Learning and Development Specialist

World Food Programme; United States; Remote; USD 62,000 - 95,000; Part time

Job summary

World Food Programme seeks a Learning & Development Specialist on a short-term basis to lead cross-functional L&D activities within Programme Operations. You will design practical learning solutions, facilitate sessions, and support stakeholders across global teams.

Strong expertise in instructional design, learning technologies and project management is essential, with fluency in English and experience in humanitarian contexts highly valued.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree required with focus on learning design or human resources.
• Experience designing, delivering and evaluating L&D initiatives.
• Experience with learning technologies and modern platforms.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate L&D activities for Programme Operations, track workplans and actions.
• Design and deliver practical learning solutions and pathways.
• Provide design support and quality review for learning materials and sessions.
• Build partnerships to improve learning approaches and collaboration.

Skills

Project management

Instructional design

Learning technologies

Facilitation (in-person & virtual)

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-functional collaboration

Needs analysis & impact measurement

Education

Advanced degree in L&D, HR, Social Sciences or related field

Job description

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

18 October 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.organd 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:

Learning & Development Specialist

TYPE OF CONTRACT:

WAE CST-2

UNIT/DIVISION:

PO Staffing Coordination and Capacity Service - POS

DUTY STATION (City, Country):

Rome, Italy-Remote

DURATION:

11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger and supporting progress toward Zero Hunger. Through its global operations, WFP works to ensure that vulnerable people can access the food and nutrition they need.

The Programme Operations Staffing Coordination and Capacity Service (POS), reporting to the Assistant Executive Director for Programme Operations, supports staffing coordination, workforce planning, talent management and capacity development across Programme Operations. POS helps align people, roles and skills to strengthen programme delivery and organizational effectiveness. POS also coordinates cross-functional learning initiatives within the Programme Operations Department to strengthen staff capabilities, support mobility across functions, and ensure staff have the skills and knowledge required to perform effectively. To strengthen this work, WFP is seeking a senior Learning and Development Specialist on a WAE basis to bring additional specialised L&D expertise, help keep Programme Operations learning approaches current and high quality, and support the design, facilitation and delivery of priority learning initiatives. The role will provide senior technical input, practical design support and facilitation capacity for agreed Programme Operations learning priorities.

The position reports to the Lead of Learning & Development within POS and works closely with other POS colleagues, based at WFP Headquarters in Rome, Italy (or remote).

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Support the coordination of agreed Programme Operations learning and development activities, including workplan tracking, meeting preparation, stakeholder follow-up, documentation of key actions and practical support to keep priority initiatives moving.

2. Support functions and subject matter experts to design and improve practical learning solutions and differentiated pathways for Programme Operations employees, and step in to facilitate webinars, workshops, learning events or other sessions where additional specialist capacity is required;

3. Provide practical advice, design support and quality review to POS and Programme Operations functions on learning approaches, materials, facilitation methods and learning technologies, ensuring that solutions are relevant, engaging and aligned with current good practice in humanitarian L&D;

4. Support and advise on relevant L&D partnerships and identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve learning & development approaches and initiatives.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

TERMS OF REFERENCE

FOR SHORT-TERM/CONSULTANCY CONTRACTS

HR-145 08/2017 REV.

Education: Advanced university degree in Learning & Development, Human Resources, Social Sciences, or related field.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in working across all phases of learning design, development and delivery.

Demonstrated experience in leveraging learning and associated technologies and modern learning platforms in the design, development and delivery of learning and development solutions.

Proven experience in L&D with a strategic focus, ideally within WFP, or other similarly sized UN organization.

Experience in developing cross-functional learning paths and/or curricula is considered a distinct advantage, particularly in emergency response, supply chain and delivery, localization, or food assistance and/or food and nutrition security programming.

Experience in working with subject matter experts to build learning solution and performance support tools, preferably across a range of different business areas is desirable.

Experience in a UN agency or international NGO would be an assetPrevious experience in HR related project management.

Knowledge

& Skills:

Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects at the same time and accomplish tasks with follow-through to completion.

Expertise in instructional design, learning technologies, and facilitating both inperson and virtual training.

Strong ability to engage and manage multiple stakeholders, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Ability to analyze, design, and deliver learning solutions that foster growth and measurable results.

Ability to integrate cross-functional considerations into learning needs analysis, design, delivery and impact measurement.

Excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate and influence internally with various stakeholders and subject matter experts across business functions, levels and geographical areas.

Strong client orientation. Ability to quickly build knowledge and understanding of stakeholder’s functional/organizational strategy and translate to learning requirements of employees.

Confidence and mental agility to assimilate different perspectives and formulate recommendations.

Up to date knowledge of the latest trends in learning design, delivery and learningtechnology.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

FOR SHORT-TERM/CONSULTANCY CONTRACTS

HR-145 08/2017 REV.

Strong creative problems solving skills; agile, flexible and patient; ability to work with ambiguity, constructive approach to overcoming challenges and build consensus across diverse and global teams.

Ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative data on impact of the different learning initiatives

Languages: Fluency in oral and written English is essential. Good working knowledge of a second

UN language preferably French, Spanish or Arabic is desirable.Support the coordination of agreed Programme Operations learning and development activities, including workplan tracking, meeting preparation, stakeholder follow-up, documentation of key actions and practical support to keep priority initiatives moving.

1. Support functions and subject matter experts to design and improve practical learning solutions and differentiated pathways for Programme Operations employees, and step in to facilitate webinars, workshops, learning events or other sessions where additional specialist capacity is required;

2. Provide practical advice, design support and quality review to POS and Programme

1. Support and advise on relevant L&D partnerships and identify opportunities for collaborative approaches and initiatives that improve learning & development approaches and initiatives.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

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]