Consultancy - Partnerships Officer - Rome, Italy

Consultancy Opportunity at WFP Headquarters, Rome, Italy

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) seeks individuals of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance

Female applicants are especially encouraged to apply

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, delivering food assistance to over 100 million people in need in more than 80 countries every year. With over 5000 trucks, 30 ships and close to 100 planes on the move every single day, WFP, together with its partners, operates a global network to deliver life-saving food assistance to the most hard-to reach places.

In 2020 the World Food Programme was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to combat hunger and its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas.

JOB PURPOSE

WFP has been delivering food assistance to the most remote and insecure regions of the world for nearly 60 years - during which time WFP developed its supply chain capabilities to support its goals of eradicating hunger and malnutrition. This expertise in humanitarian supply chain is widely recognized, both internally and externally, as the backbone of WFP food operations and it has led to the rise of WFP-provided common services.

Under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG 17:16) and broader UN reforms focused on shared services, such activities provide WFP with flagship opportunities to represent WFP’s commitment to these global efforts.

In light of the growth of WFP’s portfolio of supply chain services to the humanitarian community, including in health-related emergencies, WFP Supply Chain Division is establishing an augmented and structured Logistics Common Services function to fulfil the demands of WFP’s service provision to partners.

The Logistics Common Services will seek to develop an effective positioning with public, private and external partners to attract policy support, resources, technical assistance and innovative solutions to advance its work. The incumbent will work directly with the management of the Logistics Common Services to achieve this objective, complementing ongoing corporate and divisional initiatives, supporting partners in the achievement of SDGs and emphasizing WFP’s contributions in this regard.

The incumbent will manage a diverse portfolio and is expected to exercise a high degree of independence and be a self-starter on new initiatives.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• • Support the development of a partnership strategy to enable WFP to identify, develop and strengthen quality partnerships in support of the Logistics Common Services Branch.
  • Proactively contribute to a partnerships portfolio, including partner profiling, data/trends analysis and outreach activities, with the aim of maximizing resources for Logistics Common Services, and to leverage policy and technical support for WFP’s work. This includes working closely with both the Public and Private Partnerships Divisions and Partnerships Offices in donor engagement efforts.
  • Draw up quality partner proposals, internal and external reports, and grant extensions by engaging with other WFP entities and external stakeholders, including the budgetary elements in line with the corporate norms, processes and regulations; and ensure quality control of content by engaging with relevant functional units. Ensure partner visibility and other conditions are met, ensuring consistency with corporate messages.
  • Coordinate with relevant units in the Logistics Common Services Branch and the Supply Chain Division to prepare project reports, including expenditures and shortfalls as per requirements and specifications; monitor funds allocation and spending rate; assess funding shortfalls; and ensure special requirements, including earmarking, are properly communicated and implemented.
  • Support the preparation of briefing materials and reports to internal or external stakeholders concerning Logistics Common Services activities and contribute to the development of key messages and advocacy initiatives. Attend donor meetings with senior management as needed.
  • Gather and share partner intelligence (including forecasting), using key information systems (e.g. Salesforce, WINGS, WFPGo).
  • Use data to propose options to managers to expand support from existing partners and to scope new partners, with the aim of enhancing the impact of WFP’s work and diversifying the resource base.
  • Solicit inputs from other functional entities and offices on WFP’s programmatic offering that can gain traction with individual partner audiences; conduct analysis and draft quality briefs in support of outreach opportunities.
  • Facilitate corporate dialogue with partners through networking and information sharing; proactively highlight strategic issues to senior managers and propose options for the best course of action to nurture trust and partnership growth.
  • Be willing to deploy to field operations as necessary.
  • Other duties as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Advanced University degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Economics, International Relations, Law, Marketing, Communications or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience

• Minimum three or more years of relevant professional work experience in partnership roles in an international context. Experience with reporting/tracking systems highly desirable. Previous experience in emergencies is important. Knowledge of supply chain is a plus.

Language

• Fluency in English and working knowledge of a second UN language is desired.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Has a solid understanding of government and corporate strategies and priorities and experience in developing multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Has explored new partnership opportunities, provided inputs into developing solutions with prospective partners and explored new areas to scale-up existing activities.
• Has designed and managed all resource mobilization processes and resource strategies, negotiated contract terms and provided resourcing advice to seniors.
• Has gained experience in using technology and digital tools for data collection, analysis and shared data-based insights to add value to all partnerships.
• Has past experience in creating external communications and briefing materials.
• Has provided advanced technical support and identified opportunities for service delivery excellence to strengthen partnerships.
• Has motivated team spirit and contributed to a gender-balanced, inclusive and sound working environment.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP:

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Application deadline: 02 May 2021 (midnight Rome time)

Your CV must be submitted in English

Women applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply. WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. 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.