Programme Policy Officer – WFP Tanzania
Organization: World Food Programme (WFP)
Position: Programme Policy Officer
Contract Type: Fixed Term, NOC
Unit/Division: Programme Unit
Duty Station: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Contract Duration: 12 Months, Extendable
Application Deadline: 22 September 2026, 23:59 EAT
Job Description
The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking a qualified and experienced Programme Policy Officer to join its Programme Unit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The position will report directly to the Head of Programme and will play a key role in supporting the implementation of WFP Tanzania’s Country Strategic Plan, with particular responsibility for Strategic Outcome 1, which focuses on assisting crisis-affected populations to meet their essential food and nutrition needs before, during, and after shocks while strengthening resilience.
The successful candidate will oversee refugee operations and contribute to disaster preparedness and response activities in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. The role requires strong programme management, leadership, stakeholder engagement, and coordination experience with government institutions, United Nations agencies, donors, and NGO partners.
The Programme Policy Officer will also work closely with WFP field offices, including Kasulu, Zanzibar, Dodoma, Mtwara, and Arusha, to provide technical support, capacity building, and policy advice on disaster risk management, adaptive social protection, disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and anticipatory action.
About WFP
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives during emergencies and using food assistance to support peace, stability, and prosperity for people affected by conflict, disasters, and climate change.
WFP places people at the heart of its work and promotes a diverse, committed, skilled, and high-performing workforce guided by the values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion.
Why Join WFP?
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WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
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WFP provides a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
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Employees benefit from professional development opportunities including training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and internal mobility.
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A career with WFP provides opportunities to work across country, regional, and global offices.
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WFP offers an attractive compensation package in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions.
Key Responsibilities
The Programme Policy Officer will be responsible for:
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Leading Strategic Outcome 1 and Activity 1 while providing oversight and support for Activity 2.
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Leading activities that support refugees and other vulnerable populations affected by shocks and stressors.
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Providing strategic direction to initiatives related to climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, anticipatory action, and social protection systems.
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Leading WFP emergency response activities in coordination with relevant technical teams.
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Supporting resource mobilization through donor engagement and the preparation of funding proposals.
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Ensuring timely and high-quality financial and technical reporting.
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Participating in United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework processes, including the development of relevant Joint Work Plans.
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Providing technical input to stakeholder working groups, Development Partners Groups, and the UN Emergency Coordination Group.
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Reviewing assessments, studies, appraisals, programme documents, and funding proposals.
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Supporting programme budgets and other key programme documentation.
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Serving as an advisor on government engagement in coordination with Strategic Outcome teams and the Government Partnerships Officer.
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Providing broader programme management support as required.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Candidates should possess:
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A Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Agriculture, Economics, Disaster Risk Management, Social Protection, Environmental Sciences, Community Development, or a related discipline.
Candidates without a Master’s degree should have approximately 8–10 years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
Applicants should have:
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More than five (5) years of post-graduate professional experience in programme management.
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Experience in disaster preparedness and response.
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Practical experience in areas such as Disaster Risk Management, Social Protection, Anticipatory Action, refugee programming, or related technical programmes.
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Strong experience managing teams and projects.
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Demonstrated experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, and NGO partners.
Knowledge and Skills
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
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Strong IT literacy.
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Excellent analytical skills.
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Strong written and oral communication abilities.
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Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
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Ability to plan and organize work with minimal supervision.
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Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
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Experience working with government entities.
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General knowledge of United Nations system policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
Language Requirements
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Fluency in English.
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Fluency in Kiswahili.
Diversity and Equal Opportunity
WFP celebrates diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, disability, or other protected status.
Reasonable Accommodation
WFP is committed to supporting candidates with disabilities and can provide reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process where required.
Important Recruitment Notice
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interview, testing, or recruitment fee. Applicants should disregard any request for payment related to this vacancy and exercise caution when submitting personal information online.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted through WFP’s official online recruitment system.
Applicants should ensure that their Workday profile is complete and accurate, including employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and relevant UN grade information where applicable.
At the application stage, candidates are required to submit:
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Curriculum Vitae (CV)
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Cover Letter
Additional documents may be requested later in the recruitment process.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Application Deadline
22 September 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time (Dar es Salaam).
