JOB DESCRIPTION

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

12 October 2025-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)

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: 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).

WFP”s REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

The World Food Programme is seeking to build a diverse pool of exceptional leaders for future Regional Director opportunities for our Regional Offices (ROs). As a Regional Director, you will play a pivotal role in driving WFP’s strategic vision, supporting country operations, and fostering partnerships that deliver life-saving assistance and long-term resilience. By joining this talent pool, you position yourself to lead impactful regional strategies, represent WFP at the highest levels, and contribute to achieving Zero Hunger worldwide.

The Regional Offices are:

• Asia and the Pacific RO – located in Bangkok, Thailand
• Eastern and Southern Africa RO – located in Nairobi, Kenya
• Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office – located in Panama City, Panama
• Middle East, Northern Africa, and Eastern Europe Regional Office – located in Cairo, Egypt
• Western and Central Africa Regional Office – located in Dakar, Senegal

ABOUT THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR AT WFP

These roles are found in Regional Offices and report to the Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer (DED/COO). In accordance with WFP’s Management Accountability Framework (MAF), the Regional Directors (RDs) operate as an extension of the DED/COO Office providing strategic oversight in the regions and participate in HQ-level decision-making.

For non-presence countries within their region, these roles monitor the context, engage with local authorities and coordinate with UN Country Teams and relevant WFP functions as required.

The Regional Director plays a strategic and facilitative role in support of the Country Offices (COs), leveraging regional cross-functional coordination, and contextualizing global strategies to meet the needs of country operations. These roles ensure that CO priorities are effectively amplified to Global Functions; as members of the Senior Management Team (SMT), they also provide regional and contextual contribution to WFP Leadership Team and represent and position WFP in the region strengthening regional partnerships and, in consultation with the DED/COO, provide support to Country Directors to enhance performance and effectiveness.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

Country Office Support

• Drive cross-functional coordination to promote quality and timely support to Country Offices by Global HQ.
• Contribute with strategic input and support to the design and implementation of Country Strategic Plans (CSPs), consistent with WFP strategic plan and policy framework.
• Assist with crisis preparedness and response per the Emergency Activation Protocol.
• Support CDs in the timely and effective implementation of oversight recommendations, promoting risk management, internal controls, and the use of evaluations.
• Support CDs in strengthening performance, operational effectiveness, and leadership development to foster cohesive, high-performing teams.
• Contribute to the performance appraisal and appointment process of CDs.

Inputs to Corporate Decision Making

• Contribute to the development of corporate WFP strategies and policies, ensuring COs needs and regional dimensions are duly reflected.
• Identify opportunities for improvement in operations and processes, in consultation with CDs and Global Functions, providing strategic guidance to ensure alignment with WFP’s organizational goals, priorities, and oversight standards.
• Work with functional leads to ensure that corporate priorities, strategies and direction are translated into tailored guidance and support for COs.
• Serve as members to the Senior Management Team (SMT) as well as other corporate decision making committees, working groups, teams etc.

​Regional Engagement, Fundraising, and Partnerships

• Represent WFP within the region, engaging with regional stakeholders, facilitate access to resources and advance WFP’s mission.
• Facilitate regional engagement to drive UN system coherence and achieve joint results. As non-resident agency, support RCs and UNCTs in implementing UN policies to address regional priorities.
• Contribute to regional resource mobilization efforts, to enhance visibility and secure funding for WFP operations and related national programmes. Coordinate with COs and partners to mobilize resources for cross-border initiatives that address regional priorities.
• Facilitate strategic partnerships to enhance synergy, drive cohesive responses to regional priorities, and support cross- border initiatives.
• Engage with the Regional Collaborative Platform to enhance access to regional expertise, providing insights to Global Functions and Country Directors to escalate and facilitate HQ-level discussions.

Management of the Regional Director’s Office (RO)

• Responsible for the overall management of the Regional Director’s Office, ensuring effective planning, budgeting, staffing, and internal coordination in line with corporate policies and operational priorities. Uphold the duty of care and security of all staff based in the Regional Director’s Office, while fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace.
• Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and safety within the region, in full compliance with WFP”s Code of Conduct and PSEA standards, upholding humanitarian principles and promote sustainable impact across the region.
• Other as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Advanced University degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or other relevant field, or First University degree with two additional years of relevant experience.

Experience: Minimum fifteen years of senior level professional experience in a relevant field of work with a background and interest in international humanitarian development. Extensive experience leading multicultural teams and improving performance.

​Language:

• Fluency (level C) in English language is required
• Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language) is required.
• Fluency in French and/or Spanish is highly desirable.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Extensive experience leading and coordinating humanitarian and development operations across multiple countries, ensuring coherence with UN system and international partners.
• Proven ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships with governments, UN agencies, NGOs, civil society, and the private sector to drive collective impact and advance food security.
• Strong diplomatic and representational skills, with experience engaging at regional and global levels to influence policy and mobilize support.
• Demonstrated expertise in crisis preparedness and emergency response, including coordinating multi-stakeholder responses to humanitarian emergencies.
• Track record in resource mobilization and donor engagement, including securing multi-donor and private sector funding.
• Experience in organizational performance management, capacity building, and promoting evidence-based decision-making through knowledge sharing and data-driven insights.

NEXT STEPS

This is not an application for a specific vacancy, but an opportunity to be considered for future leadership roles in our Regional Offices. If your profile is shortlisted for an upcoming opportunity, we will reach out to you for additional information and invite you to participate in further assessments.

We truly appreciate your commitment to WFP’s mission and look forward to the possibility of working together to achieve Zero Hunger.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Geographical Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. Selected candidates for any future Regional Director opportunity will be employed on a fixed-term International Professional position as well as a rotational contract with a probationary period of one year.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel, visa and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance. For more information, visit https://icsc.un.org/.

Selected candidates for future Regional Director opportunities will be required to relocate to the corresponding duty station to take up their assignment.

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:  [email protected]

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 [email protected] 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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements