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).
JOB TITLE & GRADE LEVEL: Programme Policy Officer (Climate Resilience Specialist), SC8
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Service Contract (SC)
UNIT/DIVISION: Programme Unit – Integrated Resilience Programme
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Lilongwe, Malawi
REPORTS TO: Activity Manager, Integrated Resilience Programme
DURATION: 12 months (Renewable)
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. WFP Malawi is undergoing a strategic repositioning aimed at strengthening its alignment with national priorities, enhancing inter-agency collaboration, and supporting the Government of Malawi in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with a particular emphasis on Zero Hunger (SDG 2), in line with Malawi Vision 2063 and its first ten-year implementation plan (MIP-1).
WFP’s Malawi Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2024-2028 seeks to ensure the food and nutrition security of vulnerable people and communities while building resilience through the transformation of food systems. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2024-2028, the CSP sets out five mutually reinforcing outcomes and continues WFP’s strategic shift from direct implementer to enabler of nationally owned, sustainable systems, with phased handover of interventions informed by capacity assessments.
Malawi faces increasing climate-related challenges, including erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, floods, cyclones and rising temperatures, which significantly threaten food security, livelihoods and community resilience. These shocks exacerbate the vulnerabilities of rural households, disrupt agricultural production and heighten the risk of hunger and malnutrition, undermining progress towards Zero Hunger (SDG 2).
In response, WFP Malawi implements an Integrated Resilience Programme under CSP Outcome 3 (Activity 5), which addresses the root causes of food insecurity and builds sustainable food systems. Leveraging its field presence and partnerships, WFP delivers Food Assistance for Assets (FFA), the Integrated Risk Management Programme (IRMP), Smallholder Agriculture Market Support (SAMS) and the Zero Hunger Village (ZHV) model through a coordinated and mutually reinforcing approach. This work links to anticipatory action and shock-responsive social protection under Outcome 1 and to national capacity strengthening in climate services and early warning under Outcome 4. WFP Malawi also co-leads the UNSDCF strategic priority area on adapting to climate change, reversing environmental degradation and supporting energy transition.
JOB PURPOSE:
To advance this agenda, WFP Malawi seeks to recruit a Programme Policy Officer (Climate Resilience Specialist) to provide technical leadership and oversight for WFP Malawi’s climate adaptation portfolio, particularly projects funded through climate finance mechanisms, ensuring evidence-based design, compliant and timely implementation, robust monitoring and strong partnerships, so that climate adaptation interventions protect and strengthen food systems, livelihoods and nutrition outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Job Summary
- Employer: World Food Programme (WFP)
- Job Type: Contract
- Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
- Category: Project Management
- Closing Date: 2026-10-10
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership on climate adaptation and mitigation across the adaptation portfolio, ensuring alignment with the WFP Strategic Plan, the CSP, Government policies and donor requirements.
- Lead annual and multi-year work planning, budgeting, risk management and results tracking for climate resilience projects and the Zero Hunger Village model.
- Coordinate with internal teams (Programme, RAM/M&E, Supply Chain, Finance, Partnerships, Gender & Protection, Safeguards) to ensure integrated delivery.
- Oversee day-to-day implementation of climate adaptation projects and the ZHV model, guiding field teams and cooperating partners on climate-smart interventions such as climate services, anticipatory action, climate-resilient livelihoods, watershed management, ecosystem restoration, water security and shock-responsive systems.
- Ensure compliance with donor policies and standards (e.g., Adaptation Fund, Green Climate Fund), WFP governance, Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS), risk management, fiduciary requirements, visibility and audit readiness.
- Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical guidance and operational tools for climate activities.
- Serve as technical focal point with Government (e.g., the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services), UN agencies, IFIs, NGOs, academia and the private sector.
- Support policy dialogue, coordination platforms (e.g., climate working groups) and alignment with national frameworks, including the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), National Adaptation Plan (NAP), disaster risk management policy and sector strategies.
- Strengthen the capacity of government and community institutions in climate risk management and adaptation.
- Support the preparation of field level agreements and memoranda of understanding with NGO partners and government departments.
- Lead the development and implementation of results frameworks, M&E plans, baselines, midlines, endlines and learning agendas for climate projects.
- Ensure the integration of climate risk analytics (e.g., vulnerability mapping, seasonal forecasts, early warning data), outcome monitoring and cost-effectiveness/value-for-money assessments.
