Programme Policy Officer (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion)_CST Level 1

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

26 October 2026-23:59-GMT+07:00 Indochina Time (Vientiane)

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).

The GEDSI Officer position is established to support the implementation of WFP Lao PDR's new CSP 2027–2031 by ensuring the systematic integration of gender equality, disability inclusion and broader social inclusion considerations across all strategic outcomes and activities. The position will help the Country Office meet corporate Framework for Action Results (FAR) requirements and maintain continuity in mainstreaming GEDSI principles throughout programme design, implementation, monitoring, partnerships and evidence generation.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

WFP Lao PDR has developed its Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2027–2031, which is pending approval by the WFP Executive Board in November 2026 and will take effect in January 2027. The new CSP combines targeted assistance with stronger national and subnational systems for emergency preparedness and response, nutrition, resilient livelihoods, school meals and shock-responsive social protection. Across all outcomes, WFP will integrate inclusion, protection and accountability, with particular attention to women, children, persons with disabilities, minority communities and remote populations.

The Programme Policy Officer – Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) is expected to commence at the beginning of the new CSP implementation period. The incumbent will provide programme-facing technical leadership to ensure that gender equality and women’s empowerment, disability inclusion and broader social inclusion are embedded in programme analysis, design, implementation, monitoring, learning, partnerships and resource mobilization. The role will support activity managers and field teams in translating corporate commitments and the CSP’s Framework on Accountability for Results into practical, measurable and context-appropriate actions.

The position will focus primarily on gender equality, disability inclusion and social inclusion as integral dimensions of programme quality. The incumbent will coordinate closely with the national officer responsible for the Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM), protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), accountability to affected people (AAP) and related protection responsibilities. The incumbent will provide technical inputs where these areas intersect with GEDSI and programme design but will not be responsible for day-to-day CFM management, case handling, PSEA coordination or other operational protection functions assigned to that officer.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The GEDSI Officer position is established to support the implementation of WFP Lao PDR's new CSP 2027–2031 by ensuring the systematic integration of gender equality, disability inclusion and broader social inclusion considerations across all strategic outcomes and activities. The position will help the Country Office meet corporate Framework for Action Results (FAR) requirements and maintain continuity in mainstreaming GEDSI principles throughout programme design, implementation, monitoring, partnerships and evidence generation.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic direction and CSP implementation

• Support the development, implementation and review of the Country Office GEDSI approach and action plan, aligned with the CSP 2027–2031, the Framework on Accountability for Results, and relevant WFP policies and standards.
• Provide technical support to programme teams and field offices on GEDSI priorities, risks, opportunities and inclusive programming approaches.
• Support the integration of GEDSI considerations, indicators and milestones into programme activities, and contribute to monitoring and reporting through programme reviews, the ACR and donor reports.
• Promote a twin-track approach by supporting both GEDSI mainstreaming and targeted actions to address barriers faced by women and girls, persons with disabilities, minority communities, Indigenous Peoples (where applicable), and other at-risk groups.
• Contribute to programme design, transition planning, localization and systems-strengthening efforts to help ensure interventions are inclusive and responsive to diverse needs and barriers.

2. Programme design, quality and technical support

• Support SO Managers, Programme, Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) teams and field offices to integrate GEDSI considerations throughout the programme cycle, including assessments, targeting, activity design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Work with SO Managers across emergency response, nutrition, resilient livelihoods and food systems, school meals, and shock-responsive social protection to identify and address barriers related to gender, disability and social exclusion.
• Review programme and partnership documents and provide practical recommendations to strengthen inclusion, participation and programme quality.
• Promote accessible and inclusive communication, consultation and service delivery, and support engagement with women's organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, minority community representatives and other relevant local actors.
• Contribute GEDSI inputs to safeguards, data protection, risk management and other relevant programme processes in coordination with responsible teams.

3. Evidence, monitoring and learning

• Work with the RAM Unit and SO Managers to strengthen inclusive assessments, targeting, monitoring, learning and the use of sex-, age- and disability-disaggregated data, in line with data protection and do-no-harm principles.
• Support analysis of programme evidence and community feedback to identify barriers and disparities in access, participation and benefits, and contribute practical recommendations for programme improvement and adaptation.
• Contribute GEDSI-related analyses, learning products and reporting inputs for the Annual Country Report (ACR), donor reports, evaluations, management briefings and other corporate reporting requirements.

4. Capacity strengthening and institutionalization

• Assess capacity needs and support the delivery of training, coaching and learning activities on gender-responsive and disability-inclusive programming, meaningful participation and inclusive use of data and evidence.
• Develop practical tools, guidance and learning materials to help SO Managers, programme teams and field offices apply GEDSI standards in their daily work.
• Support the integration of GEDSI responsibilities into workplans, programme reviews and implementation processes to strengthen ownership and accountability across teams.

5. Partnerships, advocacy and representation

• Support engagement with government counterparts, UN agencies, development partners, civil society, women-led organizations and organizations of persons with disabilities to promote inclusive food security, nutrition and resilience outcomes.
• Represent WFP, as delegated, in relevant United Nations and national GEDSI coordination forums and support the preparation of briefing notes, presentations and advocacy materials.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts by integrating GEDSI analysis, results and budget considerations into project proposals, concept notes and partnership materials.

6. Coordination with CFM, AAP, PSEA and protection functions

• Coordinate with the designated national officer responsible for CFM, PSEA, AAP and protection to ensure alignment, complementarity and clear division of responsibilities.
• Provide GEDSI inputs to community engagement, feedback and consultation processes to strengthen accessibility, inclusion and meaningful participation of women, persons with disabilities, minority communities and other at-risk groups.
• Support programme, monitoring and field teams to incorporate relevant lessons and trends from community feedback into programme design, learning and adaptation, in coordination with the designated national officer.

7. Other responsibilities

• Perform other related duties as required in support of Country Office programme priorities and organizational objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

 

EDUCATION:

Advanced university degree in gender studies, development studies, social sciences, disability studies, human rights, international development, public policy or another relevant field; or a first university degree with additional years of related professional experience and/or relevant training.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least three years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in gender equality, disability inclusion, social inclusion or inclusive programme policy and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience supporting programme design, implementation, monitoring and learning in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Experience with the United Nations, WFP, government systems, food security, nutrition, social protection, school meals, resilience or emergency programming is an asset. Experience working in Lao PDR or Southeast Asia is desirable.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Strong technical knowledge of gender equality and women’s empowerment, disability inclusion and social inclusion in programme settings.
• Ability to translate policy commitments into practical programme actions and measurable results. Strong analytical, writing, facilitation and capacity-strengthening skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work across programme teams and with government, civil society and organizations of persons with disabilities.
• Sound judgement when handling sensitive issues and clear understanding of referral and safeguarding boundaries.
• Familiarity with inclusive data, qualitative research, results-based management and donor reporting is desirable.  

LANGUAGE: 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.