Ombuds Officer (Outreach & Communication) P4 - Rome, Italy

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

25 August 2026-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

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.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

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).

The position is located in the Office of the Ombudsperson and Mediation Services (OBD) in WFP HQ, Rome, Italy, and reports to the Ombudsperson and Director of the Office. To lead the promotion of informal conflict resolution as a key element of WFP’s internal justice system by developing outreach strategies, enhancing conflict prevention and resolution skills through training, and providing professional mediation and conflict resolution services. The role also involves provision of informal conflict resolution services to all employees, and identifies systemic issues and trends to facilitate workplace culture change.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

The position is located in the Office of the Ombudsperson and Mediation Services (OBD) in WFP HQ, Rome, Italy, and reports to the Ombudsperson and Director of the Office.

JOB PURPOSE:

To lead the promotion of informal conflict resolution as a key element of WFP’s internal justice system by developing outreach strategies, enhancing conflict prevention and resolution skills through training, and providing professional mediation and conflict resolution services. The role also involves the provision of informal conflict resolution services to all employees and identifies systemic issues and trends to facilitate workplace culture change.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Develop and oversee the implementation of the OBD’s outreach and communication strategy aimed at promoting awareness and understanding of its role and services in informal conflict resolution. Increase the visibility of the Office, and its services, including the Respectful Workplace Allies (RWA) programme, and clarify its position within WFP’s internal justice system.

• Oversee the production of informational and educational materials related to OBD’s activities, conflict resolution competencies, and interpersonal skills to ensure effective design and delivery of products.

• Design and lead communication and engagement campaigns for specific events, such as the International Ombuds Day and the release of OBD’s Annual Report ensuring these campaigns effectively promote OBD’s role and activities, enhancing staff engagement and awareness.

• Build effective collaborations and partnerships internally and externally to align activities and ensure a coherent approach to communications in line with WFP policies and strategies.

• Stay abreast of new developments, policies, and strategies within WFP, as well as of new organizational requirements and their implications for OBD. Coordinate OBD’s timely input on these developments, ensuring necessary responses and adjustments align with evolving organizational needs.

• Lead OBD’s Capacity Building Programme for all WFP employees and managed collaboration with stakeholders on capacity-building efforts within WFP. Oversee the development of new training formats and ensure integration of WFP’s updated frameworks and policies into OBD’s existing training materials as appropriate. Design and implement targeted capacity-building initiatives for WFP’s Respectful Workplace Advisors.

• Identify systemic issues, trends, and patterns in the workplace, and provide early warning upward feedback.

• Lead the coordination and review of the drafting process of OBD’s Annual Report and draft sections as required. Oversee the design and publication process in collaboration with the Executive Board Secretariat and an external designer. Furthermore, develop a strategic communication plan to disseminate the report’s findings to WFP’s employees, stakeholders, and the Member States.

• Prepare briefings for the Ombudsperson to present to the Executive Board, senior management, and other WFP bodies. Provide strategic advice to the Ombudsperson on organizational trends and systemic issues that require attention, while also enhancing outreach and liaison efforts with Member States. - Provide a comprehensive range of ombuds services to WFP employees, including those in offices not covered by OBD’s network of outposted Ombuds Officers. Operate in compliance with the Standards of Practice for UN System Ombudsman and Mediators, and safeguard independence, impartiality, neutrality, confidentiality, and informality.

• Engage with employees and managers in confidential one-on-one meetings to explore options for addressing workplace concerns. Provide coaching to empower them to address their issues autonomously and guide them to adequate sources of information.

• Take responsibility for an equitable and inclusive workplace that incorporates all WFP diversity and inclusion framework dimensions.

• Perform other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Conflict Resolution, Social Sciences, Law, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Communications, or other related field, or first university degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training.

Experience:

• At least 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience in conflict resolution, mediation, organizational communications, or related areas.

• Experience in leading communication strategies and outreach efforts, ideally within a large international organization.

• Proven experience in developing and delivering capacity-building programs, particularly related to conflict prevention and resolution.

• Experience in providing mediation or other informal conflict resolution services in line with international ombuds standards.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Excellent knowledge of conflict resolution practices and the principles of ombudsman practice.

• Ability to identify workplace trends and provide strategic advice to senior management.

• Familiarity with developing training materials and overseeing capacity-building initiatives.

• Demonstrated writing and editorial skills for producing reports and informational materials.

• Skilled in building partnerships and collaboration both internally and externally.

• Excellent project management skills, with experience in overseeing events and campaigns.

Language:

• Fluency (Level C) in English. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working 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.