Programme Associate (School Meals/Feeding), G6, Mogadishu

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

29 November 2026-23:59-GMT+03:00 East Africa Time (Mogadishu)

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 extreme weather shocks.

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).

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. The Programme Associate (School Meals) will support the implementation and day-to-day management of WFP Somalia's School Meals Programme under the supervision of the Programme Policy Officer (School Meals) and the guidance of Head of Human Capital Development. The position will contribute to the effective delivery, monitoring, reporting, coordination, and administration of school meals activities across Somalia.

The incumbent will work closely with government counterparts, Area Offices, cooperating partners, schools, community structures, service providers, and other stakeholders to ensure efficient programme implementation and compliance with WFP policies, procedures, and quality standards. The position supports WFP's efforts to strengthen nationally owned school meals systems and contributes to broader education, nutrition, social protection, and human capital development objectives.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

To provide specialized programme and administrative support for the planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, coordination, and operational follow-up of school meals activities. The position will ensure accurate programme information management, effective stakeholder coordination, timely reporting, and support to field implementation and systems-strengthening initiatives.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority)

• Support the implementation of school meals activities in accordance with approved workplans, budgets, operational guidelines, donor commitments, and WFP procedures.

• Assist in the preparation of implementation plans, activity schedules, operational updates, and programme tracking tools.

• Coordinate day-to-day implementation with Area Offices, government counterparts, schools, cooperating partners, and community structures to ensure timely delivery of programme activities.

• Participate in monitoring visits, school assessments, verification exercises, and field missions to assess programme performance, compliance, and implementation progress.

• Consolidate monitoring findings and support follow-up on recommendations arising from monitoring activities, evaluations, audits, and reviews.

• Support accountability and beneficiary engagement processes, including feedback and complaints mechanisms, ensuring concerns are documented and addressed appropriately.

• Maintain accurate programme records and databases, and compile, verify, and analyze implementation data received from field offices and partners.

• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of programme activities and results in WFP corporate systems, including COMET, SCOPE, and other relevant platforms.

• Prepare periodic and ad hoc reports, briefing notes, presentations, factsheets, and other programme information products.

• Support performance monitoring, indicator tracking, results reporting, and documentation of lessons learned and good practices.

• Organize meetings, workshops, consultations, training sessions, and field missions, including preparation of agendas, minutes, action points, and follow-up actions.

• Support capacity strengthening activities for government counterparts, schools, community education committees, parent associations, and cooperating partners.

• Liaise with relevant WFP units, including Supply Chain, Finance, Administration, Partnerships, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Area Offices, to facilitate effective programme implementation.

• Support operational and administrative processes related to school meals activities, including follow-up on requisitions, contracts, invoices, service requests, and programme documentation.

• Promote the integration of gender, protection, disability inclusion, and accountability to affected populations considerations throughout programme implementation and monitoring.

• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

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QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Education: Completion of secondary school education OR University degree (Diploma/Bachelor) in degree in Education, Social Sciences, Nutrition, Public Health, administration, Development Studies, Agriculture or other related in functional area is desirable.

Experience: At least Six (6) years of experience with a Secondary School Certificate OR University Degree (Diploma/Bachelor’s) with a minimum of two (2) or more years of relevant experience in programme implementation, project management support, education, social protection, food security, nutrition, humanitarian assistance,  development programming or any other related field.

Language Proficiency:  Fluency (level C) in English language and Somali Language.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Good understanding of school meals, education, nutrition, and community-based programming.

• Experience in programme implementation, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder coordination.

• Strong data management, analytical, and report writing skills.

• Ability to work effectively with government institutions, development partners, and community stakeholders.

• Strong organizational, planning, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.

• 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.

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.