Programme Policy Officer (Livelihood and Technical Training Specialist) - SC8

About the role

The World Food Programme (WFP) is recruiting a Programme Policy Officer (Livelihood and Technical Training Specialist), SC8, a national position based in the Department of Rural Development and Poverty Reduction (DRD-PR) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) in Laos. The post supports the Building Resilience and Reducing Rural Poverty Project (BRRRP), a government initiative with the Asian Development Bank that pilots a climate-resilient, gender-responsive poverty graduation programme for poor rural women across four districts. The officer advises the ministry and works closely with WFP on implementation.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical advisory support to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment on nutrition-sensitive and climate-smart agriculture, livelihood approaches, resilience building and food systems transformation.
• Review climate resilience and vulnerability assessments and market assessments, and recommend climate-resilient livelihood options for each district.
• Help develop livelihood tools and train district coordinators, coaches and staff on livelihood matching, livelihood plan templates and grant monitoring.
• Support livelihood training modules and materials, incorporating climate resilience and gender considerations from the Gender Assessment and Gender Action Plan.
• Contribute to livelihood monitoring indicators and analyse monthly livelihoods data.
• Organize Training of Trainers for district coordinators and coaches, identify training partners and develop guidance notes on asset purchase, mobile money, second-tranche grants and income diversification.
• Collaborate with the Gender and Social Development Specialist, develop tools and mentoring, and share best practices and lessons learned.

Required profile

• Advanced degree in livelihoods, value chains, sustainable development, economics, public policy or a related field.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in livelihood programmes, including small and medium-sized enterprises, poverty reduction, social protection, economic inclusion, rural development and women's empowerment.
• Experience developing, managing and organizing training modules, and experience in climate-resilient livelihoods development.
• Prior experience on international donor-supported projects (UN agencies, IFIs such as IFAD, ADB, World Bank).
• Fluency in Lao and excellent writing, speaking and understanding of English.

Required skills

• Strong understanding of the Laos context, including government structure after restructuring and agriculture sector plans.
• Analytical, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Communication and stakeholder engagement with government institutions and development partners.