The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & 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.

• 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).

• The World Food Programme has supported the people and governments of Africa for over half a century on issues ranging from ending poverty and hunger to sustaining peace and promoting stability; and for nearly two decades, the organization has engaged the African Union (AU), a political institution established to articulate and advocate continental political, economic and social development ambitions and priorities.

• In recognition of the AU’s growing importance and influence in global and continental affairs, WFP has been enhancing its engagement, advocacy and technical support to promote implementation of AU decisions, policies, strategies and programmes. WFP’s support to the AU is coordinated by the WFP Africa Global Office based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

• The United Nations World Food Programme is seeking a Senior Economist to engage high level bodies withing the AU and AUDA-NEPAD and support with strategic, analytical and policy matters of relevance for the economic and social development, particularly in the areas of school feeding, economic growth, trade, food security and nutrition, innovation, entrepreneurship, and jobs. The candidate will support the tracking of advances and scale ups of school feeding programmes and support the strengthening of the strategic partnership of WFP with the African Union Institutions and departments, including AUDA-NEPAD, on Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support engagement with high level bodies within the African Union Commissions, ECA, AUDA-NEPAD through the development of engagement plans and provide research and policy advice.

• Support the Director with research and analysis to develop policies, programmes, and activities with partners aimed at promoting the home-grown school feeding agenda

• Develop new models and tools to track the progress of commitments towards the global School Meals Coalition and Home Grown School Feeding programmes across the continent.

• Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.

• Contribute inputs to regional analytical reports and, if needed, to country analytical reports on topics related to school feeding, education, human capital, economic growth, innovation, and jobs.

• Author or co-author papers of publishable quality in top refereed field and general journals, in line with the work program of the AUGO office.

• Support the development of the Biennial report on the State of School Feeding in Africa 2023-2024.

• Provide inputs to activities developed in support of the Director, including inputs to technical/policy briefs and speaking notes.

• Participate in conferences, seminars, and workshops, especially to present and disseminate analytical work.

• Perform other duties as required.

• Open only for Ethiopian Nationals

Deliverables at the end of the contract:

• Advance the tracking of AU national commitments towards the School Meals Coalition and Home Grown School Feeding Programmes.

• Support the development of the Biennial report on the State of School Feeding in Africa (to be launched on 01 March 2025)

• Develop an engagement plan with high -level bodies of the AU, such as the Specialised Technical Committees and the Permanent Representatives Committee

Job Requirements

Experience:

• Minimum of three years of relevant professional work experience as policy and economic advisor on matters related to development, economic growth, education, and other relevant areas.

• Experience working with international organizations, with knowledge on the AU and past work on AU advocacy being an added advantage

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 dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

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.

• Job Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

How to Apply

• Register using the following link CLICK HERE

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 wfprecruitment@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.

• 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.

• Are you interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organization investing in its people?

• If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you!!! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.