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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.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

WFP Lao PDR has developed its Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2027–2031, which is pending approval by the WFP Executive Board in November 2026 and will take effect in January 2027. The new CSP combines targeted assistance with stronger national and subnational systems for emergency preparedness and response, nutrition, resilient livelihoods, school meals and shock-responsive social protection. Across all outcomes, WFP will integrate inclusion, protection and accountability, with particular attention to women, children, persons with disabilities, minority communities and remote populations. 

The Programme Policy Officer – Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) is expected to commence at the beginning of the new CSP implementation period. The incumbent will provide programme-facing technical leadership to ensure that gender equality and women’s empowerment, disability inclusion and broader social inclusion are embedded in programme analysis, design, implementation, monitoring, learning, partnerships and resource mobilization. The role will support activity managers and field teams in translating corporate commitments and the CSP’s Framework on Accountability for Results into practical, measurable and context-appropriate actions. 

The position will focus primarily on gender equality, disability inclusion and social inclusion as integral dimensions of programme quality. The incumbent will coordinate closely with the national officer responsible for the Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM), protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), accountability to affected people (AAP) and related protection responsibilities. The incumbent will provide technical inputs where these areas intersect with GEDSI and programme design but will not be responsible for day-to-day CFM management, case handling, PSEA coordination or other operational protection functions assigned to that officer.

The GEDSI Officer position is established to support the implementation of WFP Lao PDR's new CSP 2027–2031 by ensuring the systematic integration of gender equality, disability inclusion and broader social inclusion considerations across all strategic outcomes and activities. The position will help the Country Office meet corporate Framework for Action Results (FAR) requirements and maintain continuity in mainstreaming GEDSI principles throughout programme design, implementation, monitoring, partnerships and evidence generation.

Advanced university degree in gender studies, development studies, social sciences, disability studies, human rights, international development, public policy or another relevant field; or a first university degree with additional years of related professional experience and/or relevant training.