Programme Policy Officer (Food Technologist) NOB

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

23 September 2026-23:59-GMT Greenwich Mean Time (Dakar)

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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).

JOB TITLE: Programme Policy Officer (Food Technologist)
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Fixed term, NOB
DUTY STATION: Dakar, Sénégal with travel within West 
African and Central African region
DURATION: 1 year (renewable)
 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is implementing interventions aimed at strengthening local agri-food value chains and improving the nutritional quality of foods available to vulnerable populations, particularly through food fortification initiatives.
These interventions are part of the nutrition strategy of WFP’s Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa (WACARO), which seeks to strengthen local food systems, improve access to safe and nutritious foods, and reduce all forms of malnutrition across the region.
WFP WACARO is seeking a Food Technologist/Nutritionist with strong operational expertise in large-scale food fortification (LSFF), Nutrition Value Chains (NVC), and local food solutions in West and Central Africa. The position will contribute to ensuring the availability of safe, nutritious, and affordable foods while supporting efforts to strengthen food environments through engagement with key regional stakeholders.
The incumbent will play a critical role in advancing the Nutrition Value Chain pillar within the West and Central Africa region. Reporting directly to the Team Leader, Food Quality and Strategy (FQS) within the Nutrition Unit at WACARO, the selected candidate will provide high-level  technical support for food processing and fortification initiatives and contribute to analytical and operational activities in line with WFP guidelines and the WFP Strategic Plan.
The Food Technologist/Nutritionist will work closely with Nutrition colleagues across WFP globally, as well as with Programme and Supply Chain teams, to strengthen the integration of nutrition objectives across WFP interventions.
Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader, Food Quality and Strategy (FQS), the Food  Technologist/Nutritionist will be responsible for the following duties:
 

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
•Provide context-specific and tailored technical and programmatic 
support on local food production, local food solutions, and food 
fortification
• Provide technical assistance to local producers of fortified foods on key food technology and fortification areas, including food processing, product formulation, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Hygiene Practices (GHP), quality assurance, and quality control, with the aim of strengthening local capacity to produce safe and nutritious foods.
• Collaborate with national food technologists, nutritionists, programme, and Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) colleagues, as well as relevant government and private-sector stakeholders, to ensure that safe, high-quality, and nutritionally adequate food products are accessible to local populations and, where appropriate, integrated into WFP food assistance programmes.
• Support Country Offices in engaging with a diverse range of private-sector actors, from women-led producer groups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to large national food manufacturers, while promoting value chain approaches that connect smallholder farmer organizations, processors, distributors, and consumers.
• Ensure that relevant Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) approaches and messaging that influence food choices and dietary practices are incorporated into food production and processing initiatives, and reflected in stakeholders’ practices and decision-making processes.
• Provide technical support for the design, implementation, monitoring, and scaling up of large-scale food fortification programmes and initiatives.
• Contribute to knowledge management, documentation of lessons learned, and dissemination of best practices related to local food solutions, food fortification, and nutrition-sensitive value chain development.
• Perform any other duties as required by the Team Leader, Food Quality and Strategy (FQS), and the Regional Nutrition Advisor.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
• Fortification and processed food commodities
• Ability to demonstrate a client-oriented approach, high sense of responsibility, and 
courtesy.
• Mature judgment with good communication and interpersonal skills

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Advanced university degree in Food Technology, Food Engineering, Agrobusiness, Health Sciences, Nutrition or equivalent related field.

• Experience: At least 3 years of postgraduate professional level experience in the similar field in country or abroad. Previous &/or current working experience in WACARO region and procedures knowledge.

• Language: Fluency in English and French
 

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.