Strategic Technical Advisor

Job Description Roles & Responsibilities Position Information • VA No.: WFP/VA26/84 • Position Title : Strategic Technical Advisor (STA) on Knowledge and Learning Management • Duty Station: Remote (home-based) • Duration: : Contract Start date: 21.06.2026, Contract end date: 20.03.2027 Deliverables-based contract • Contract Type: Consultancy • Vacancy Date of Issue: 03 June 2026 • Vacancy Closure Date: 17 June 2026 • National or International consultancy: National This vacancy is announced by WFP Iraq through Stars Orbit Consultants and Management Development (SOC). SOC is a sub-contractor for WFP Iraq, assisting the programme in implementing their activities through HR and contract management of consultants working in their support. To review the full Terms of Reference (TOR), please follow link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mveYtDPIgUBcruz4jiHgjoG1JQfjs01Q/view?usp=drive_link Organisational and Country Context The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world s largest humanitarian organisation, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and promoting sustainable recovery for populations affected by conflict, disasters, and climate change. In Iraq, WFP supports the development and strengthening of the social protection system by partnering with the government to advance skills development, food security, social assistance, social insurance, and the resilience of vulnerable populations. For further details, visit our webpages at wfp.org/countries/Iraq and ar.wfp.org/countries/Iraq. WFP has adopted a robust and proactive approach to social protection, as outlined in its 2021 Corporate Strategy for Support to Social Protection . This approach is a key pillar of WFP's 'changing lives' agenda, prominently featured in the Strategic Plan for 2021. Social protection, as a rapidly expanding priority area, is now central to WFP s work across all regions and in more than 98 countries , including Iraq, underscoring its critical importance at both national and global levels. In 2023, WFP supported nationally led social protection systems and programmes in 98 countries across all operational regions, up from 88 in 2022. This growth reflects WFP's commitment to strengthening social protection as a core pillar of its global strategy to achieve Zero Hunger under Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2). Iraq has an extensive social protection system, with social expenditure increasing from 23.7% of the Government of Iraq's spending in 2019 to 26.9% in 2023. The system is anchored by the Public Distribution System (PDS), one of the world's largest food assistance programmes, which reaches approximately 96% of the Iraqi population one of the highest coverage rates globally. In addition, the Social Safety Net (SSN) and the Persons with Disabilities Programme (PwD) provide income and service support to some of the most vulnerable groups. However, fiscal space remains constrained. The Federal Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) have committed to undertaking comprehensive reforms of their social protection system to support inclusion and equity, foster capacity-driven empowerment, bolster economic opportunity and security, and ensure sustainability and adaptability. To this end, they have established a partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Nations Children s Fund (UNICEF), under the European Union supported UN Joint Programme "Leveraging Effective Response and Accelerating Reform for Social Protection in Iraq." The Joint Programme is structured around broad outcome areas aimed at contributing to the reduction of poverty and vulnerability in Iraq through an inclusive, shock-responsive, child-, gender-, and disability-sensitive social protection system. These overarching outcomes are operationalised through a set of activities led and implemented by each participating agency according to its areas of expertise, with the ultimate objective of achieving the Programme s shared goals. As part of this partnership, WFP provides technical and operational advisory to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Iraq s social protection policies and programmes. Its services cover key areas including food security and nutrition, social inclusion, shock- responsive and adaptive social protection, school feeding, economic empowerment pathways for social safety net beneficiaries, and digitalisation. Through these efforts, WFP supports the development and operationalisation of major reforms aimed at strengthening the national social protection system, including Iraq s first single registry, school meals policy, and national social protection system, as well as the modelling and piloting of economic empowerment pathways. Purpose of the Assignment As part of its responsibilities, WFP leads the Knowledge and Learning Management (KLM) activities of the overall Joint Programme, focusing on capturing overarching trends, lessons learned, and programme contributions. In this context, the JP s KLM function supports the generation, internalisation, analysis, and dissemination of knowledge on social protection. This includes both capturing and organising knowledge internally, as well as sharing evidence, insights, and expertise externally to strengthen operational effectiveness and advance strategic objectives. Through this process, continuous internal and external learning is generated, fostering engagement, institutional improvement, and advocacy for social protection system reform. In light of the above, the Joint Programme (JP) seeks to engage a Knowledge and Learning Management Consultant to support the development of knowledge products related to both the Joint Programme and WFP s social protection activities in Iraq. Desired Candidate Profile Advanced university degree (Master s or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism, Media and Communications, Graphic Design, Knowledge Management, Public Relations, Development Communications, International Development, Social Sciences, or a related field. Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in knowledge management, communications, learning, research, public information, programme documentation, or content development within international development, humanitarian, or public sector contexts. Demonstrated experience developing high-quality knowledge and learning products, including policy briefs, case studies, analytical reports, evidence syntheses, advocacy products, human-interest stories, newsletters, fact sheets, and other dissemination materials for technical and non-technical audiences. Proven experience in publication design and visual communication, including the production of dissemination-ready reports, booklets, presentations, infographics, social media products, and other communication materials. Strong analytical and synthesis skills, with demonstrated ability to review complex evidence, identify trends and lessons learned, and translate technical information into clear, engaging, and accessible products for strategic engagement and advocacy. Experience supporting communications and visibility efforts, including development of social media content, website/blog articles, fact sheets, and public-facing advocacy materials. Demonstrated experience coordinating across multiple stakeholders and institutions, including government counterparts, UN agencies, donors, and technical teams. Experience designing and managing knowledge repositories, databases, classification systems, or digital knowledge-sharing platforms is highly desirable. Demonstrated ability to integrate storytelling and human-interest approaches into technical knowledge products, including coordination of interviews, photography, and beneficiary-focused content. Previous experience supporting social protection, poverty reduction, livelihoods, food security, resilience, governance, or public policy programmes is strongly preferred. Familiarity with concepts related to social protection, economic empowerment, digital transformation, school feeding, nutrition-sensitive programming, and shock-responsive approaches is considered an asset. Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple deliverables under tight timelines while maintaining high quality standards and responsiveness to feedback. Proficiency in graphic design and layout software (e.g. Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva or equivalent) is required. Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and collaborative digital platforms. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Working knowledge of Arabic and/or Kurdish is highly desirable. Company Industry NGOSocial ServicesCommunity ServicesNon-Profit Department / Functional Area TrainingLearning Keywords Strategic Technical Advisor Get real-time job updates only on our App