Delegation of Authority and Governance Consultant

World Food Programme; Roma; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The World Food Programme (WFP) in Rome invites a Regular Consultant to join the Internal Governance Unit (RMG) to advance delegation of authority and governance projects. You will support two key workstreams—DoA governance and governance structures for small country offices—through data analysis, collaboration, and written guidance.

Ideal candidates have an advanced degree and at least seven years of relevant experience, with strong coordination and analytical skills to deliver high-quality

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in finance or related field.
• Seven years of relevant professional experience including project coordination and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Refresh the Excel-based DoA inventory.
• Map DoA workflow and research other UN agencies’ approaches.
• Develop corporate guidance for governance for small country offices.
• Review definitions of small country offices and determine minimum committee requirements.
• Draft basic corporate guidance for consultation.
• Coordinate development of written material and timelines.
• Analyze data and ensure high-quality work products.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Project coordination

Data analysis

Problem solving

Time management

Education

Advanced degree in finance or related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

7 November 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 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).

JOB TITLE: Delegation of authority and governance consultant

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Regular Consultant

UNIT/DIVISION: Internal Governance Unit / Risk Management Division

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Rome, Italy

DURATION: EOD: as soon as possible (3 November 2026); NTE: 31 December 2026

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. It is one of the largest programmes in the United Nations common system, both by number of employees and by revenue. WFP is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

The Risk Management Division (RMD) aims to strengthen, embed and achieve continuous improvements in risk management, internal control and compliance, oversight reporting, anti-fraud & anti-corruption measures and donor review management throughout WFP, and organizational learning in these areas.In 2026, RMD established a new unit titled Internal Governance Unit (RMG), which focuses on issues related to internal governance in WFP such as delegation of authority, committee governance and advisory services on normative instruments, amongst others.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent will join the RMG team to provide support on two key ongoing projects:

Delegation of authority workstream

The 2024 report from the External Auditor identified weaknesses in WFP’s delegation of authority (DoAs) structures including the lack of a system for maintaining them.

• Refreshing the Excel based inventory of DoAs
• Mapping out workflow
• Research on other UN agencies’ approach to a DoA system

Governance structures for small country offices

Recent internal audit reports, e.g. Namibia and Republic of the Congo, have identified weaknesses related to governance of committees in small country offices, including not a clear division of work, inappropriate chairpersons, etc. Rather than addressing this on a case-by-case basis, the objective is to develop corporate guidance that will assist smaller country offices to ensure adequate governance.

• Review existing definitions of small country offices within WFP, obtain consensus on the most suitable one also taking into account the new country office structures that are being implemented.
• Liaise with global headquarters functions to determine minimum requirements for committees at the country office level, regardless of size of country office.
• In coordination with the functions, develop the ideal structure for small country offices.
• Draft a basic corporate guidance for consultation.

To successfully implement the above-mentioned, projects, the incumbent is expected to:

• Understand the structure of delegation of authority;
• Build and manage cohesive and collaborative cross-functional relationships;
• Participate in development of timelines for projects;
• Coordinate and develop written material on the projects;
• Analyze data and information with great care and attention to details;
• Be accountable for comprehensive, quality-checked and accurate work products.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: Advanced degree, preferably in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, law, international relations, development, political science, or a related field.

Experience: Seven years of relevant professional experience, including experience in project coordination and data analysis and a deep understanding of WFP’s governance and business processes.

Knowledge & Skills:

The candidate must possess a combination of strong analytical and interpersonal skills and be able to:

• critically review and analyze data and other information;
• write clearly and concisely for varied purposes and audiences;
• anticipate requirements, problems, and obstacles and problem- solve independently, with flexibility and adaptability;
• work accurately at a fast pace and under tight deadlines while staying focused and calm under pressure;
• manage multiple and competing demands in an organized and timely manner and with a sense of when and how to elevate issues;
• demonstrate humility and a willingness to learn and share knowledge, frequently seeking and acting on feedback;
• respond and adapt to change, showing high tolerance for uncertainty in different contexts; and
• proficient in MS’ range of software applications.

Languages: Fluent written and spoken English.

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: [e-mail]

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.