Program Assistant – Disability Specialist

Overview
Support the development and implementation of disability inclusion initiatives in WFP Ecuador programs.

You have:

At least five (5) years of relevant experience in disability inclusion, human rights, or humanitarian protection.
Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, gender studies, human rights, political science, or related fields preferred.
Fluency in Spanish (oral and written) required; intermediate English preferred.
Experience with UN systems or NGOs is a plus.
Technical knowledge in disability inclusion in programs and projects.

Daily Job Alerts: Stay Updated, Stay Ahead with Pro Membership
UN Talent Pro

Details
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

30 July 2025-23:59-GMT-04:00 Atlantic Standard Time (Santo Domingo) 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 Program 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 climate change.

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).
Position:

Program Assistant – Disability Specialist

Contract type:

Contract for services

Level:

SC 5 Program Assistant

Unit

Program – Gender, protection and inclusion

Locality:

Quito, Ecuador

Duration:

Six (6) months, extendable

Start date:

ASAP

About WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization that saves and changes lives by providing food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience .

For its efforts to combat hunger , its contribution to improving peace in conflict-affected areas, and its driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict, WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.

Every day, WFP works around the world to ensure that no one goes to bed hungry and that populations living in poverty and vulnerable situations, especially women and children, have access to the nutritious food they need. In emergencies, WFP delivers food to where it’s needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict, and natural disasters. After an emergency, WFP uses the food to help communities rebuild their lives.

In 2022, WFP provided assistance to 160 million people in more than 120 countries and territories.

Brief description of the WFP in Ecuador
WFP has been present in Ecuador since 1964, serving as an innovative partner that supports government policies aimed at promoting food and nutrition security, gender equality, and food sovereignty, and directing its actions toward supporting the most vulnerable populations.

WFP’s Country Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (CSP) focuses on ensuring access to food before, during, and immediately after emergencies, disasters, and protracted crises ; ending malnutrition , especially chronic child malnutrition; achieving food security and advancing sustainable, equitable, and inclusive food systems while enhancing resilience to the effects of climate change ; and providing services that support the operations of government institutions and humanitarian partners (More information at https://es.wfp.org/paises/ecuador).

WFP’s ability to achieve its Strategic Objectives depends on its activities addressing the different needs and priorities of the women, men, girls, and boys they serve. A world without hunger can only be achieved if all people have equal opportunities, equal access to resources, and equal opportunities to have their voices heard in decisions that impact their households, communities, and societies.

CONTEXT AND ROLE IN THE ORGANIZATION
The World Food Programme’s Country Strategic Plan for Ecuador consolidates WFP’s role as a strategic partner of the Government of Ecuador, while maintaining the capacity to complement government food security and nutrition programs when necessary.

WFP, as a United Nations (UN) agency, is committed to promoting and encouraging respect for human rights, which is a core objective of the UN. WFP ensures humanitarian protection, guaranteeing the safety, dignity, and rights of the beneficiaries of its programs. In addition to food and nutritional requirements, there is a range of other needs and rights, including physical, social, emotional, and cultural aspects, which WFP must take into account. By considering these variables, WFP ensures that everyone benefits equally from its assistance and that discrimination is not perpetuated or exacerbated.

The Convention on the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities – CRPD (2006) establishes that persons with disabilities are those who have a physical, intellectual, mental or sensory (visual, auditory) condition that, when interacting with various barriers, may prevent their full and effective participation in society, on equal terms with others.

On June 11, 2019, the United Nations Secretary-General launched the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) to implement the Convention within the United Nations and promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

UNDIS recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities (PwD) as a matter of social justice and seeks the inclusion of disabilities at the internal and external programming levels of all UN agencies. It also promotes the empowerment of PwD and the recognition of their human rights.

Persons with disabilities face additional barriers to equal participation in society than others. These barriers (physical, technological, communication, and attitudinal) are exacerbated in times of disaster and crisis. The multidimensional connections between disability and poverty and malnutrition further contribute to the increased risk of marginalization and reinforce the importance of addressing the obstacles that persons with disabilities face in accessing their rights.

In this context, WFP Ecuador faces the challenge of ensuring the dignified, empowered, and appropriate inclusion of persons with disabilities, in line with the commitments made within the framework of UNDIS, the Protection and Accountability Policy, and the Country Strategic Plan.

To advance this objective, the hiring of a disability specialist is required to contribute to incorporating this approach both at the programmatic level—including actions implemented by cooperating and strategic partners—and internally, strengthening the capacities of the central office and sub-office teams.

This position will report directly to the Gender and Protection Associate and under the general supervision of the Deputy Country Director. The specialist will provide technical support to mainstream a disability approach in accordance with operational needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES (Non-exhaustive indicative list):
Contribute to the development, adjustment, and implementation of the Country Office’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, ensuring that all policies, programs, and strategies reflect an inclusive approach in accordance with the requirements of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) as needed, and in other activities to strengthen the inclusion of disability issues in WFP’s work.

Strengthen the technical capacities of the WFP team, implementing partners, suppliers, and other stakeholders in disability-related matters through training, field support, technical advice, and the development of inclusive methodologies that enable the effective participation of persons with disabilities.

