Programme Policy Officer - NOB - Lahore

World Food Programme; Lahore; On-site; PKR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

World Food Programme Lahore-based position for a Programme Policy Officer to lead nutrition, food systems and school meals initiatives in Punjab. The role engages with provincial authorities to shape policy and manage programme delivery, ensuring alignment with government priorities and WFP strategic objectives.

The incumbent will guide strategic planning, monitoring, and evidence generation, with a focus on nutrition-sensitive programming and multi-stakeholder coordination in a complex national

Qualifications

• Fluency in English required; knowledge of Urdu desirable.
• Advanced degree in public health, nutrition, food security or related field; or first degree with additional relevant experience.
• Minimum five years of relevant work experience in nutrition, food systems, food security or public health.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and oversight of nutrition, food systems and school meals interventions in Punjab.
• Provide technical guidance to ensure high-quality programme implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Engage with government officials and partners to align with provincial priorities and frameworks.
• Develop workplans, budgets and operational plans in line with WFP objectives.

Skills

English proficiency

Urdu knowledge

Education

Advanced University degree in Public Health / Nutrition / Food Security

First University Degree + 2 years experience option

Job description

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

12 October 2026-23:59-GMT+05:00 Pakistan Standard Time (Karachi)

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 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).

ABOUT THE JOB

Job Title: Programme Policy Officer

Grade: NOB

Type of contract: Fixed Term

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Duty Station: Lahore, Punjab - Pakistan

Date of Publication: 28 September 2026

Deadline of Application: 12 October 2026

This Vacancy Announcement is for UN Staff Only.

Note: This vacancy announcement will also be used to build a roster of prequalified applicants for future opportunities within the same job profile at the current or lower level in Pakistan.

Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, social security contribution, medical insurance, annual leave, parental leave, among other benefits.

Important: All educational documents must be verified/attested by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Appointment will be subject to submission of HEC-verified degrees.

BACKGROUND

This position is based in the WFP Provincial Office Lahore and reports to the Head of Office Punjab. The Programme Policy Officer is responsible for providing strategic leadership, technical guidance and programme oversight for Nutrition, Emergency and other relevant Programmes.The incumbent will lead engagement with the all relevant provincial departments, Provincial Government, cooperating partners and development stakeholders to support policy dialogue, programme implementation, capacity strengthening, monitoring, reviews and evidence generation aimed at improving food security and nutrition outcomes in Punjab.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

To lead the planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring and strategic development of Nutrition, Food Systems and School Meals programmes in Punjab, ensuring effective government engagement, partner coordination, programme quality, evidence-based decision-making and achievement of WFP strategic objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Programme Leadership

1. Lead the planning, implementation and oversight of nutrition, food systems and school meals interventions in Punjab to achieve WFP programme objectives and strategic results.
2. Provide technical and strategic guidance to programme teams to ensure high-quality implementation, monitoring and reporting of programme activities.
3. Identify opportunities for programme expansion, innovation and integration across nutrition, food systems and school meals portfolios.
4. Support the development of annual workplans, implementation strategies, budgets and operational plans aligned with provincial priorities and WFP strategic objectives.

Government Engagement and Policy Support

1. Position WFP as a trusted technical partner to the Department of Health and the Provincial Government of Punjab on nutrition, food systems and school meals programming.
2. Maintain strategic engagement with senior government officials to support policy dialogue, programme coordination and alignment with provincial priorities and frameworks.
3. Provide technical inputs into provincial strategies, action plans, policies and operational frameworks related to nutrition, food security and food systems.
4. Facilitate timely responses to government requests and ensure regular information sharing on WFP priorities, achievements and programme results.
5. Represent WFP in technical consultations, coordination forums and relevant provincial working groups related to nutrition, food systems and school meals.

Coordination and Partnerships

1. Lead coordination with cooperating partners to ensure efficient and effective implementation of programme activities and achievement of agreed targets.
2. Develop and maintain strong partnerships with government counterparts, cooperating partners, UN agencies, academia and development stakeholders to enhance programme effectiveness and sustainability.
3. Lead regular partner coordination meetings and programme review forums to identify implementation challenges, promote learning and strengthen collaboration.
4. Guide the establishment, review and management of partnership agreements, including FLAs, MOUs and other implementation arrangements.
5. Promote multi-sectoral collaboration and linkages to strengthen nutrition-sensitive programming and food systems transformation.

Programme Monitoring, Reviews and Performance Management

1. Ensure robust monitoring systems are in place to track programme performance, results and quality standards.
2. Lead regular programme reviews, performance assessments and implementation monitoring processes to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
3. Review progress against programme targets and recommend corrective actions to address implementation bottlenecks and operational challenges.
4. Oversee the quality of programme reporting, ensuring timely submission of progress reports, briefing notes and management updates.
5. Support evidence-based decision making through analysis of programme data, partner reports and monitoring findings.

Assessments, Research and Evidence Generation

1. Lead the planning and coordination of assessments, studies, surveys and analytical exercises related to nutrition, food systems and school meals programming.
2. Coordinate with relevant WFP units and partners in the development of assessment methodologies, tools and data collection plans.
3. Ensure quality analysis, interpretation and dissemination of assessment findings to inform programme design and policy decisions.
4. Translate assessment evidence into programme and policy recommendations for government and WFP management.
5. Promote the use of programme evidence and lessons learned to strengthen future programme design and implementation.

Capacity Strengthening and Knowledge Management

1. Support institutional capacity strengthening of government counterparts and cooperating partners through technical assistance, mentoring and learning initiatives.
2. Facilitate trainings, workshops and review sessions aimed at enhancing programme quality and implementation capacity.
3. Document and disseminate good practices, lessons learned, innovations and programme achievements.
4. Contribute to knowledge products, technical papers, donor reports, presentations and advocacy materials.

Team Management and Supervision

1. Supervise programme staff and provide technical guidance, coaching and performance feedback to support staff development and programme delivery.
2. Promote teamwork, collaboration and accountability within the programme unit.
3. Ensure effective planning and allocation of resources to support implementation priorities and operational requirements.

Perform any other duties as assigned by the Head of Office.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Education: Advanced University degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Food Security, Development Studies, Social Sciences or other field relevant or First University Degree with additional 2 years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience: At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in nutrition, food systems, food security, public health, programme management or related fields.

• Experience in government engagement, programme coordination and stakeholder management.
• Experience managing cooperating partners and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in assessments, data analysis, monitoring and programme reviews

Knowledge and skills

• Strong understanding of nutrition, food systems and school meals programming.
• Strong report writing, analytical, communication and presentation skills.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Urdu is highly desirable.

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]

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.

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.