Global Family Liaison Officer (TDY)

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

13 October 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).

This 6-month home-based TDY serves to cover the position of WFP’s Global Family Liaison Officer, supporting the implementation of the Wellness Strategy and enhancing wellbeing for employees and their families worldwide. Reporting to the Head of Global Projects & HQ Counselling, the role focuses on developing family support programmes (including FLOCK), improving family-related policies and resources, strengthening peer support communities and social networks, delivering psychoeducation, and integrating family-related issues into WFP’s Psychosocial Risk Management framework.

The position requires a licensed mental health professional with strong experience working with families, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and programme management in a multicultural and global context. Please note: Candidates will need to obtain their line manager's approval before applying.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT

This 6-month home-based TDY serves to cover the position of WFP’s Global Family Liaison Officer, supporting the implementation of the Wellness Strategy and enhancing wellbeing for employees and their families worldwide. Reporting to the Head of Global Projects & HQ Counselling, the role focuses on developing family support programmes (including FLOCK), improving family-related policies and resources, strengthening peer support communities and social networks, delivering psychoeducation, and integrating family-related issues into WFP’s Psychosocial Risk Management framework.

The position requires a licensed mental health professional with strong experience working with families, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and programme management in a multicultural and global context. Please note: Candidates will need to obtain their line manager's approval before applying.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. The core policies and strategies that govern WFP activities are: save lives in emergency situations; improve the nutrition and quality of life of the most vulnerable people; and to help build assets and promote the self-reliance of poor people and communities, particularly through conditional food for work and training programmes.

The challenges of working in difficult conditions to bring much needed food and support to our recipients while inherently rewarding, can place a great deal of pressure and stress on WFP employees. As a part of a multidisciplinary team under the Wellness Service and through the implementation of the WFP Wellness Strategy 2025-2030, the Staff Counselling Unit is committed to the promotion of psychosocial and mental health in the broadest sense so employees can continue to function at high levels to meet the mandate of the organization.

Through the Wellness Strategy, WFP has committed to providing a corporate culture of health and fostering an enabling and supportive workplace. Operating within conflict zones and hazardous environments, combined with highly mobile careers, places unique stressors on employees and their families. At present, WFP is a leader in the UN system in providing psychosocial support to employees and their dependents on matters related to families, including peer support communities that foster social connection, mutual support and a sense of belonging across duty stations

and UN agencies. It is in the best interest of WFP to foster a sense of commitment to Wellness on the part of the employees, and a key part of employee wellbeing involves the wellbeing of dependents.

THE ROLE

The Family Liaison Officer reports to the WELC Head of Global Projects & HQ Counselling. Following the UN Mental Health Strategy Family Support Indicators as guidance and in collaboration with the global network of Staff Wellness officers and other stakeholders, the incumbent will continue to deliver programs and support policies that are designed to support families of all employees. Travel may be required at times to remote and difficult locations. The position will be home based and have a global remit.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

• As part of a multidisciplinary team work closely with individuals and teams to address psychosocial risks as they relate to families of employees;
• Work with partners in WFP to revise, improve and create policies and procedures to facilitate the transfer of relevant information including up-todatearrival/onboarding packages and integrating this information into the Wellbeing Platform; this also includes collating relevant data from duty stations about pertinent information for the families to take sound decisions on health, education, housing and other relevant topics;
• Increase managerial and organizational awareness and implementation of policies on leave, R&R, dual career policy on spouse employment, flexible working arrangements and others to mitigate potential conflicts between employees, WFP and families. Inherent in this role is to identify gaps in the existing policies and to design, improve and promote policies aimed at further developing a culture of care, enhancing social connection and family support;
• Collect information about options for social support in the duty stations and promote through Wellness Committees the creation of informal social networks that support the employees and their families’ adjustment and integration;
• Develop and facilitate psychoeducational programs for families on a range of relevant topics including but not limited to parenting, mental health issues, adjustment to new countries etc;
• Develop, design and implement the FLOCK programs (Families Liaison Outreach Community with or without kids) managing relevant human and financial resources;
• Take an active role in Psychosocial Risk Management, by responding to the key risks identified through the WFP Team Support Programme, as they relate to families.
• Lead the interagency agreements with partnering UN agencies for cost sharing FLOCK related activities such as the Global Thrive series.
• Regularly update and add content specific family related material to the Wellness Platform;
• Develop and deliver the family support modules as part of the Wellness Support Volunteer program;
• Identify and liaise with high quality local and regional mental health resources to develop a current global list of external providers who canprovide a range of services for families including but not limited to paediatriccare, child and adolescent mental health services, childcare services etc.
• Act as the WFP focal point for participation in the Mental Health Strategy Implementation Board, as subject matter expert of the Family Indicator/sub-indicators. To continue the work on the proposal submitted to the MHS team to have FLOCK mainstreamed across the UN system.
• Work with WFP Private & Public Partnerships team to explore funding options in the private and public sector for longevity funding for the Family Liaison & FLOCK work.
• In the best interests of employees and the organization work in a collegial and professional manner with all units in the Wellness & Culture Division (WEL), collaborating in the development and implementation of multidisciplinary programmes to ensure continuity of care.
• Work as part of a team to ensure divisional priorities are implemented consistent with the yearly divisional work plan and the Wellness & Culture Division Strategic Plan.
• Be proactive in building partnerships that support employees within the agency and also with other agencies or relevant organizations.
• Contribute to the development of policies and guidelines, as well as written and visual materials to increase awareness regarding important themes and topics related to Wellness & Culture;
• Complete administrative duties such as maintain statistics on activities and completing reporting requirements as per the requirement in the Wellness& Culture Division;
• Maintain the highest ethical standards related to the provision of services consistent with ethical guidelines endorsed by WEL;
• Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

Advanced university degree (Doctorate, Masters or equivalent) in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Psychiatry, Clinical Social Work or demonstrably equivalent studies from a recognized institution with a focus on family systems or similar field. Must hold a valid license as a mental health practitioner (psychologist etc) with a recognized governing body.

Additional training or certification in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, resilience, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, mediation, trauma etc. will be an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible professional post graduate experience relevant to the field is required.
• Demonstrated experience working with families is essential.
• Project management experience is desirable.

Language:

Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language).

Knowledge & Skills:

• Broad knowledge related to how families interface with services as well as a strong understanding of family systems theory or similar model.
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written and presentations).
• Ability to identify needs and suggest and/or develop appropriate policies and operational solutions.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients at all levels of WFP.
• Ability to contribute to the strategic vision of the Wellness division based on trends identified using a population health model.
• Must be an excellent team player and value working with a multidisciplinary and culturally diverse team.
• Very good working knowledge of technology tools such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
• Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries and establishand maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnicenvironment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

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:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

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 global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. 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.