Regular Consultant

World Food Programme; United States; Remote; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

World Food Programme is seeking a Consultant to support the Staff Relations Branch of the Human Resources Division on a short-term, home-based basis. The role includes handling complex disciplinary matters, reviewing investigations, and providing legally sound advice to HR and senior management to ensure fair and consistent decision-making.

You will monitor legal developments, advise on protective measures, and contribute to policy guidance to strengthen accountability and workplace fairness

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in Law or Human Resources Management.
• More than 12 years of professional experience in the field of human resources management or law.

Responsibilities

• Handle complex, sensitive and high-risk disciplinary matters, including cases involving alleged harassment, abuse of authority and sexual misconduct; review and analyse investigation and fact-finding reports and the underlying evidence; identify relevant legal, procedural and institutional risks; provide legally sound advice to HR and senior management; and prepare or review memoranda and employee notifications supporting fair, consistent and well-reasoned decision-making.
• Handle complex or sensitive reports of inappropriate or abusive conduct lodged with or referred to HR; undertake any necessary fact-finding; assess the available information and relevant organizational risks; advise management on proportionate management interventions; and support follow-up on agreed actions.
• Provide senior-level advice on the necessity, proportionality and implementation of protective measures, including non-disciplinary suspension pending investigation or disciplinary proceedings, taking into account due process, operational requirements and institutional risk.
• Monitor and analyse significant legal, policy and jurisprudential developments in the administration of justice, advise on their implications, and support their consistent application in Staff Relations advice and practice.
• Provide substantive expert input to the development, review and implementation of policies, procedures and guidance in the above areas, including by identifying systemic issues and opportunities to strengthen organizational practice, consistency and accountability.

Skills

Legal advisory

HR policy

Risk assessment

Education

Advanced university degree in Law or Human Resources Management

Job description

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

26 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).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are currently seeking a Consultant to provide support to the Staff Relations Branch of the Human Resources Division on a short-term basis. The position will be home-based.

The Staff Relations Branch (HRMSR) reports to the Director, Human Resources Division and is responsible for providing strategic advice to senior management in connection with employee grievances and disciplinary matters. The branch’s goal is to protect the integrity and efficiency of the Programme, while also ensuring that WFP’s internal justice system reflects principles of fairness and due process. In addition, Staff Relations works with managers, other offices, and staff representative bodies to promote a healthy workplace environment and constructive relations between staff and management, including through consultations on policy initiatives and through informal resolution of grievances and potential workplace conflict.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Handle complex, sensitive and high-risk disciplinary matters, including cases involving alleged harassment, abuse of authority and sexual misconduct; review and analyse investigation and fact-finding reports and the underlying evidence; identify relevant legal, procedural and institutional risks; provide legally sound advice to HR and senior management; and prepare or review memoranda and employee notifications supporting fair, consistent and well-reasoned decision-making.

• Handle complex or sensitive reports of inappropriate or abusive conduct lodged with or referred to HR; undertake any necessary fact-finding; assess the available information and relevant organizational risks; advise management on proportionate management interventions; and support follow-up on agreed actions.

• Provide senior-level advice on the necessity, proportionality and implementation of protective measures, including non-disciplinary suspension pending investigation or disciplinary proceedings, taking into account due process, operational requirements and institutional risk.

• Monitor and analyse significant legal, policy and jurisprudential developments in the administration of justice, advise on their implications, and support their consistent application in Staff Relations advice and practice.

• Provide substantive expert input to the development, review and implementation of policies, procedures and guidance in the above areas, including by identifying systemic issues and opportunities to strengthen organizational practice, consistency and accountability.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

Provision of sound and practical written and verbal advice and assistance in the above areas of responsibility, ensuring timely delivery of quality outputs.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Law or Human Resources Management.

Experience:

More than 12 years of professional experience in the field of human resources management or law.

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.