Provide support, guidance, and monitoring to ensure that WFP’s organizational culture recognizes and values ​​disability, promoting reasonable accommodation policies at all levels of the organization and implementing regular disability training for all staff. Provide support and monitor the inclusion of disability in the country office’s activities, both internally and externally, ensuring the integration of a disability approach into programs, projects, and evaluations, and adapting tools and processes to guarantee accessibility and the effective participation of persons with disabilities.

Conduct risk analyses and develop strategies to eliminate physical, technological, communication, and attitudinal barriers in office operations.

Ensure the integration of disability considerations into WFP assessment tools, data collection, and processes, including adapting surveys and implementing Washington Group questions, to identify and address disability-related vulnerabilities when targeting beneficiaries.

Participate in inter-institutional and interagency forums, promoting collaboration with Organizations of People with Disabilities (OPDs) for the design and validation of WFP activities, and ensuring effective representation of people with disabilities in program initiatives. Provide guidance to ensure that all WFP internal and external communications are inclusive and accessible, supporting the design and development of materials in formats adapted to different types of disabilities, and promoting the use of respectful and inclusive language in all communications. Contribute to the preparation of reports, key messages, and other required documents from a disability perspective, ensuring that the reports adequately reflect the achievements and challenges in the inclusion of people with disabilities, using qualitative and quantitative indicators.

Support the implementation of operational and management commitments in the WFP Disability Inclusion Roadmap, using an intersectional approach.

Others that have to do with the inclusion of the ethnic approach in WFP activities.

REQUIRED PROFILE
Education
Applicants with a proven track record of completing higher education in social sciences, gender, human rights, political science, international relations, or related fields will be highly valued.
Additional training in gender, human rights, interculturality, development economics, or related fields, if not part of their university education.
Experience
At least five (5) years of relevant experience in two or more of the following areas:Mainstreaming the disability approach, differential approaches, human rights and/or humanitarian protection.
Application of the disability approach and/or intersectional approach in technical programs.
Implementation and/or monitoring of social projects, international cooperation projects or humanitarian projects;
The following will be positively valued:
Previous experience with the United Nations system and/or non-governmental organizations.
Experience in projects developed in coordination with the public sector and intersectoral coordination spaces.
Required skills and knowledge
Individuals with knowledge and/or experience in integrating the Disability Approach into programs and projects will be highly valued.
Understanding of the intersectional and gender approach, with the ability to identify and address additional barriers faced by women, girls, and other vulnerable groups with disabilities in accessing WFP services and programs.
Understanding the inclusion and protection approach.
Ability to interpret a wide variety of information and synthesize it into reports, knowledge transfer skills, and mastery of a capacity-building approach.
Ability to use standard office equipment, systems (Word, Excel, Teams).
Time management, organization, and follow-through to meet deadlines.
Ease of learning and ability to adapt.
Ability to communicate, work as a team and achieve common goals.
Knowledge of daily work tasks and methods in order to complete processes with minimal supervision.
Languages
Fluency in Spanish (oral and written) or Spanish as a native language
Intermediate level of English and good reading comprehension desirable.
WFP Leadership Framework

Lead by example and with integrity: Incorporate WFP values ​​into your daily life and demonstrate humanity and integrity by exemplifying caring for others.
Demonstrates WFP’s values, principles and standards, and encourages others to demonstrate them
Respect others, value diversity by using respectful and inclusive language, and encourage others to do the same.
Stays focused and calm under pressure, and encourages others to do the same.
Show humility and a willingness to learn and share knowledge, ask for feedback often and act on it, and take advantage of development opportunities.
. Generates results and fulfills commitments : Fulfills commitments and easily adapts to changes

Generates results of maximum impact: takes ownership of achieving results and holds others accountable for them
Delegate appropriately: Produce results based on delegated tasks and seek guidance and assistance when necessary.
Responds quickly to changes and adjusts work as needed
. Promotes inclusive and collaborative teamwork : Practice inclusion and collaboration , and contribute to a culture of learning and personal growth.

Promotes inclusive teamwork and psychological safety by sharing ideas and raising issues openly
Support the development of others by providing constructive and timely feedback
Listen carefully to others with the goal of capturing, knowing, building and sharing new perspectives
Applies strategic thinking : Demonstrates commitment to gathering feedback, analyzing options and risks, and proposing new working methods.
Meets WFP’s vision and is able to explain how its own objectives support that vision
Demonstrates curiosity and proposes new working methods when appropriate
Collect data and share insights to guide team decision-making
Puts decisions into action and asks questions to understand the potential impact on longer-range goals
Establishes and maintains sustainable partnerships : Establishes and nurtures external partnerships, and collaborates with partners to achieve common goals
Build partnerships by seeking out collaboration opportunities
Collaborate with partners by sharing information and working together to achieve common goals
At the World Food Programme (WFP), we are committed to equal opportunities and the diversity of our workforce in terms of gender, ethnicity, and culture. We value inclusion and encourage women, people from minority groups, and people with disabilities to join our organization.******

To improve the accessibility and inclusion of recruitment processes at the World Food Programme (WFP), we encourage individuals who require disability-related accommodations or other accessibility assistance to contact us. Please email your requests to [email protected]*** . Upon receiving your email, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team will contact you to confidentially discuss your needs and provide support. WFP is committed to providing a recruitment experience that respects and responds to the unique needs of each candidate.***

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to achieve 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: [email protected]

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fees in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a request 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

We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
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.
Apply now