International Consultant - Rice Fortification Blending Operation, CST 2

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

25 October 2026-23:59-GMT+07:00 Indochina Time (Vientiane)

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.

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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).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Government of Lao PDR, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and supported by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, is implementing a two-year project to strengthen large-scale food fortification, particularly rice fortification as a key priority. Lao PDR faces high rates of micronutrient deficiencies including anemia, especially among women and children. Given rice is the country's staple food, rice fortification presents a strategic opportunity to address widespread micronutrient deficiencies in a cost-effective, efficient manner.

This initiative seeks to support the development of a robust policy and regulatory framework, standards, and implementation guidelines that will guide national efforts in scaling up fortified rice production and integration into public distribution systems and emergency reserves.

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The overall objective of this assignment is to build the in-country capacity of the production of fortified rice in Lao PDR, incorporating global best practices and food safety measures. The consultant will work in close coordination with WFP, the Ministry of Health, millers, and relevant national stakeholders to achieve these objectives.

SCOPE OF WORK AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Finalize a comprehensive blending manual covering operations, equipment uses, quality assurance (QA), safety, and record-keeping. Facilitate validation with millers and relevant authorities.
• Design and deliver training sessions for WFP staff, millers and government partners on equipment operation, fortification procedures, QA, safety and use of the manual.
• Provide technical support for the planning and implementation of various activities and processes related to fortified rice production and QA in alignment with relevant programme policies and guidelines.
• Provide technical support for installation and operation of blenders. Advice on site preparation, proper setup and blending tests to validate equipment performance, to certify a site acceptance test approval.
• Develop reports and data analysis related to rice fortification, highlighting progress, trends, challenges and lessons learned; ensure timely, accurate data recording consistency and reliability of information presented to stakeholders and project reporting purposes.
• Liaise with internal teams, the National Nutrition Centre and other stakeholders to support effective collaboration, implementation and monitoring of ongoing project activities.
• Perform other related duties as required.

DELIVERABLES:

• Installation and smooth operation of blenders at selected mills, and technical clearance of the site acceptance test approval with documentation of blending equipment calibration and summary of blending test results.
• Finalized version of the blending manual for fortified rice kernels blended with milled rice.
• Training sessions delivered and training reports shared, including participants, content, and outcomes.
• Final technical report including a comprehensive summary of implementation, achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations for future scale-up.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Master’s degree in food science and technology, food engineering or related field or basic degree with 5 years’ additional experience Food Science and Technology
• Specific technical knowledge and working experience regarding rice fortification and setting up blending factories.
• Has worked with technical teams (i.e., Food safety, Food quality, nutrition, Agriculture technology, etc.) and contributed to the implementation of programmes.
• Has observed or assisted with policy discussions and policy formulation.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS:

• The consultant will work along with the Food fortification project team at the WFP Lao PDR Country Office.
• WFP will facilitate meetings with government counterparts and other stakeholders.
• WFP will support logistics for meetings and in-country mission (if applicable).

TIMELINE: The consultancy is expected to start in 22 November 2026 and conclude within 3 months. The total number of working days will not exceed 40 days.

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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

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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.

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Our greatest strength is the people working around the world providing access to nutritious food and promoting lasting solutions to those we serve. WFP provides its staff with meaningful and impactful careers, continuous learning and training, and a multicultural and stimulating work environment.

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, physical or mental disability.

About WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are 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.

Read more about WFP’s history here, and WFP’s mission here

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