General

Description of assignment title: Programme Policy Officer

Assignment country: Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Duty stations: Vientiane

Work location: UN Premises

Expected start date: 04/01/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility of extension)

Sustainable Development Goal: 2. Zero hunger

Host entity: World Food Programme Laos

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Youth

Work arrangement: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

•  We want Lao PDR to become independent and efficient in providing healthy food for its people.
•  Our goal is to gradually stop distributing food and to set up an environment that ensures that the authorities can assist and guide communities in making their own informed choices about what kind of food to put on their families’ tables.

Context:

•  Under its Country Strategic Plan (2022-2026), WFP Lao PDR is committed to responding to emergencies in a country highly exposed to multiple hazard shocks such as floods, storms, landslides, and droughts. Beyond emergency response, WFP partners with the Government to strengthen national capacities for preparedness and response, leveraging its expertise in supply chain management and innovative solutions such as cash-based transfers to build resilient systems. This position offers a unique opportunity to learn from WFP’s global leadership and operational experience in cash assistance during emergencies. As part of the Programme team, the UN Volunteer will report to the Emergency Response Unit, supporting both emergency operations and initiatives that enhance national systems—particularly through the integration and scale-up of cash-based transfers for improved emergency preparedness and response.

Task description:

•  Under the direct supervision of Lalongkone Chanthamaly, Programme Policy Officer for Emergency Response and Preparedness, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
•  1. Support the design and implementation of innovative, context-specific CBT pro-grammes that are people-centered, prioritize women, and remain responsive to evolv-ing needs and preferences.
•  2. Assist with developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and process flows to guide emergency response and cash-based transfer (CBT) implementation.
•  3. Support operational research and learning initiatives, including documenting best prac-tices and lessons learned on CBT in emergency contexts.
•  4. Assist with coordination and stakeholder engagement, actively participating in Cash Working Groups (CWGs) and contributing to inter-agency efforts to harmonize cash programming.
•  5. Support beneficiary management and protection, including monthly transfers, reconcil-iations, and ensuring adherence to protection principles in CBT delivery.
•  6. Contribute to the update of the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) and gap analysis to inform cash transfer value setting and ensure alignment with market conditions and household needs.
•  7. Support identification of appropriate delivery mechanisms, both digital and non-digital, ensuring accessibility and efficiency for diverse populations.
•  8. Maintain partnerships with local governments, communities, and partners to strength-en government and community ownership of CBT initiatives at national and sub-national levels.
•  9. Support the implementation of the Cash Assurance Framework, reinforcing internal controls, monitoring systems, and risk mitigation measures.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 – 80

Required experience: 1 month

Donor priorities:

•  .

Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria:

•  This assignment is funded by the Government of Luxembourg, and therefore specific criteria apply:
•  Applicants must be Luxembourg nationals or have been resident in Luxembourg for a minimum of five years. A copy of the passport must be uploaded in the passport section. Non‑Luxembourg nationals must also upload a residence certificate as proof of five years of residency.
•  AGE AND EXPERIENCE
•  Category: UN Youth Volunteer / UN Volunteer Associate
•  Applicants must not exceed 30 years of age at the time of application.
•  Note: As of 1 April 2026, the assignment category name will change from UN Youth Volunteer to UN Volunteer Associate.
•  Category: UN Volunteer Specialist
•  Applicants must not exceed 35 years of age at the time of application.
•  Applicants must possess either a master’s degree with at least three years of relevant experience or a bachelor’s degree with at least five years of relevant experience.
•  Category: UN Volunteer Expert
•  Applicants must possess either a master’s degree with at least seven years of relevant experience or a bachelor’s degree with at least ten years of relevant experience.
•  -Candidates may apply to a maximum of three assignments per advertisement. Please indicate the order of preference in the ‘Additional remarks’ section, including country and title of assignment.
•  – Application deadline: 15 February 2026
•  SELECTION
•  – Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment. Interviews will be conducted by UN Host Entities in March 2026.
•  +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

•  No experience required

Languages:

•  Laotian, Level: Fluent, Desirable
•  English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level:

•  Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social and Political Science, International Affairs, Economics, Business Administration, Information Systems, Public Policy, or other relevant field.

Competencies and values:

•  â˜’ Adaptability and Flexibility
•  â˜’ Client Orientation
•  â˜’ Commitment to Continuous Learning
•  â˜’ Knowledge Sharing
•  â˜’ Professionalism
•  â˜’ Technological Awareness
•  â˜’ Working in Teams

Skills and experience:

•  Experience or demonstrated interest in:
•  Emergency preparedness and response in humanitarian or development settings.
•  Cash-based transfers (CBT) programming or related areas such as social protection or financial inclusion.
•  Coordination and engagement with government, UN agencies, and partners.
•  Data collection, analysis, and operational research to support programme design.
•  Skills:
•  Basic understanding of cash-based transfer concepts and delivery mechanisms (digital and non-digital).
•  Ability to support data collection, analysis, and interpretation to inform programme decisions (e.g., market assessments, expenditure analysis).
•  Strong organizational and communication skills for stakeholder engagement and teamwork.
•  Proficiency in Microsoft Office and willingness to learn data management tools.
•  Attention to detail and ability to follow established processes and SOPs.

Area(s) of expertise:

•  Business management, Crisis and emergency response, Economics and finance