Head of Resilience and Food Systems, International Consultancy Level II

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

31 August 2026-23:59-GMT+05:00 Tajikistan Time (Dushanbe)

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 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.

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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: Head of Resilience and Food Systems

Type of Contract: International Regular Consultancy

Level: Consultant Level II

Duration: 6 Months

Duty Station: Dushanbe, Tajikistan

WFP offers a competitive compensation package for Consultant Level II starting from US$ 6,000, and including medical insurance and a living allowance for those travelled to Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

Tajikistan faces persistent structural challenges to food and nutrition security, driven by limited arable land, high dependence on food imports, widespread rural poverty, and frequent exposure to natural hazards including floods, landslides, and earthquakes. Climate change compounds these risks, and approximately 1.52 million peoplerequire food and nutrition assistance.

WFP currently implements its Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023–2026 in line with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the same period, pursuing a strategic shift from direct implementation towards strengthening national and subnational capacities to deliver food security and nutrition outcomes. WFP supports achievement of SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and operates across the whole country through a network of field offices in Bokhtar, Gharm, Khorog, and Khujand complementing the country office in Dushanbe.

WFP’s programme portfolio covers emergency preparedness and response, resilience and livelihoods, nutrition, and school meals. Across these areas, WFP is placing greater emphasis on anticipatory action, shock-responsive social protection, evidence generation, and support to national systems for risk-informed planning and response. As WFP Tajikistan transitions to its next CSP for 2027–2030, it is further positioning itself as a technical and operational partner to the Government, with a stronger focus on nationally led solutions and earlier action ahead of crises.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

To provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for the design, coordination and implementation of integrated disaster risk reduction, climate risk management, resilience and food systems programmes. The role includes strengthening institutional systems, multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms, and government capacities for risk-informed planning, preparedness and response. The Head of Resilience and Food System will play a key role in advancing integrated DRR and resilience programming, including supporting the expansion of risk-informed approaches and systems strengthening across Central Asia.

RESPONSIBILITIES

External Cooperation

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government, UN agencies, IFIs, development partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector to advance resilience, food systems, DRR, and climate adaptation initiatives.

• Represent WFP in relevant coordination forums, technical working groups, and partner meetings, contributing to policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, joint programming, and resource mobilization efforts.

• Support government counterparts and partners in the planning, design, and implementation of food security, nutrition, resilience, and disaster risk management interventions at national and sub-national levels.

Team Management

• Foster an inclusive and collaborative working environment through effective communication, accountability, and regular information sharing.

• Supervise and support team members through performance management, coaching, capacity development, and timely completion of PACE requirements.

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams to ensure integrated delivery of resilience, DRR, climate adaptation, and emergency preparedness initiatives.

Capacity Development

• Provide strategic guidance and technical advice on resilience, climate action, DRR, and food systems programming.

• Strengthen the capacities of WFP staff, government counterparts, and partners through coaching, training, knowledge sharing, and dissemination of best practices.

Implementation and Coordination

• Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of resilience and food systems programmes in line with WFP and government priorities.

• Ensure effective coordination across programme, resilience, and emergency response functions to maximize synergies and programme impact.

• Support resource mobilization efforts through the development of concept notes, proposals, operational guidance, and partnership frameworks.

• Ensure timely preparation of quality reports, knowledge products, success stories, and other programme documentation.

Cross-Cutting

• Integrate gender, disability inclusion, protection, accountability, nutrition, and climate considerations across all programme interventions.

• Perform activity manager responsibilities in compliance with WFP policies, procedures, and corporate systems.

• Maintain effective information management and record-keeping systems and undertake other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Advanced University degree in International Development, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or other field related to DRR, climate change adaptation and/or international assistance is highly preferable;

• First university degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training courses.

Knowledge& Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressively relevant professional experience in managing international development projects aiming to improve livelihoods and food security with a focus on community-based participatory approaches;

• Extensive experience in emergency preparedness and response and sudden unset disasters in WFP capacity setting up and managing disaster response activities is strongly preferable;

• Experience with WFP & UN agencies, government entities, or civil society in the fields of DRR, climate change, agriculture, and/or environmental sustainability is strongly preferable;

• Has coordinated with and engaged in active discussions with government counterparts, resulting in achievement of organizational goals;

• Has demonstrated leadership and management of technical staff of various levels, ensuring deliverables are met within appropriate time and quality;

• Has engaged in high-level decisions regarding programme implementation and provided input into strategic discussions on policy; Has established relationships and engaged closely with external counterparts;

• Proven experience in leading multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms and working with government institutions on disaster risk management and emergency preparedness;

• Demonstrated experience in programme design, policy dialogue and institutional capacity strengthening;

• Experience in Central Asia or similar contexts is highly desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory;

• Proficiency in Russian or Tajik is strongly preferred.

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

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

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.