Assistant Executive Director - Workplace and Management

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

18 November 2026-23:59-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 extreme weather shocks.

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).

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

WFP is seeking an Assistant Executive Director, Workplace and Management (United Nations Assistant Secretary-General level) to serve as a core member of its Senior Leadership Team. The incumbent will provide leadership for human resources and staff wellbeing, and across  WFP’s enabling functions, including management services, security and technology, ensuring a harmonious and results-driven work environment and that functions are aligned to support effective mandate delivery across global headquarters and country operations.

The AED Workplace and Management will play a critical role in strengthening WFP’s organizational effectiveness, operational resilience, and duty of care in a complex and evolving global environment. The incumbent will drive a coherent, accountable and results oriented approach to people, systems, services and security, with a focus on simplifying processes, empowering managers and staff, driving change, improving transparency, and ensuring that WFP’s resources are managed responsibly in support of principled humanitarian action.

As a senior leader, the AED will help advance WFP’s contribution to UN reform, including leading efforts to strengthen collaboration across the UN system to ensure that management practices enable agile, cost effective and accountable delivery, including through shared premises and services, where possible.

The role requires a leader of the highest integrity and credibility, able to build trust across the organization, engage effectively with Member States, UN partners and governing bodies, and model the values and standards expected of WFP’s senior leadership.

EXPECTED RESPONSIBILITIES

• As a member of WFP's cohesive Senior Leadership Team, work closely with the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and COO, Assistant Executive Directors and other senior leaders to shape and implement policies, strategies, and initiatives that advance WFP's mission and goals.
• Provide comprehensive strategic direction and guidance across WFP's Workplace and Management Department ensuring that enabling services are coherent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the organization.  
• Offer strategic leadership in integrating management functions across the organization to ensure effective coordination and alignment.
• Support WFP’s contribution to UN Reform and related initiatives by championing operational efficiency, mandate alignment, and structural reform, ensuring WFP remains a model of innovation and cost-effectiveness within the UN system.
• Set the tone for a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement, setting high standards of integrity and ethical behavior for all staff.
• Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion and fosters an environment of respect and collaboration across all levels of the organization.
• Oversee WFP’s duty of care and staff wellbeing agenda, including physical and mental health, occupational safety and health, and support to the personnel serving in hardship and high-risk duty stations.
• Engage and represent WFP in high-level fora (e.g. United Nations, including High Level Committee on Management, Governments, Executive Board, relevant humanitarian and development committees, etc.), asserting the organization’s position and ensuring that WFP interests are at the forefront of discussions and considerations.
• Promote and set the tone for innovation, efficiency and effectiveness internally and in engagement with other UN agencies and partners
• Undertake additional responsibilities as required to support WFP’s mission and the Senior Leadership Team.

CORE REQUIREMENTS

Experience:      

A minimum of 20 years of progressively responsible experience in senior management, administration or other relevant fields

Knowledge & Skills:      

• Strong track record of leadership and strategic management at the international level, preferably in humanitarian or development sectors
• Proven track record and experience in successfully managing and leading roles with significant breadth and complexity in related fields such as Administration, Security, Human Resources or Facilities
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and persuade at the highest levels.
• Demonstrated ability in fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and inclusion, with a strong commitment to diversity and gender equity.
• Successfully managed a significant budget and operating plan, and a multi-disciplinary team of experts across a variety of job functions.
• High level of emotional intelligence, with the ability to manage complex and challenging situations with empathy and tact.
• Impeccable personal and professional integrity, with a firm commitment to the work, objectives, values, and guiding principles of WFP and the United Nations system.
• Demonstrated experience in leading innovation and promoting operational efficiency in complex environments.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills, supported by a well-established network of international stakeholders and partners.
• Willingness to travel to different locations worldwide, often in challenging and remote environments.

LANGUAGES AND EDUCATION

• Fluency (level C) in English language
• Working knowledge proficiency of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language) highly desirable
• An advanced university degree in Organizational Development, Business Administration, Leadership, Public Administration or related field.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract at the Assistant Secretary General level, with a probationary period of one year.
• WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, as well as expatriate entitlements such as home leave, an education grant for dependent children, and compulsory pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit icsc.un.org.
•  All applications should include a cover letter and the curriculum vitae of the candidate in English and must be submitted through the WFP Careers website.

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

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at [email protected]. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

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.