DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS6 August 2025-23:59-GMT+09:00 East Timor Time (Dili)
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).
This Position is for Timorese national only.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the worldโs largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetime.
The WFP is a leading organization delivering food assistance and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. We also support governments of developing countries in their efforts to eliminate hunger and malnutrition by addressing the underlying causes and disparities in access to food and good nutrition to ensure that no one is left behind in line with the Agenda 2030, Sustaining Peace and Agenda for Humanity. WFP is particularly focused on Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 17 (Partnerships). Achieving Zero Hunger, however, requires organizations/governments to design, finance and implement inclusive policies, plans and programmes that promote food security and nutrition objectives and have responsive institutions and strong governance that can withstand shocks and stress factors.
Since the restoration of its independence in 2002, Timor-Leste has made significant progress and strong commitment towards reconciliation, reconstruction, human rights, human development, democracy, and state building. As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Timor-Leste faces exacerbated food security challenges due to the impacts of climate change. Twenty years on, Timor-Leste stands at a crossroads, to invest in people and continue accelerating its human and socioeconomic development. WFP has been present in Timor-Leste since 1999. Currently, the WFPโs work focuses on the countryโs social sector policy and capacity strengthening across food, agriculture, social protection, and emergency preparedness and response sectors to address human capital and economic priorities related poverty, hunger, malnutrition, food security, climate change and disaster risks.
The WFP Timor-Leste Country Office (TLCO) is in the process of developing its Country Strategic Plan 2026-2030 (CSP). This plan will be aligned to the emerging United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026-2030 for Timor-Leste as well as Government priorities and strategies, and reflects the ambitions and priorities of WFP, the United Nations and the Government of Timor-Leste. The purpose of this assignment is to strategically position WFP with the Government of Timor-Leste, development partners, international financial institutions, private sector and UN agencies, and pursue strategic opportunities that align with WFPโs comparative advantages.
WFP plays a crucial role in supporting Timor-Lesteโs zero hunger goals through capacity building and national program enhancements in food security, nutrition, and disaster risk reduction. This aligns with the UNโs Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and the Governmentโs Strategic Development Plan for 2011โ2030. WFP's strategic plan (2022โ2025) focuses on four key outcomes: equitable access to nutrition, enhanced nutrition-sensitive programs, disaster preparedness and response, and the provision of services to the government and partners.
Within delegated authority, the programme policy Associate will be reporting to SBCC expert and accountable for:
JOB PURPOSE
The SBCC Associate will play a critical role in implementing Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) activities aimed at improving nutrition, hygiene, and social protection practices in Timor-Leste. The Associate will be responsible for promoting healthy dietary habits, improved food security, and strengthened hygiene promotion behaviours. This will be achieved through a combination of community engagement, capacity building, interpersonal approaches, media campaigns, and policy advocacy.
Working closely with government agencies such as the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI), the SBCC Associate will support policy integration, program implementation, and monitoring of nutrition-sensitive social protection and Home-Grown School Feeding initiatives. The Associate will also collaborate with UN partners (UNICEF, ILO) to ensure that SBCC strategies align with broader development goals and sectoral programmes, including home-grown school feeding, food fortification, mother support groups and community-based nutrition education.
The Associate will also engage with civil society organizations (CSOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), health workers, teachers, school management committees, and community leaders to enhance awareness, knowledge, and adoption of positive nutrition and hygiene behaviours. By leveraging multi-channel communication strategies, including interpersonal communication, mass media, social media campaigns, and community-led initiatives, the SBCC Associate will work to drive sustainable behaviour change at both the national policy level and the community level.
Given the multi-sectoral nature of the role, the SBCC Associate will ensure that SBCC interventions are culturally appropriate, evidence-based, and tailored to the unique needs of Timor-Lesteโs population, with a focus on pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under five, school-aged children, and vulnerable households. The Associate will also support data collection, behaviour change research, and program evaluations to measure the effectiveness and impact of SBCC interventions, ensuring continuous learning and improvement in community engagement and behaviour change strategies.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. SBCC Programme Design, Adaptation & Implementation
- Assist in the design, adaptation, and implementation of SBCC programmes in line with the projectโs strategic plan.
- Support the development, pre-testing, and production of communication tools and job aids based on evidence-based theories and methodologies, ensuring alignment with the SBCC strategy.
- Provide technical assistance in community sensitization and mobilization, focusing on behaviour change communication for the target population.
2. Stakeholder Coordination & Technical Support
- Under the supervision of the SBCC expert, coordinate with government agencies, UN partners, and local organizations on SBCC campaigns and technical activities.
- Assist in the planning and execution of joint SBCC initiatives, ensuring alignment with existing social protection, nutrition, and WASH programs.
- Support the supervision and monitoring of SBCC interventions, troubleshooting technical issues across food security, education and nutrition sectors.
3. Capacity Building & Training
- Assist in developing training materials and conducting training sessions to enhance the effectiveness of local partners and WFP staff in implementing demand-creation programs.
- Provide Training of Trainers (ToT) and community engagement skills to health workers, school staff, and community-based organizations to improve outreach efforts.
4. Community Engagement & Event Coordination
- Assist in the planning and coordination of special events, including World Food Day, World Nutrition Day, and other national observances to amplify SBCC messaging.
- Facilitate community-led interventions, ensuring that local actors and support structures actively participate in nutrition and hygiene promotion activities.
5. Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
- Work with M&E staff and the SBCC expert to track and evaluate SBCC activities, ensuring they meet performance indicators.
- Assist in documenting project results, including case studies, success stories, lessons learned, and media stories, contributing to quarterly and annual reporting.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the SBCC expert, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness in programme execution.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
Bachelorโs degree in health, behavioural Change, Communications, Social sciences, Marketing, development studies.
Experience:
- A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience implementing SBCC programmes or advising on social and behavioural change interventions in Timor Leste.
- Additional training in maternal, child health and nutrition is an added advantage. Good experience in monitoring and evaluation of programmes including report writing and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently as well as in cooperation with a multi-cultural team.
- Ability to think creatively and strategically,
- Relevant computer software skills (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office)
- Ability to enhance good interpersonal relationship.
Languages:
Fluency (level C) in English and Tetum language. Portuguese will be 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 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.