Harnessing Knowledge for Humanitarian Action: Strengthening Food Security, One Lesson at a Time with Hyun Jung Cha

‘Pathway to WFP’ is the LinkedIn career series by the World Food Programme investigating the professional backgrounds and life choices that led our staff to the world’s largest humanitarian agency. Subscribe to the newsletter to receive new episodes directly in your inbox!

Meet Hyunjung Cha, a Digital Solutions Officer in WFP’s Knowledge Management team at HQ. Her journey with WFP began in Tanzania, where she worked as a Programme Policy Officer supporting smallholder farmers and refugees. With experience spanning frontline humanitarian operations, capacity building, and digital learning, Hyun Jung is now focused on ensuring that knowledge and best practices are captured, shared, and applied to enhance WFP’s global impact.

In this edition, she reflects on her professional journey—from volunteering in Cambodia to leading livelihoods projects in Tanzania and now driving knowledge-sharing initiatives at HQ. She shares insights on the challenges and rewards of humanitarian work, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and key advice for those looking to build a similar career. Read on to learn how experience, curiosity, and resilience have shaped her approach to creating lasting impact in the fight against hunger.

Introduce yourself! What is your role at WFP? Where do you work and where are you from?

Hello! I’m Hyun Jung Cha from South Korea, currently working as a Digital Solutions Officer in the Knowledge Management team at WFP HQ in Italy. My journey with WFP began two years ago in Tanzania, where I worked as a Programme Policy Officer in the Kasulu sub-office. In July 2024, I transitioned to HQ as a Junior Professional Officer (JPO), supported by the Korean Government. Now, I’m excited to bring my field experience to a global level, helping strengthen learning and knowledge management across WFP.

Tell us about your professional journey: how did you start your career? What is your academic and previous professional background.

My professional journey has been shaped by unexpected yet meaningful steps. Rather than following a rigid career plan, I’ve taken each step based on what felt right at the time. It all began in high school when I read Betting on Famine, a book that posed a question that deeply resonated with me: Why does half the world still suffer from hunger despite all the progress we've made? Inspired by this, I studied sociology in university, hoping to find answers.

After graduating, I spent six months volunteering in a small village in Cambodia, eager to apply what I had learned about food security and human rights. Working alongside local farmers—plowing fields, planting crops, and immersing myself in their daily lives—I saw not only their struggles but also their resilience, knowledge, and hope. This humbling experience strengthened my determination to pursue a career in this field.

In 2015, I began my career at an international humanitarian NGO in Seoul, supporting project management and coordination across country offices. After two years, I sought hands-on experience and moved to Tanzania to manage livelihoods projects for refugees and host communities. Leading a field office in a complex humanitarian setting was both rewarding and challenging, reinforcing the importance of capacity building, learning, and knowledge management in strengthening program effectiveness.

Wanting to address these challenges on a broader scale, I transitioned to my organization’s Global Capacity Development Center, where I led the development of its first global online learning platform, integrating digital tools to make learning more accessible across locations. Later, I returned to headquarters in Seoul, providing technical support for humanitarian projects.

These experiences—spanning operations, digital learning, and global program coordination—deepened my passion for leveraging knowledge and technology to enhance impact. This eventually led me to my current role at WFP as a Digital Solutions Officer in the Knowledge Management team, where I work to enhance knowledge sharing, collaboration, and digital learning to help accelerate progress toward a world with zero hunger.

What brought you to WFP? Feel free to expand on how you joined the organization, and how your experience has been so far.

While working in a field office in northwestern Tanzania with my previous organization,

I first saw WFP in action—providing food to hundreds of thousands of refugees. Witnessing the scale and impact of its mission firsthand was truly inspiring.

A few years later, I came across a vacancy for a Programme Policy Officer position at WFP Tanzania, based in Kigoma—the very region where I had previously worked on my first professional field assignment. The role closely aligned with my experience supporting smallholder farmers and bridging humanitarian and development efforts. The opportunity to return to a place so meaningful to me, reconnect with the people, and contribute to an organization I had long admired felt like the perfect next step. That’s how my journey with WFP began.

Since joining WFP, my experience has been incredibly rewarding. Managing projects in Tanzania gave me a deeper understanding of the operational realities of humanitarian and development work. At the same time, I saw how valuable insights from one project could benefit others—yet they weren’t always systematically captured or shared. This realization strengthened my motivation to transition into my current role as a Digital Solutions Officer in the Knowledge Management team at WFP HQ, where I work to ensure institutional knowledge is captured, shared, and leveraged to drive greater impact across WFP’s global operations.

While at WFP Tanzania’s Kasulu sub-office, our main operation was providing food assistance to refugee populations in the camps. Given the strict encampment policies and limited livelihood opportunities, WFP’s food assistance was often the primary source of survival for refugees. This support was not only critical in meeting their immediate needs but also in maintaining stability within the camps. Additionally, WFP ran programs targeting groups more susceptible to malnutrition, such as pregnant women and children, ensuring those most at risk received essential nutritional support. Seeing the direct impact of these programs reinforced my commitment to WFP’s mission and the importance of ensuring that knowledge and best practices are shared across our global operations.

