Programme Policy Officer (Anticipatory Action) - CST II - Peshawar

The World Food Programme (WFP), the largest humanitarian organization globally, is seeking a Programme Policy Officer (Anticipatory Action) on a consultancy basis for a three-month assignment based in Peshawar, Pakistan. This role supports WFP’s efforts in climate risk management and disaster resilience, specifically through the implementation of an anticipatory action framework focused on flash flood early warning and response systems in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The position involves providing high-level technical advisory services to design operational guidelines, trigger mechanisms, and integration strategies with government disaster management systems. The successful candidate will work closely with provincial and district authorities to institutionalize anticipatory action, ensuring timely and effective early interventions before disaster impacts occur.

Key Responsibilities:
- Contribute to the development and translation of WFP-wide programme policies into practical, field-level operations, ensuring alignment with organizational strategies and field realities.
- Provide expert advice on programme and policy issues, including assessment, analysis, and the deployment of innovative approaches to support government efforts in food security and nutrition.
- Assist government counterparts and partners in planning and implementing food assistance programmes that strengthen ownership and effectiveness at national and sub-national levels.
- Establish and maintain partnerships to enhance collaborative approaches and advocacy efforts in humanitarian and development contexts.
- Lead the design and operationalization of a flash flood anticipatory action framework, including trigger mechanisms based on forecast thresholds, impact-based forecasting, and vulnerability analysis.
- Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for trigger activation, decision-making workflows, communication chains, financing mechanisms, and anticipatory action implementation.
- Integrate flood modeling and impact-based forecasting into early warning systems to inform anticipatory actions.
- Map institutional mandates and coordination mechanisms to embed anticipatory action within provincial and district disaster management frameworks and contingency plans.
- Develop governance structures for trigger validation, early action authorization, and accountability mechanisms.
- Lead capacity development initiatives, including technical training modules, simulation exercises, and Training-of-Trainers (ToT) programs.
- Ensure anticipatory action protocols are gender-responsive and socially inclusive, addressing the needs of vulnerable groups and integrating community feedback mechanisms.
- Develop and implement a monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework to assess trigger accuracy, lead time, cost-efficiency, and impact reduction, documenting lessons learned and best practices.
- Provide periodic technical progress reports and a final completion report, delivering key outputs such as the anticipatory action framework, operational guidance, capacity development materials, and an institutionalization roadmap.

Required Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Disaster Risk Management, Climate Change Adaptation, Hydrology, Meteorology, Environmental Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field; or a first-level university degree with an additional five years of relevant experience.
- Minimum of five years of professional experience in anticipatory action, impact-based forecasting, flood trigger design, climate risk management, or flood risk management.
- Proven experience in designing and operationalizing trigger-based anticipatory action systems and integrating them with early warning and forecasting systems.
- Familiarity with resilience programming and experience working with government institutions in developing country contexts.
- Experience working in Pakistan or South Asia is an advantage.
- Strong expertise in global anticipatory action frameworks and standards, hydrometeorological forecasting, disaster risk financing, and shock-responsive mechanisms.
- Excellent written and spoken English (Level C).

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits:
WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural work environment, investing in the personal and professional development of its employees through training, mentorship, and internal mobility opportunities. As a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, WFP provides an attractive compensation package, including competitive salary and medical insurance. The role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative climate risk management initiatives within a globally recognized humanitarian organization.

WFP is committed to equal employment opportunities and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, disability, or other status. Reasonable accommodations are provided for applicants with disabilities. All applications must be submitted through the official online recruitment system by 29 September 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. WFP maintains a strict no-fee policy throughout the recruitment process.