DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

18 August 2026-23:59-GMT+07:00 Indochina Time (Phnom Penh)

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ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

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WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

This vacancy announcement is open to non-Cambodian nationals only.

JOB TITLE: Disaster Risk Financing Specialist

TYPE OF CONTRACT: International Consultant (When Actually Employed)

UNIT/DIVISION: WFP Cambodia Country Office

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Phnom Penh, Cambodia

DURATION: Up to 80 days over 11 months from 15 September 2026 to 14 August 2027

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The World Food Programme (WFP) has been in Cambodia since 1979. The current WFP Cambodia Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2024-2028 aims to complement and contribute to the government’s efforts to achieve zero hunger through supporting social protection, climate and disaster risk management and food security and nutrition. Working across the humanitarian-development nexus, WFP has long supported national efforts to establish and strengthen the social protection system, focusing on social assistance, in close partnership with government institutions at the national and sub-national levels. Since the 1990s, WFP has co-implemented school feeding programmes, cash scholarships, food and cash for work schemes and emergency cash transfer programmes.

Cambodia faces challenges from climate and weather extremes that affect agriculture, livelihoods and food security, exacerbating poverty and vulnerability among households and eroding the country’s development gains. To address these challenges, the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia has adopted a comprehensive approach to prevent and mitigate the impact of shocks and stressors, with a focus on disaster risk management, climate, and social protection to build resilience and ensure the well-being of the population in the face of increasing risks. Notable efforts in this area include the launch of the country's first Disaster Risk Financing (DRF) Strategy in 2024 with technical assistance from the World Bank, and the adoption of the Shock-Responsive Social Protection Framework, launched in 2023 and developed in collaboration with the WFP. The National Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction (2024-2028) is another key instrument aligned with the priorities of the Sendai Framework with focus on strengthening disaster risk governance and investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience through adequate financing and support to vulnerable communities.

The implementation of these frameworks involves multiple institutions at both national and subnational levels in disaster risk management, public financial management and social protection. However, disaster risk financing is still in its infancy in Cambodia, resulting in a gap in capacity, knowledge and capabilities to design and manage people-centered disaster risk financing policies and instruments. At the same time, there are opportunities to strengthen linkages between different sectors to optimize approaches and coordination to better meet post-disaster financial needs, while safeguarding people's well-being, fiscal stability, and development goals. Building on its previous support in developing and operationalizing the Shock-Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) Framework, WFP Cambodia is committed to continuing its coordination role in linking climate and disaster risk financing and insurance (CDRFI) and SRSP, fostering knowledge and awareness of CDRFI and its opportunities to promote SRSP, while assisting the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) with required technical analysis and tailored capacity strengthening. WFP Cambodia aims to help prepare the institutional foundation, system readiness and knowledge basis, to kick-start the implementation of the DRF Strategy and accelerate the operationalization of the SRSP Framework.

OBJECTIVE and ACCOUNTABILITIES

The overall objective of this assignment is to support the WFP country office in providing technical assistance to the RGC to support the implementation of the national Disaster Risk Financing strategy (DRF-S) by:

• Support technical working groups and stakeholder engagement to promote risk-informed decision-making, ownership, and sustainability of systems, especially regarding strengthening the capacity of government institutions on CDRFI through targeted technical assistance, training, and knowledge transfer

• Providing evidence pieces for the benefit of CDRFI for SRSP

The consultant will report to the Integrated Risk Team Lead of WFP Cambodia and will work in close coordination with the Disaster Risk Financing and Social Protection Officers, as well as the Research, Assessment & Monitoring (RAM) team. The chosen candidate will support the following areas of work:

Assignment 1: Design and deliver tailored capacity strengthening for key government partners

Building on a CDRFI knowledge gap assessment conducted in 2026, the consultant will design and deliver a series of tailored trainings for government officials responsible for managing and administering CDRFI programs. These efforts will focus on expanding technical capacity of the Insurance Regulator of Cambodia (IRC) on insurance and risk transfer, as well as expanding foundational knowledge of different CDRFI concepts and instruments for money-out actors and other line ministries, if applicable. Specific modules will be determined, but may include:

A) Training series on capacity strengthening for IRC staff on innovative CDRFI models, including best-practices and case studies from other developed and emerging markets. This might include supporting the preparation of a South-South and triangular coordination (SSTC) knowledge exchange. Additionally, a short final guidance note on further required capacity strengthening activities for IRC that could not be addressed during this assignment is expected.

