Program Assistant (Nutrition), Palakkad , Kerala

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

19 August 2026-23:59-GMT+05:30 India Standard Time (Kolkata)

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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.

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).

VACANCY DETAILS

Job Title: Programme Assistant (Nutrition)

Grade: Level 4

Type of Contract: Service Contract

Duration: One Year (Renewable)

Reporting To: Programme Policy Officer (Nutrition)

Unit: Nutrition & School Feeding Unit

Duty Station: Palakkad, Kerala

Date of Publication: 05 August 2026

Deadline of Application: 19 August 2026

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This vacancy is open to Indian National only
This vacancy is open to internal and external candidates.
Knowledge of Malayalam Language is mandatory for this position.

Only recommended candidates will be retained on roaster for a period of two years and may be considered for similar positions from roaster
The Salary for this position is INR 66485/- Per Month + 8.33% of Base Salary towards Social Security, also employee will be covered with medical benefits as per WFP 's Plan. All Tax liability for payments from this contract are to be borne by the subscriber

Purpose and Key accountabilities:

The Programme Assistant under the direct guidance of the Programme Policy Officer (Nutrition) and the overall guidance of the Head of the Nutrition and School feeding Unit and in coordination with the Senior Programme Associate in Kerala will be responsible for supporting and contributing towards WFP’s efforts in Kerala, which are as follows:

Project Management:

• Provide support in the planning, creation and implementation of various activities and processes on the nutrition garden intervention at Anganwadi centers aligned to the guidance from WFP and State/ district administration.
• Act as a point of contact for resolution of a range of operational queries and problems faced in the execution of the WFP planned project interventions in Anganwadi center.
• Work and exchange information with internal counterparts to support effective collaboration, implementation and monitoring of the activities.
• Review the work of the WFP contracted field partner, providing guidance to contribute delivering objectives to agreed standards and timelines.
• Support in organizing and conducting capacity building of the anganwadi workers and anganwadi helpers on various nutrition garden project related aspects.
• Work in tandem with WFP CO/ State team for support and direction.

Project Monitoring:

• Make regular visits to the anganwadi centers to monitor the implementation of the project, identify the gaps in implementation and suggest mid-course correction.
• Attend the monthly meetings of the WFP field partner and their staff.

Documentation and Knowledge Management:

• Prepare monthly project progress reports at the district level for sharing with all the stakeholders.
• Support in aggregation and classify the best approach of execution for wider dissemination.

Coordination:

• Coordinate with government counterparts of district.
• Liaise with project stakeholders for timely implementation and speedy resolution of issues identified in the projects.

Other related duties as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Completion of secondary school education. A university degree in Nutrition, Public health, Agriculture, Management or Social sciences is preferable.

EXPERIENCE

4 years of progressively responsible work experience preferably in the development sector in partnership with the government/UN agency/INGO. Experience on supporting the implementation of projects or working on projects targeted at young children at anganwadi centers is desirable

CRITICAL SKILLS

Ability to frame, draft and type official letters, notes and guidelines related to the program in Hindi as and when required.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Excellent interpersonal skills required, including excellent communication.
• Advocacy and networking skills with a broad range of partners including government/ private sector, civil society, academia, NGO and international cooperation
• Knowledge of research methods and acquaintance in quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Advanced computer skills with proficiency in Windows, Microsoft office.
• Knowledge of UN system would be an asset
• Knowledge of WFP programmes is an advantage
• Capability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of nutrition and food security professionals across fourteen countries
• Tact and diplomacy

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

• Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of actors from government, private sector and civil society.
• Very strong communications skills, both in writing and speaking
• Solid planning and problem-solving skills and action oriented
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and simultaneously manage multiple tasks in an autonomous manner.
• Maturity, initiative, courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds
• Ability to handle any other additional tasks as requested by the supervisor.
• Ability to undertake travel within the country/ State and district.

LANGUAGE

Proficiency in spoken and written English and Malayalam. Ability to speak in other native languages is a plus

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

ABOUT WFP

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.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Background: The World Food Programme (WFP), operating in India since 1963, aims to provide technical support towards strengthening the efficiency and nutritional effectiveness of the government’s food safety-nets programmes.

To facilitate India’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 17, and in sustainably reducing malnutrition, WFP will support governments “By 2030, beneficiaries of the Government of India’s food-based social protection systems have increased consumption of diverse, nutritious and fortified foods” as laid down in the Country Strategic Plan (2023-27). This primarily translates into WFP working with National and State governments to improve the nutritional status of the population through introduction of nutritionally viable solutions and best practices in existing systems and enhancing the nutritional effectiveness of the three food-based safety nets namely the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), the PM POSHAN scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. Social behaviour change communication (SBCC) activities accompany all interventions to help target audiences to know more about the benefits of good nutrition, appropriate child feeding practices and appropriate health and hygiene practices.

WFP In Kerala

Aligned to this overarching vision around improved nutrition, WFP plans to/ has been working in Kerala across several Departments and with various stakeholders for:

• Scale up of distribution and consumption of fortified rice in TPDS, PM POSHAN and ICDS.
• Improvement in the nutritional value, quality and consumption of age-appropriate take home rations (THR) for young children and pregnant/lactating women through the ICDS
• Setting up and scaling up Nutri-gardens in the Anganwadi centres to bring in diversity to the meals consumed by children 3-6 years at the Anganwadi centres.
• Social behaviour change communication aimed at improving nutritional practices amongst different sections of the community and in particular the beneficiaries of the food-based safety nets.

WFP supports the Government of Kerala in various nutrition programs and is providing technical assistance in establishing nutrition gardens in Anganwadi centers. The goal of the intervention is to enhance dietary diversity and contribute to reduced micronutrient deficiencies amongst 3-6 years children covered under ICDS scheme in Palakkad district of Kerala.

As a part of this partnership, WFP intends to recruit a staff member to be based in Palakkad District, who is aware of the government systems, processes, and the Anganwadi centers situation in Kerala.

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.

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• 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.