Programme Policy Officer for Social Protection System Reform

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

24 November :59-GMT+03:00 Arabian Standard Time (Baghdad)

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.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website:  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).

. Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of the Social Protection Unit, the Programme Policy Officer for Social Protection System Reform will provide high-level strategic and technical support to WFP Iraq's social protection portfolio, with a particular emphasis on leveraging cash-based transfers (CBT) as a transformative mechanism for delivering inclusive, adaptive, and dignified assistance.
The PPO will bring deep expertise in cash programming and social protection systems, using this knowledge to drive innovation across WFP's workstreams and to strengthen the operational and policy linkages between cash, retail, and national safety nets. This includes contributing to strategic thinking, planning, coordination, and management, while also serving as a subject matter expert to inform both policy dialogue and programmatic design.
The Programme Policy Officer (PPO) will support the Head of Unit in managing a growing, multidisciplinary team, ensuring strategic coherence across WFP's cash-based social protection initiatives—including support to the Social Safety Net (SSN) and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) programmes—and fostering alignment with government counterparts.
The PPO's technical assistance will focus on three key priority areas:

• Cash-enabled supply chain and retail linkages within a broader food systems approach, aimed at optimizing delivery channels and enhancing the beneficiary experience.

• Nutrition-sensitive and socially inclusive cash-based transfers that improve food security outcomes at scale, tailored to address the risks, unmet needs, and challenges faced by vulnerable populations.

• Shock-responsive and adaptive social protection, including emergency preparedness and crisis response mechanisms that leverage scalable cash modalities to ensure timely and effective support.
These areas are embedded within high-visibility programmes where WFP plays a strategic convening and delivery role. The PPO will be instrumental in shaping and delivering results across flagship initiatives such as:

• The Hypermarket Discounts Pilot, which leverages retail networks to expand beneficiary choice and purchasing power.

• The Economic Empowerment Pathways (EEPs), which link cash assistance to employment, entrepreneurship, and long-term resilience.

• National school meals policy and programming, with a focus on reactivation, institutionalisation, and potential integration of CBTs to enhance nutrition and local procurement.
Additionally, the PPO may contribute to Public Distribution System (PDS) reform, with a focus on offering alternative food assistance options for optimizing supply chains and exploring cash-based alternatives to improve efficiency, transparency, and nutrition outcomes.
This assignment requires a candidate with a strategic thinking and technical leadership who can translate cash expertise into system-level innovation, positioning WFP Iraq as a global reference for modern, integrated social protection delivery, particularly with strong knowledge and expertise in retail and food systems.
The job purpose is to design and manage initiatives under the EU-funded system reform programme that contribute to policy formulation and provide technical advice or oversight on programme strategy and implementation. This role includes a particular focus on technical leadership on cash transfers, reatils and social protection.

Through hands-on technical support, policy advisory services, capacity building, and coordination, the PPO will contribute to achieving food security, nutrition, resilience, and system-wide reform outcomes. The role demands a cash expert who understands the architecture of social protection and can translate that knowledge into innovative, people-centered delivery models.

1. Strategic Assessment and Innovation

• Lead assessments of supply chains, retail networks, and business processes to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for cash-enabled delivery improvements.
• Analyse public–private interfaces and social assistance systems to enhance coverage, responsiveness, and transparency.
• Contribute to cash-related thought leadership, including digital financial inclusion, identity management, and women's economic empowerment.

2. Programme Design and Strategy Development

• Provide technical advise to the government on CBT programme design aligned with organizational WFP strategy and field realities.
• Translate global CBT strategies into localized, context-sensitive programme models that comply with WFP policies, EB decisions, and audit recommendations.
• Develop actionable roadmaps for strengthening delivery models across flagship initiatives such as the National School Meals Programme, Hypermarket Discounts Pilot, and Economic Empowerment Pathways (EEPs).

3. Technical Advisory and Policy Engagement

• Provide high-level technical advice to national and subnational stakeholders on the design and refinement of inclusive, nutrition-sensitive, and shock-responsive programmes.
• Support the institutionalisation of CBTs within national systems, including school meals, social safety nets, and emergency response mechanisms.
• Contribute to the formulation of the Country Strategic Plan, ensuring the integration of cash and people-centered approaches.

4. Capacity Strengthening and Knowledge Transfer

• Design and deliver targeted trainings for government counterparts, WFP staff, and partners to build institutional capacity in CBT design and implementation.
• Coordinate, coach, and motivate multidisciplinary teams to foster high performance and talent development.

