DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS7 August 2025-23:59-GMT Greenwich Mean Time (Accra)
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 worldโs 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).
External / Internal Vacancy Announcement
No. WFP/GHA/ACC/PPO/FS/JUL/2025
PROGRAMME POLICY OFFICER (SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS)
The office of the United Nations World Food Programme invites applications from suitable candidates to fill the vacancy below.
Job Title : Programme Policy Officer (Food Systems)
Duration : 1 year (renewable)
Post Grade : National Officer Grade A
Duty Station : Tamale
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The job holder will report to the Head of Sub Office, Tamale, with technical and operational supervision by the Sustainable Food Systems Coordinator in Accra. Job holders at this level operates with a high degree of independence, manage more junior staff to ensure that programme and policy objectives are achieved in full. They are usually involved in a wide variety of programme and policy activities and analytical work, some of which may be of a considerable complexity. At this level job holders are expected to contribute to performance improvement
JOB PURPOSE:
Oversee and be responsible for the implementation of all sustainable food systems (SO2) activities in the 5 regions of the North: Upper East, Upper West, Savanna, Northeast and Northern regions โ with a focus on efficient production systems, post-harvest loss management, access to affordable financial services and innovative market linkages and support to community and medium scale food processors.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the technical supervision of the Sustainable Food Systems Coordinator in Accra, the Programme Policy Officer โ Sustainable Food Systems will be expected to perform the following duties:
1. Coordinate all efforts and activities to guide the implementation of WFP's Smallholder Agriculture and Market Support (SAMS) programme in the 5 regions of the North (Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Savannah and North East). Support the Food Systems Coordinator in the management, implementation and reporting on the Strengthening Food Systems to Empower Smallholder Farmers and Young People project.
2. Engage with stakeholders, explore, develop and/or maintain partnerships that support efficient and effective food systems programme implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
3. Liaise with the regional departments of agriculture through the designated regional focal points for implementation, monitoring, and reporting; follow-up on monthly activity/project progress reports, review, consolidate and share with the Food Systems Coordinator and Head of Sub-Office.
4. Facilitate capacity strengthening of Small Holder Farmers (SHF), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), aggregators, and other rural actors to participate in structured markets; and promote market linkages through e-commerce platforms and other end buyers.
5. Collaborate with key government agencies like Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX), and other private sector agencies to facilitate acquisition of national certifications to support FBOs and other value chain actors to access digital platforms; and promote both traditional and digital marketing models.
6. Ensure active participation of smallholder farmers including women and youths in organized value chains and structured markets to facilitate job creation for the youths.
7. Facilitate and promote youth innovations that create efficiency in marketing for smallholder farmers e.g. e-commerce innovations, digital payments, transport, packaging, storage, and other logistical innovations.
8. Support with the coordination, implementation and monitoring of Post-Harvest Management interventions and technologies among farmer-based organizations and aggregation systems.
9. Support Smallholder Farmers and Communitiesโ Resilience building through crop insurance, training or other forms of assistance including Climate Smart and Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Initiatives.
10. Liaison with the Food Technologist, and the Food Systems Coordinator, to provide technical support and coordinate efforts to strengthen food safety and quality management systems along the agricultural value chain.
11. In coordination with the Food Systems Coordinator, and Head of Sub-Office liaise with the Research Advocacy and Monitoring (RAM) team to develop Theory of Change, support in the development of a sound monitoring and evaluation plan for learning and accountability.
12. Liaise with the Food Systems Coordinator and Head of Sub-office to contribute towards the development of routine reports, Annual Performance Plan (APP), Annual Country Report (ACR) and other corporate requirements.
13. In coordination with the Food Systems Coordinator actively participate in Resource mobilization activities including development of Food systems concepts and proposals aimed at raising funds from international donors and financial institutions.
14. Perform any other duties as may be provided by Supervisors from time to time.
MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION
Advanced University degree in applied Agricultural sciences, Agricultural economics, Agribusiness, Development studies or other related fields.
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:
- A minimum of one-year postgraduate professional progressive experience in managing programmes related to sustainable food systems, agriculture and nutrition value chains or other related fields.
- In-depth technical knowledge on sustainable food systems, e-commerce/commodity exchange platforms, youth in agriculture, agriculture and nutrition value chain, programme co-ordination and projects implementation.
LANGUAGE: Fluency in English language is essential. Knowledge of local languages spoken in northern Ghana will be an advantage.
How to apply:
Applicants should submit their applications and CV stating 3 references online to: www1.wfp.org/careers/job.openings and follow the steps.
Qualified Female Candidates are encouraged to apply
People living with disability are also encouraged to apply
Only shortlisted candidates meeting the criteria will be contacted.
