Programme Assistant, SC5 - Zanzibar

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Job Details

• Type: Fully Present

• Location: Zanzibar, Tanzania, The United Rep.

• Time Type: Full time

• Posted On: Posted Today

• Job Requisition ID: JR119460

• Deadline for Applications: 26 January 2026 - 23:59 GMT+03:00 East Africa Time (Dar es Salaam)

About WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to 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. Our vision for the future workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high-performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment. We live WFP's values – Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion – and work with partners to save and change the lives of those we serve.

Learn more about WFP:

• Website: https://www.wfp.org 

• Social Media: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok

Why Join WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• We offer a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, internal mobility opportunities, and more.

• A career path in WFP offers exciting opportunities to work across various country, regional, and global offices, collaborating with passionate colleagues dedicated to delivering effective humanitarian assistance worldwide.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (refer to the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement).

Job Title: Programme Assistant - Zanzibar

• Type of Contract: Service Contract – SC 5

• Unit/Division: Programme

• Duty Station: Zanzibar, Tanzania

• Duration: 12 Months

Organizational Context

This position is located at the World Food Programme (WFP) Zanzibar Sub-Offices (SOs). The job holder typically reports to a Programme Policy Officer or their designate. The role requires working effectively under minimum supervision, performing basic analyses, and compiling reports to support information consistency and the smooth implementation of programmes/projects.

Job Purpose

The job holder is responsible for providing support on administrative, operational, partner, and government engagement and coordination to ensure the smooth implementation of WFP activities in Zanzibar.

Key Responsibilities (Not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive)

1. Perform specialized and/or standardized processes and activities within the specific technical area of work, supporting alignment with wider programme policies and guidelines.

2. Provide project management and/or general office support, following established targets and WFP’s policies and procedures.

3. Support the Programme Policy Officer to liaise with Government counterparts, NGOs, CSOs, partners, and media to ensure effective collaboration, and monitor ongoing WFP projects and joint programmes.

4. Facilitate programme implementation, including assisting in planning, organizing, and monitoring activities for WFP programmes in Zanzibar.

5. Provide administrative and logistical support by handling documentation, organizing meetings, training, and workshops, and assisting in distribution processes.

6. Perform accurate and timely recording of data for the Programme in the Zanzibar Sub-Office, including verifying and consolidating data for programme reports, ensuring adherence to WFP standards and donor requirements. Work and exchange information with internal counterparts to support effective collaboration, implementation, and monitoring of ongoing programme and project activities.

7. Support communication and activities with local partners, agencies, NGOs, and government counterparts.

8. Wherever needed, participate in all activities relevant to the UN in general and WFP in particular, as organized by the Zanzibar UN-RCO and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGoZ) through relevant line ministries.

9. Act as a point of contact for the resolution of general operational queries, requesting assistance where necessary.

10. Work under the guidance of the Head of the Zanzibar Office to implement standard emergency preparedness measures, ensuring WFP can rapidly respond and mobilize resources to affected areas at the onset of any crisis (wherever possible).

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11. Undertake other tasks as appropriate, as discussed with the supervisor, programme & VAM team, and World Programme (WFP) Management.

Desired Experiences for Entry into the Role

• Progressively responsible support experience in programme operations, preferably in humanitarian or development organizations.

• Experience in coordination with government counterparts and partners.

• Demonstrated experience in the implementation of programmes.

• Has observed or assisted with government discussions in various meetings, workshops, and trainings.

• Excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills for liaising with partners and government.

Standard Minimum Academic Qualifications

• Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary qualification, including a first degree in Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or other related fields relevant to international development assistance, is preferred.

• Experience: At least 1-3 years of experience in a similar position. Experience in coordination with government counterparts and partners. Experience in implementing technical programmes (e.g., Nutrition, Agriculture, Seaweed, Anticipatory Action, DRR, School Feeding, etc.). Experience in implementing programmes and providing inputs into designing operations. Has observed or assisted with policy discussions.

• Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Kiswahili.

WFP Leadership Framework

The WFP Leadership Framework guides the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission. Click here to access the 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 exercise particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Reminders Before You Submit Your Application

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs or spontaneous applications by email.

• If you experience challenges while submitting your online application, please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org for technical support only. Please note that applications sent to this email address cannot be considered.

• We strongly recommend that your profile be accurate, complete, and include your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application.

• Kindly note that 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.

• 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.