5. Monitoring, Data Systems, and Assurance

• Design and set up data management systems for analysis, verification, and reconciliation of CBT operations.
• Implement the Cash Assurance Framework, strengthening controls, monitoring systems, and risk mitigation measures.
• Manage and track payment instruments and transfer confirmations to ensure accountability and transparency.

6. Evidence Generation and Advocacy

• Define and contribute to a research, monitoring, and advocacy agenda that generates actionable insights for reform.
• Advise on performance indicators and impact measurement to support government-led policy dialogue and system improvements.

7. Coordination and Partnership Development

• Foster strategic partnerships with UN agencies (e.g. UNICEF, ILO), the World Bank, EU, and relevant ministries to align technical assistance and policy engagement.
• Engage with implementing partners, local stakeholders, and vendors (e.g. hypermarket operators) to ensure coherence and shared learning across pilots and national programmes.
• Represent WFP in technical coordination platforms, ensuring visibility and strategic alignment.

8. Behavioural Science and Financial Resilience

• Support the design of behaviourally informed CBT programmes that promote financial resilience, positive consumption behaviours, and effective social risk management.
• Collaborate with SBCC and programme teams to integrate behavioural insights across school meals, hypermarket, and EEP pilots.

9. Support to PDS Reform (as required)

• Contribute technical input to the modernisation of the Public Distribution System, focusing on cash-enabled supply chain optimisation for improved nutrition and efficiency.

10. Internal Planning and Resource Management

• Contribute to internal planning, results reporting, donor engagement, and workplan reviews to ensure strategic alignment.
• Ensure optimal use of assigned financial resources and support the inclusion of CBT contingency plans in emergency preparedness frameworks.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

The Strategic Technical Advisor will lead and contribute to a portfolio of deliverables that advance WFP Iraq's social protection reform agenda, with a focus on cash-based transfers, retail integration, and dignity-centered programme design. Outputs will reflect strategic advisory, technical innovation, and cross-sector coordination.

1. Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan for Priority Programmes

Develop and deliver a strategic roadmap and action plan for key initiatives—including School Meals, Hypermarket Discounts, Economic Empowerment Pathways (EEP), and Shock-Responsive Social Protection (SRSP)—ensuring alignment with WFP global frameworks and national priorities.

• Endorsed by internal and external stakeholders
• Serves as a foundation for coordinated implementation and policy engagement

2. Technical Support for School Meals Reactivation and Institutionalisation

Provide technical leadership in reactivating and institutionalising school meals, integrating cash-based modalities and nutrition-sensitive approaches.

• Operational and institutional frameworks developed
• Contributions reflected in national policy instruments or planning documents

3. Assessment of Retail Integration and Food Systems Linkages

Lead a comprehensive assessment of retail integration opportunities, food systems linkages, and cost-efficiency scenarios to inform programme design and public–private partnerships.

• Includes practical implementation pathways and policy recommendations
• Supports evidence-based decision-making across WFP and government counterparts

4. Capacity Building for Government Counterparts

Design and deliver tailored capacity-building support across thematic areas such as cash transfers, adaptive social protection, and digital financial inclusion.

• Training packages documented and shared
• Feedback mechanisms used to refine future engagement

5. Programme Support for Hypermarket and EEP Pilots

Provide ongoing technical support to pilot initiatives, including:

• A complete EEP pilot package with targeting and M&E frameworks, value chain assessments, SBCC strategy, and inclusive beneficiary profiling
• Technical inputs that promote choice, empowerment, and financial resilience

6. Operational Manual and SOPs for Shock-Responsive Social Protection

Draft and validate operational guidance and SOPs for SRSP, ensuring coherence with national coordination mechanisms and WFP assurance frameworks.

• Used to inform government planning and inter-agency coordination

7. Cross-Sector Coordination and Technical Integration

Facilitate coordination across WFP units and external partners to ensure integrated planning and delivery.

• Contributions documented in joint initiatives, technical working groups, and strategic forums

8. Behaviourally Informed Programme Features

Design and test behaviourally informed interventions that enhance programme uptake, financial decision-making, and beneficiary experience.

• Pilots linked to at least two major programmes
• Results used to refine programme design and delivery

9. Internal Coordination and Team Leadership

Support internal planning, troubleshooting, and cross-stream alignment within the WFP team.

• Includes mentoring, capacity building, and strategic guidance to colleagues

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: 

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 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.

---