What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities at work? (both in your current role and your previous one)

With rapid advancements in technologies like AI, the way we generate, capture, share, and apply knowledge is evolving faster than ever. I believe these innovations hold immense potential for improving knowledge management and enhancing operational efficiency. As a Digital Solutions Officer in WFP’s Knowledge Management team, I am excited to explore how we can harness these tools to drive impact.

In my day-to-day work, I collaborate with divisions across WFP, including some of the most complex country operations, to identify and address gaps in knowledge management platforms and processes. My focus is on continuously improving how knowledge is captured, shared, and applied. Currently, I am working on a project that leverages digital solutions to capture lessons learned, ensuring that critical institutional knowledge is retained and easily accessible. By making this knowledge available and actionable, we can enhance decision-making, improve efficiency, and ultimately accelerate WFP’s progress toward Zero Hunger.

Previously, as a Programme Policy Officer in WFP Tanzania, I managed a project funded by the Government of Korea, supporting smallholder farmers in refugee-hosting districts and refugees in the camps. This initiative aimed to empower host communities while ensuring food security for refugees. My responsibilities included working closely with cooperating partners, overseeing project implementation, facilitating capacity-building initiatives, and ensuring compliance with reporting requirements. Beyond capacity building and market linkages, WFP played a crucial role in bridging humanitarian assistance with long-term development through its local procurement program, strengthening food systems at the local level.

What is the most rewarding part of working at WFP?

The most rewarding part of working at WFP is knowing that every effort—big or small—contributes to making a real difference in people’s lives. Whether in the frontlines of an emergency or at HQ, everything we do plays a role in advancing WFP’s mission to achieve Zero Hunger.

During my time in Tanzania, I saw firsthand both the urgency and impact of WFP’s work. I witnessed thousands of refugees lining up to receive food assistance that was essential for their survival. I also met local farmers who proudly shared how WFP’s training helped them achieve higher yields of maize and beans than the previous season. These moments, deeply engraved in my heart, remind me why I do what I do.

Beyond the impact of our work, what truly motivates me is the incredible people I’ve met along the way—colleagues who dedicate themselves every day to serving those in need. Being part of this global mission and working alongside such inspiring individuals is what drives me forward.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in your job and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges was coordinating multiple stakeholders while ensuring effective project implementation. Managing projects with interconnected outcomes came with various obstacles—limited access to finance for smallholder farmers, unpredictable weather, logistical constraints, and more. Balancing diverse priorities while staying on track to achieve project goals required strong coordination, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.

Fortunately, I wasn’t alone in navigating these challenges—I had an incredible team of colleagues and supervisors who worked together, continuously adapting and finding solutions. To strengthen project coordination, I focused on enhancing data-driven decision-making. I led assessments and monitoring activities to ensure data wasn’t just collected but transformed into actionable insights. By using visualization dashboards and proactively facilitating discussions, I helped stakeholders make evidence-based decisions, improving coordination and driving better outcomes.

Can you tell us about your time in Tanzania?

Being the only international staff in the sub-office, I quickly realized that Swahili wasn’t just helpful—it was essential. Determined to integrate and communicate more effectively, I made a conscious effort to learn the language, practicing at every opportunity—whether in meetings, field visits, or casual conversations with colleagues. I firmly believe that language is a gateway to deeper understanding, stronger relationships, and more meaningful collaboration.

Over time, my efforts were deeply appreciated by colleagues, community members, partners, and government officials. Seeing an Asian woman speaking their language often sparked smiles, laughter, and a sense of connection. It not only helped me navigate my work more effectively—strengthening partnerships and building trust—but also allowed me to truly appreciate and embrace the people, culture, and country. My experience in Tanzania was not just about professional growth; it was a deeply personal journey that shaped my perspective and strengthened my commitment to the work we do.

Can you share 3 tips on how to pursue a similar career?

• Go to the field: Nothing can replace the firsthand experience . If you want to build a career in humanitarian and development work, don’t just read about it—go and see it for yourself. Beyond strategies and reports, this work is about real people and their lives. The relationships I built and the stories I heard  constantly remind me why I do this work.

• Be curious: Curiosity fuels growth. Be open to new ideas, challenges, and technologies. Looking back, my steepest learning curves came when I was passionate about solving a problem and took the initiative to learn—whether it was developing an online learning system, mastering a new digital tool, or learning Swahili. When you approach every challenge with curiosity, learning becomes exciting rather than overwhelming, and new opportunities open up.

• Be resilient: Resilience isn’t about avoiding difficulties—it’s about adapting, problem-solving, and growing through them. There were times I felt completely out of my depth, adjusting to high-pressure roles or unfamiliar environments. I had to ask for help, embrace setbacks, and keep moving forward. Things won’t always go as planned, but staying flexible and committed to growth will make you stronger. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and create impact.

Thank you Hyun Jung!

Let us know your thoughts and questions and share these career tips with the future humanitarians in your LinkedIn connections. Subscribe to our ‘Pathway to WFP’ newsletter to receive the next episode in your inbox!