B) One orientation workshop (one to two days) to map out different CDRFI components supported by WFP and provide a refresher on national risk layering.

C) Training modules on foundational knowledge of CDRFI or related topics to money-out actors or other line ministries (if applicable).

Assignment 2: Investment case study CDRFI for SRSP

 

WFP will continue to advocate for people-centered disaster risk financing and to generate and provide the evidence required by the RGC to make informed choices and move forward with the establishment of required CDRFI institutions. IRC has requested technical assistance to conduct an investment case study on how disaster risk insurance can reduce the government’s fiscal burden during climate shocks, including for SRSP responses. Drawing on secondary literature review and key informant interviews, the consultant will develop an investment case study report.

DELIVERY SCHEDULE

Assignment 1 – Design and deliver capacity strengthening for the total of 40 days

Task: Desk review of relevant CDRFI documents and Knowledge Gap Assessment

Total day: 3 days, work remotely

Period: Sep 2026

Task: Prepare training series on capacity strengthening for IRC staff on innovative CDRFI models

Total days: 13 days, work remotely

Period: Sep – Nov 2026

Task: Deliver training series on capacity strengthening for IRC staff on innovative CDRFI models

Total day: 10 days, remote/on-site (Phnom Penh)

Period: Oct 2026 – Aug 2027

Task: Prepare orientation workshop to map out different CDRFI components supported by WFP and support to other knowledge sharing events if requested

Total days: 5 days, remote/on-site (Phnom Penh)

Period: Sept – Nov 2026

Task: Deliver orientation workshop to map out different CDRFI components supported by WFP

Total days: 2 days on-site (Phnom Penh)

Period: Oct – Nov 2026

Task: Prepare and deliver training modules on foundational CDRFI or other related topics (tbd) to money-out actors or other line ministries

Total days: 5 days, remote/on-site (Phnom Penh)

Period: March – Jul 2027

Task: final guidance note/concept note on further required capacity strengthening activities for IRC

Total days: 2 days, remote

Period: July 2027

Assignment 2 – Investment case study CDRFI for SRSP

Total days: 40 days

Task: Desk review of relevant CDRFI documents and secondary literature, preparation of KIIs

Total days: 10 days, remote

Period: Dec 2026 – Feb 2027

Task: In-country mission to conduct KIIs

Total days: 5 days on-site (Phnom Penh)

Period: Feb – April 2027

Task: Data analysis and compile final draft of investment case study CDRFI for SRSP

Total days: 15 days, remote

Period: March – May 2027

Task: Coordinate with Co and further consultants on aligning different CDRFI related work pieces and integration of CDRFI and SRSP

Total days: 8 days, remote

Period: Sep 2026 – Aug 2027

Task: Present findings of investment case study to government and/or wider stakeholders

Total days: 2 days, remote/on-site (Phnom Penh)

Period: June - Aug 2027

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

 

Education:

Advanced university degree in one of the following disciplines: economics, social sciences, agriculture, environmental sciences, agricultural insurance, social protection, disaster risk management, development studies, or other related fields.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in climate and disaster risk financing, insurance, digital financial inclusion or social protection.

• Proven experience in designing and facilitating workshops and training on financial instruments and insurance.

• Familiarity with CDRFI tools and mechanisms like SEADRIF​.

• Experience in organizing participatory processes, engaging in multi-sectoral processes and policy dialogues, and coordinating with a wide variety of stakeholders.

• Previous experience in Cambodia or similar context is highly desirable.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong analytical and project management capabilities.

• Expertise in stakeholder engagement and knowledge and awareness of country capacity strengthening approaches, and frameworks.

• Excellent writing and presentation skills.

• Knowledge of the Cambodian context and relevant government policies and strategies is highly desirable

• Ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and deliver assignments on time, while also working collaboratively and cross-culturally

Languages: Fluency (level C) in English language.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

 

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

 

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  [email protected]

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

 

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

 

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at [email protected]. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.