Programme Policy Officer (Disaster Governance and Public Finance Expert), SSA L9

Nepal is highly exposed to a wide range of natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, droughts, floods and climate induced shocks, which continue to undermine development gains and disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable populations. Since the introduction of the 2015 Constitution, Nepal has undergone a major transition to a federal system with three tiers of government (federal, provincial and local) each with roles in disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management. However, the Constitution and subsequent legislation leave ambiguities regarding the distribution of responsibilities for disaster preparedness, financing, response and recovery across these tiers. While key institutions and policies exist, including disaster management funds at multiple levels, mandates for decision making, coordination, and accountability remain insufficiently defined, constraining timely, predictable and well coordinated action before and after shocks.

In Nepal, multiple disaster risk financing and climate related funding mechanisms exist at federal, provincial and local levels, alongside social protection programmes and contingency budgets intended to support households during crises. However, the “money in” and “money out” pathways are fragmented and poorly understood. It is often unclear where funds are held, what triggers their release, who has the authority to activate them, and how they are supposed to flow across institutions and government levels. Critically, linkages between disaster risk financing instruments, disaster management funds and scalable social protection mechanisms are weak, limiting the ability of the system to deliver rapid, adequate and well targeted support at scale to affected populations during disasters and stresses.

Against this backdrop, WFP works closely with the Government of Nepal to strengthen disaster risk reduction, resilience, and national systems, and is increasingly shifting towards technical assistance and country capacity strengthening under its 2024–2028 Country Strategic Plan. Building on existing analytical work commissioned by WFP and the Government on disaster risk management, targeting systems, social protection and disaster financing, this Terms of Reference seeks an expert who can consolidate and deepen this body of work. The assignment will result in a clear, practical and authoritative analysis – including detailed flow charts and operational narratives – that maps where disaster related funds sit, how they can be accessed and triggered, how they flow across the three tiers of government, and which delivery channels, including social protection programmes, can be used to reach the most vulnerable quickly and effectively in times of disaster and stress.

The purpose of this assignment is to lead the assessment of existing climate and disaster risk financing mechanisms (‘money out’) in Nepal including the policy, institutional and operational architecture of decision making at federal, provincial and local levels of government.

The role builds on previous work done by WFP, including (1) a broad overview of existing social protection schemes and programmes including targeting methods; and (2) a landscape analysis of climate and disaster risk finance insurance and opportunities to link it with social protection.

Position Title: Programme Policy Officer (Disaster Governance and Public Finance Expert)

Contract Duration: 60 workdays spread over 4 months from EOD

Date of Publication: 16.04.2026
Deadline of Application: 29.04.2026
WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary plus CIGNA health insurance.

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Programme and the direct supervision of Programme Policy Officer (EPR), the incumbent will undertake the following responsibilities:

Conduct a comprehensive review of disaster risk management funding instruments, national financing frameworks and funding flow at federal, provincial and local levels of government. The review should evaluate their effectiveness in supporting timely, predictable and adequately funded emergency response, and should ultimately identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for strengthening financial preparedness and early action.

• Assess the maturity, scalability and operational capacities of existing social protection systems and programmes, including cash-based interventions, social security allowance registries and digital payment systems.

• Evaluate the extent to which these systems can withstand and respond to climate and disaster-related shocks.

• Recommend measures to enhance system resilience and shock responsiveness.

Building on the existing exercises, map opportunities to integrate CDRFI, disaster management funds and social protection systems at institutional, policy, and operational levels. Provide recommendations to strengthen financial resilience through pre-arranged financing, early action triggers, and adaptive and shock-responsive social protection measures.

• Support development of integrated approaches that enhance national and local response capacities.

1. One analytical report on Disaster Management Fund mechanisms in Nepal (institutional, policy and operational structure, budgetary allocation, replenishment, decision making system, connection between different levels of funds and application of shock responsive social protection and relief standards etc.); and    

2. One consolidated Action Plan for integration of CDRFI and efficient management and strengthened governance of disaster management funds.

Education: Advanced University degree (master’s degree) in Economics, Public Policy, International Development, Sociology, Anthropology, Climate and Disaster studies, Social Science or any other relevant field. First University Degree (Bachelor's) in the relevant field with additional years of related work experience and/ or training/courses.

At least three years of post-graduate professional work experience (after master's degree) in disaster management, governance, public finance management, social protection, humanitarian and development project management.

• Strong knowledge on Nepal’s governance system, disaster risk reduction and management architecture, public financial management system and disaster management fund management mechanisms.

• Understanding emergency preparedness and response, Shock Responsive Social Protection and Relief Guidelines 2024 (SRSP), and social protection systems.

• Ability to design/refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), feedback systems, and operational guidance.

• Strong facilitation, documentation, and coordination skills with Local Governments (LGs), National Statistics Office (NSO), Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

Languages: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Nepali languages.