Job Title: Programme Assistant (School Feeding), G5
Type of Contract: Fixed Term
Unit/Division: Programme Unit
Duty Station: Dili, Timor-Leste
Duration: One year
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
Since gaining independence in 2002, Timor-Leste has made significant progress in reconciliation, reconstruction, human rights, and democracy. However, its economy remains highly dependent on dwindling oil and gas revenues, necessitating urgent investments in socioeconomic development. With a population of 1.3 million, Timor-Leste faces a 45.8% multidimensional poverty rate—the highest in Southeast Asia. Vulnerable groups, including women, persons with disabilities, and rural communities, are disproportionately affected.
A 2022 analysis revealed that only 25% of the population enjoys food security. While most can afford an energy-sufficient diet, a nutritious diet remains out of reach. As a food-deficit nation importing 60% of its food, Timor-Leste struggles with low agricultural productivity and persistent malnutrition. Stunting affects 47.1% of children under five, posing long-term health and economic risks.
Timor-Leste’s non-oil agrarian economy faces additional obstacles from climate change, disaster risks, and economic contractions. Moreover, severe food shortages persist, particularly during the lean season (November to February), with 62% of farmers experiencing at least one month of food insecurity annually.
The National School Feeding Programme (SFP) ‘Merenda Scholar’ in Timor-Leste has been an essential initiative aimed at addressing multiple challenges related to nutrition and education. In Timor-Leste, malnutrition and food insecurity remain significant concerns, particularly among children. The Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL), with support from the World Food Programme (WFP), has been working to improve the nutritional status of school-age children, focusing on providing nutritious meals to enhance both health and educational outcomes.
The WFP Timor‑Leste Country Office (TLCO) Strategic Plan 2026–2030 (CSP) is fully aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026–2030 for Timor‑Leste as well as national government priorities and strategies. It reflects the shared ambitions of WFP, the United Nations, and the Government of Timor‑Leste to advance nutrition, food security, and sustainable development.
Within this framework, the purpose of the assignment is to support in nutrition and strengthen the overall effectiveness of the National School Feeding Programme. The assignment will support to contribute to improving dietary diversity, promoting local produce, ensuring safe and nutritious meals in schools, and reinforcing the role of National school feeding as a cornerstone of social protection and human capital development in Timor‑Leste.
The Programme Assistant will be reporting to School Health and Nutrition Project Coordinator and accountable for: