DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS10 November 2025-23:59-GMT Greenwich Mean Time (Freetown)
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).
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Sierra Leone is a small but densely populated country, ranked 185th out of 193 countries in the 2024 Human Development Index. Agriculture remains the backbone of Sierra Leoneโs economy, employing over 60 percent of the population. However, the sector is dominated by smallholder farmers relying on subsistence practices, with limited access to improved seeds, fertilizers and modern techniques. While there has been progress in reducing stunting over the past decade, the national prevalence remains high at 26.2 percent โ classified as a serious public health concern by the World Health Organization. Stunting continues to undermine human capital development and Sierra Leoneโs long-term economic growth.
In view of these developmental challenges, WFP Sierra Leone is about to embark upon its new Country Strategic Plan (2026-2030) which, amongst other things, seeks to prevent malnutrition by increasing availability of and access to locally fortified food and by promoting production and consumption of diverse nutritious foods. To achieve the CSP outcomes, WFP plans to implement various projects and activities that increase knowledge about good nutrition, promote dietary diversity, and contribute to gender equality and womenโs economic empowerment. As part of this, WFP will work with motherโs support groups (MSG) and local complementary food (LCF) production facilities to promote availability and access to fortified complementary foods for children under five
This position is based in Freetown and reports to Head of NutritionTHE ROLE
To provide support to nutrition programmes and activities to contribute to meeting the nutritional needs of affected populations. The incumbent will report to the Head of Nutrition within the Country Officeโs Programme Unit
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):
Contribute to the development of nutrition projects and activities, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider nutrition policies and guidance.
Provide project management support to specific and defined nutrition projects and activities, ensuring a co-ordinated approach with wider programmes/projects that complies with WFP standards and procedures.
Develop and co-ordinate data gathering and monitoring/assessment systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained.
Track and analyse data to provide input into reporting activities and contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on nutrition activities that enables informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
Liaise with implementing partners (internal and external) to monitor ongoing projects, ensuring effective collaboration, timeliness and efficiency, and highlight potential risks to project delivery.
Support the identification of potential partners and partnership negotiations to ensure a collaborative and holistic approach to meeting nutrition needs.
Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to prepare for and respond to nutrition needs, for example the production and review of training materials.
Contribute to emergency preparedness actions, advocating for nutrition requirements, and act in an assigned emergency response capacity, as required, to meet emergency food assistance needs.
Support the achievement of project specific deliverables and adherence to donor funding agreements.
Provide technical guidance to more junior field staff to ensure deliverables are met and compliance of WFP activities with corporate standards and donor requirements.
Other as required
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
- Nutrition monitoring system to inform programme decisions established and managed.
- Project data tracked and analyzed to contribute to project management and donor reporting.
- External and internal coordination meetings facilitated or attended to monitor progress and address challenges.
- Training materials/guidelines developed and delivered to WFP staff and other stakeholders.
- Supportive field visits/technical backstopping missions conducted at least quarterly.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Education: Advanced University degree in Public Health Nutrition, Nutrition, Food Technology, Medicine or other relevant field.
Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience working in public health, food security or nutrition programmes. Experience identifying and defining nutrition issues within a country or specific context.
Knowledge & Skills: Knowledge of nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive programming approaches.
Ability to work as part of a team and provide technical supervision and guidance to more junior staff.
Strong problem solving and time management skills.
Language: Fluency (level C) in English language a
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLEExperience and exposure to implementation of national/international development programmes.
Experience working in public health/food security/ nutrition related activities.
Experience identifying and defining nutrition issues/problems within a country.
Position is open to Sierra Leone Nationals only. Qualified Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidateโs qualifications and experience.
Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.
http://www.wfp.org Click on: โOur workโ and โCountriesโ to lear
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.