- Produce high-quality donor and corporate reports, knowledge products, case studies and lessons learned, and facilitate adaptive management.
- Mainstream gender, protection/AAP, disability inclusion and youth in design and delivery, ensuring meaningful participation and equitable benefit.
- Apply ESS instruments, grievance redress mechanisms and safeguards monitoring, ensuring do-no-harm and conflict sensitivity.
- Promote nutrition- and market-sensitive approaches within climate programming and, where relevant, link to social protection systems.
- Support proposal development, concept notes and resource mobilisation for climate resilience, including the Green Climate Fund and other climate funds.
- Manage technical contributions to donor briefings, visibility plans and communications content (human interest stories, factsheets, social media).
- Coordinate partner performance management, capacity assessments and technical backstopping.
- Work with Supply Chain and Finance to plan climate-related procurement (e.g., tools, seedlings, equipment, services) and track budget utilisation.
- Prepare and review TORs for service providers and consultants, technical specifications and deliverable-based contracts.
- Maintain risk registers and mitigation plans, and ensure audit compliance.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Requirements
- Education: Advanced university degree in Climate Science, Environmental Management, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Disaster Risk Management or a related field, or First University degree with additional years of relevant work experience.
- Experience: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in climate adaptation and resilience programming.
- Technical expertise in at least two of the following: climate services/early warning systems, anticipatory action, community-based adaptation, ecosystem and watershed management, water resources, nature-based solutions, social protection linkages and livelihood diversification.
- Proven track record in government coordination, partner management and capacity building.
- Strong analytical, writing and reporting skills; familiarity with WFP corporate systems is an asset.
- General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration.
- Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet and project management software, as well as standard WFP software packages and systems.
- Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is required
How to Apply
To apply, please visit: wd3.myworkdaysite.com
REF Code: JR127053
About the Company
The World Food Programme (WFP) is an international organization within the United Nations (UN) that provides food assistance worldwide. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and the leading provider of school meals. Founded in 1961, WFP is headquartered in Rome and has offices in 87 countries. In 2023 it supported over 152 million people, and it is present in more than 120 countries and territories.
Website: https://www.wfp.org/countries/malawi
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for a Programme Policy Officer (Climate Resilience Specialist) role in Malawi?
Most employers require a Master's degree in Environmental Science, Agriculture, Development Studies, or a related field, plus at least five years of relevant experience. Certifications in project management (PMP or PRINCE2), climate change adaptation, or disaster risk reduction are highly valued. Practical experience with smallholder farming systems and knowledge of Malawi's National Climate Change Policy strengthen your application.
What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a Climate Resilience Specialist in Malawi?
You will design and monitor climate adaptation programmes, conduct vulnerability assessments in rural districts, and coordinate with government ministries like the Department of Disaster Management Affairs. Field travel to communities in flood-prone areas like the Lower Shire or drought-affected regions is common. Report writing, donor liaison, and training local partners on climate-smart agriculture practices also form core duties.
How does local work culture in Malawi affect this role, and what expectations should I prepare for?
Workplace culture emphasizes respect for hierarchy and patience with bureaucratic processes, especially when engaging government stakeholders. Building personal relationships through face-to-face meetings is essential before formal agreements. Punctuality is valued, but flexibility is needed when community consultations run longer due to travel conditions or seasonal farming calendars.
What career progression paths exist for climate resilience specialists working in Malawi?
With experience, you can advance to Senior Programme Officer, Head of Programme, or Country Office leadership positions within international organizations. Some specialists transition into policy advisory roles with the Malawi government or regional bodies like SADC. Others move into consultancy or academia, leveraging field experience for research on climate adaptation in Southern Africa.
What benefits are typically offered for this level of position with international organizations in Malawi?
Benefits usually include comprehensive medical aid covering local and regional healthcare, pension contributions, generous annual leave, and hardship allowances for remote postings. Many organizations provide housing support or allowances, especially for positions based outside Lilongwe. Professional development funding for training and conference attendance is also common.
How should I apply for this role, and what do employers in Malawi specifically look for in candidates?
Apply through official organization portals with a tailored CV highlighting quantifiable results from past climate or food security projects. Employers seek demonstrated experience working with rural Malawian communities, strong stakeholder management skills, and fluency in English plus familiarity with local languages like Chichewa. Evidence of successful resource mobilization and published reports or policy briefs significantly strengthen your candidacy.