Job Title: Programme Policy Officer - School Meals/Feeding
Contract Type/Grade: Fixed Term, NOB
Duty Station: Mogadishu
Contract Duration: 12 Months (Renewable)
Date of Issue: November 15, 2026 | Closing Date: November 29, 2026

BACKGROUND:
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve
Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.
The WFP Somalia Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2026–2030 is focused on supporting Somalia's transition from recurring humanitarian crises toward greater resilience,
self-reliance, and nationally led development. The CSP combines humanitarian assistance with investments in human capital, food systems, climate resilience, and
institutional capacity. WFP aims to address immediate food and nutrition needs while strengthening government systems and local capacities to reduce vulnerability
to shocks, improve nutrition outcomes, enhance sustainable livelihoods, and build more resilient communities.
(WFP) advances human capital development by integrating nutrition, social protection and school meals into a comprehensive approach where all activities contribute
to one overall objective.
Somalia faces recurring food insecurity, climate shocks, conflict-related displacement, and high levels of malnutrition, which continue to negatively affect school
attendance, learning outcomes, retention, and the wellbeing of children. School Meals represent a key investment in human capital development and provide an
effective platform for improving education outcomes, nutrition, social protection, gender equality, and community resilience.
WFP, in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia, State Ministries of Education, development partners and local communities, is supporting the
expansion and strengthening of a nationally owned school meals Programme. This includes transitioning from direct implementation towards government leadership,
strengthening local food systems, improving Programme quality and accountability, and integrating school meals within broader social protection and human
development frameworks.
Purpose:
This position is based in our Country Office in Mogadishu, Somalia and entails operations management as well as strategic engagement with key stakeholders and
operational partners and teams. The Programme Policy Officer (School Meals) will lead the operational planning, implementation, monitoring, coordination and
expansion of school meals activities across Somalia, ensuring alignment with WFP corporate priorities, the Country Strategic Plan, Government education priorities,
and national school feeding objectives.
Under the supervision of the Head of HCD, the PPO- School Meals will lead the school feeding team within the HCD portfolio to lead improvements in programming
quality implementation and building government capacity.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority)
• Provide strategic and operational leadership on WFP's school meals portfolio, ensuring alignment with national development priorities, WFP strategies, and

donor commitments. Provide technical inputs to Programme and project design, including concept notes, project documents, operational plans, implementation
strategies, and results frameworks
• Lead the integration and linkages between school meals programmes and broader social protection and nutrition in general and ECCT pilot in particular.
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance for Programme implementation, ensuring compliance with WFP standards, government requirements, and
donor commitments.
• Support policy dialogue and technical discussions on social protection reforms, expansion pathways, and shock-responsive social protection.
• Represent WFP in technical working groups, policy forums, interagency platforms, sector coordination, and partner meetings, positioning WFP as a leading
partner in school meals.
• Coordinate strategic engagement with federal, state, and district authorities and promote collaborative and complementary approaches across stakeholders.
• Support preparedness, contingency planning, and the integration of shock-responsive approaches within school meals systems.
• Support resource mobilization efforts through the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, investment cases, donor reports, presentations, and
engagement strategies.
• Lead the development and implementation of research, learning, and evidence-generation agendas that strengthen school meals programming.
• Provide technical assistance and institutional capacity strengthening to government counterparts, WFP Country and Area Offices, and implementing partners.
• Contribute to annual, quarterly, and monthly reports, briefing notes, activity summaries, presentations, and strategic communications materials.
• Perform other related duties as required or delegated by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:
Education: Advanced University Degree in Development, Education, Public Policy, Nutrition, Agriculture, Social Sciences, Economics, or any other related field. OR
First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or relevant training courses.
Experience: At least three (3) years of relevant professional experience with an Advanced University Degree OR a First University Degree with a minimum of
five (5) years preferably in post-conflict and fragile settings, in one or more of the following areas: project and Programme management, strategic planning, strategic
engagement, networking, coordination, partnership development, and stakeholder engagement.
Language Proficiency: Proficiency: Fluency (level C) in English and Somali language.
Knowledge & Skills:
• Knowledge of food and nutrition security-related concepts and programmes;
• Skills or experience in designing and implementing programmes with multiple stakeholders. Specific experience in or knowledge of school feeding or school
health and nutrition is an added advantage.
• Understanding of government capacity strengthening and technical assistance.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds and to manage a
team.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

This position is open to qualified Somali national candidates only. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. WFP Somalia offers
female friendly spaces in the workplace.
Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit online applications through Workday using the link below:
• Internal Applicants: Click here!
• External Applicants: Click here!
Applications that do not meet the above requirements will be disregarded. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
WFP seeks applicants of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. WFP is an equal
opportunity employer, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.
Selection of candidates is made on a competitive basis.
WFP does not charge any application fees to candidates.