Note:
WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action. WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFPโs standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.
External / Internal Vacancy Announcement
No. WFP/GHA/ACC/PPO/FS/JUL/2025
PROGRAMME POLICY OFFICER (SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS)
The office of the United Nations World Food Programme invites applications from suitable candidates to fill the vacancy below.
Job Title : Programme Policy Officer (Food Systems)
Duration : 1 year (renewable)
Post Grade : National Officer Grade A
Duty Station : Tamale
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The job holder will report to the Head of Sub Office, Tamale, with technical and operational supervision by the Sustainable Food Systems Coordinator in Accra. Job holders at this level operates with a high degree of independence, manage more junior staff to ensure that programme and policy objectives are achieved in full. They are usually involved in a wide variety of programme and policy activities and analytical work, some of which may be of a considerable complexity. At this level job holders are expected to contribute to performance improvement
JOB PURPOSE:
Oversee and be responsible for the implementation of all sustainable food systems (SO2) activities in the 5 regions of the North: Upper East, Upper West, Savanna, Northeast and Northern regions โ with a focus on efficient production systems, post-harvest loss management, access to affordable financial services and innovative market linkages and support to community and medium scale food processors.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the technical supervision of the Sustainable Food Systems Coordinator in Accra, the Programme Policy Officer โ Sustainable Food Systems will be expected to perform the following duties:
1. Coordinate all efforts and activities to guide the implementation of WFP's Smallholder Agriculture and Market Support (SAMS) programme in the 5 regions of the North (Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Savannah and North East). Support the Food Systems Coordinator in the management, implementation and reporting on the Strengthening Food Systems to Empower Smallholder Farmers and Young People project.
2. Engage with stakeholders, explore, develop and/or maintain partnerships that support efficient and effective food systems programme implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
3. Liaise with the regional departments of agriculture through the designated regional focal points for implementation, monitoring, and reporting; follow-up on monthly activity/project progress reports, review, consolidate and share with the Food Systems Coordinator and Head of Sub-Office.
4. Facilitate capacity strengthening of Small Holder Farmers (SHF), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), aggregators, and other rural actors to participate in structured markets; and promote market linkages through e-commerce platforms and other end buyers.
5. Collaborate with key government agencies like Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX), and other private sector agencies to facilitate acquisition of national certifications to support FBOs and other value chain actors to access digital platforms; and promote both traditional and digital marketing models.
6. Ensure active participation of smallholder farmers including women and youths in organized value chains and structured markets to facilitate job creation for the youths.
7. Facilitate and promote youth innovations that create efficiency in marketing for smallholder farmers e.g. e-commerce innovations, digital payments, transport, packaging, storage, and other logistical innovations.
8. Support with the coordination, implementation and monitoring of Post-Harvest Management interventions and technologies among farmer-based organizations and aggregation systems.
9. Support Smallholder Farmers and Communitiesโ Resilience building through crop insurance, training or other forms of assistance including Climate Smart and Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Initiatives.
10. Liaison with the Food Technologist, and the Food Systems Coordinator, to provide technical support and coordinate efforts to strengthen food safety and quality management systems along the agricultural value chain.
11. In coordination with the Food Systems Coordinator, and Head of Sub-Office liaise with the Research Advocacy and Monitoring (RAM) team to develop Theory of Change, support in the development of a sound monitoring and evaluation plan for learning and accountability.
12. Liaise with the Food Systems Coordinator and Head of Sub-office to contribute towards the development of routine reports, Annual Performance Plan (APP), Annual Country Report (ACR) and other corporate requirements.
13. In coordination with the Food Systems Coordinator actively participate in Resource mobilization activities including development of Food systems concepts and proposals aimed at raising funds from international donors and financial institutions.
14. Perform any other duties as may be provided by Supervisors from time to time.
MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION
Advanced University degree in applied Agricultural sciences, Agricultural economics, Agribusiness, Development studies or other related fields.
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:
- A minimum of one-year postgraduate professional progressive experience in managing programmes related to sustainable food systems, agriculture and nutrition value chains or other related fields.
- In-depth technical knowledge on sustainable food systems, e-commerce/commodity exchange platforms, youth in agriculture, agriculture and nutrition value chain, programme co-ordination and projects implementation.
LANGUAGE: Fluency in English language is essential. Knowledge of local languages spoken in northern Ghana will be an advantage.
How to apply:
Applicants should submit their applications and CV stating 3 references online to: www1.wfp.org/careers/job.openings and follow the steps.
Qualified Female Candidates are encouraged to apply
People living with disability are also encouraged to apply
Only shortlisted candidates meeting the criteria will be contacted.
Note:
WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action. WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFPโs standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.
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: global.inclusion@wfp.org
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.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
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.