Senior Partnerships Officer, NOD

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WFP seeks candidates 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.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

This position is within WFP Caribbean, established to implement a multi-country technical assistance and capacity-strengthening programme in the Caribbean region (covering 22 countries and territories), supporting emergency preparedness and response (EPR) functions. WFP work focused to strengthen the use of social protection systems in times of crisis through research, knowledge sharing and advocacy, facilitating intra-regional south-south collaboration, and developing human resource capacity in this area. Governments are increasingly requesting tailored support in the form of technical assistance in key areas of WFP’s expertise including VAM, information management, beneficiary targeting and strengthening delivery mechanisms. WFP collaborates with regional institutions and international finance institutions to explore innovative solutions to address barriers to disaster risk financing.

Job holders should have the specialized knowledge and experience required to analyze and advise on complex partnerships activities. Identify and pursue strategic opportunities and strengthen long-term partnerships with a host of public, private sector and external entities (governments, UN agencies, intergovernmental institutions and their member states, international financial institutions, high net worth individuals, corporations, foundations and NGOs). This includes leveraging the capacities of this segment to build long lasting partnerships that goes beyond resources but expands to leaving a mark to future development visions of the country.

JOB PURPOSE

Drive WFP’s effective positioning with public, private and external partners to attract policy support, resources, technical assistance and innovative solutions to advance the work of WFP, while supporting member states in the achievement of the SDGs and Zero Hunger and emphasizing WFP’s contributions in this regard. Serves as an enabler and influencer to effectively position WFP with public, private and external partners to attract policy support, resources, technical assistance and innovative solutions to advance the work of WFP, while supporting member states in the achievement of the SDGs and Zero Hunger and projecting WFP’s contributions in this regard.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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: A minimum of 8 years or more of postgraduate professional experience; or a First University Degree with 10 or more years of professional related experience.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.

Key Accountabilities (not all-inclusive)

1. Drive the positioning with partners on WFP’s corporate value proposition in specific thematic areas and country/regional contexts, using tailored content and language that speaks to individual partner audiences and align with on-going policy dialogue in national and global fora; Manage internally to support coherent partner engagement across the organization.
2. Guide functional units, RBs and COs on partnership strategies (including Partnership Action Plans); Extend support/guidance on partnership/contribution management, including quality proposal and report writing, by engaging with other WFP entities and external stakeholders.
3. Guide the team to proactively manage all aspects of a partnerships portfolio, including partner profiling, data/trends analysis and outreach plan, so as to maximize resources and leverage policy and technical support for WFP’s work, in particular on the triple nexus and in L2/L3 emergencies; Ensure partner visibility and that partner conditions are met.
4. Support the design and negotiation of large/complex partnership proposals, joint strategies and/or MOUs in line with corporate norms, processes and external regulations.
5. Contribute to complex negotiations on strategic partnership agreements in line with WFP’s corporate norms, processes and external regulations, in order to reach advantageous outcomes for WFP, such as more flexibility and predictability in funding WFP programmes.
6. Contribute to complex negotiations on strategic partnership agreements in line with WFP’s corporate norms, processes and external regulations, in order to reach advantageous outcomes for WFP, such as more flexibility and predictability in funding WFP programmes.
7. Support corporate dialogue with partners, proactively highlight strategic opportunities and issues to senior management and present recommendations on best course of action to nurture trust and interest in the work of WFP.
8. Enable partnership growth by identifying opportunities to expand existing partnerships, deepen collaboration and joint advocacy on common priorities and scoping new partners, guided by assessments, analysis and due diligence, and ensure follow-up; Define and disseminate best practices in partnership development and collaboration and provide technical guidance to internal and external stakeholders in this regard.
9. In countries, where WFP has a presence, support WFP’s effective positioning vis-à-vis national governments and international institutions, based on solid socio-political understanding, to influence the policy agenda in support of the SDGs, Zero Hunger and WFP’s role therein.
10. In the context of the UN system and multilateral fora, develop partnerships with member states, civil society and intergovernmental organizations and engage in joint efforts to advocate for the SDGs and Zero Hunger on the global agenda, based on a good understanding of member states’ dynamics and interests. Establish external networks and team up with representatives of other UN agencies/stakeholders on opportunities for joint events (e.g. pledging conferences) that can advance WFP and wider interests and objectives that are aligned with realizing zero hunger.

Additional Responsibilities

1. Design and lead the implementation of a work plan for an assigned area that will enable WFP to identify, develop and strengthen quality partnerships in support of WFP’s strategic objectives.
2. Coordinate inputs from other WFP entities that contribute to inter-governmental/inter-agency work to ensure that WFP positions are properly explained and taken into account in decision-making.
3. Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.
4. Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance, and support risk management.
5. Other as required.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Utilizes understanding of WFP’s Strategic Objectives to communicate linkages to team objectives and work.
• Be a force for positive change: Proactively identifies and develops new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area.
• Make the mission inspiring to our team: Identifies opportunities to further align individual contributions with WFP’s mission of making an impact on local communities.
• Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Helps colleagues to see the link between their individual tasks and the contributions of their unit’s goals to the broader context of WFP’s mission.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Is able to identify, support and encourage focused on-the-job learning opportunities to address gaps between current skillsets and needed future skillsets for WFP.
• Create an inclusive culture: Recognizes the contributions of teammates, and encourages contributions from culturally different team mates to recognise the value of diversity above and beyond just including it in programming for beneficiaries.
• Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Provides and solicits ongoing constructive feedback on strengths and development opportunities to help develop individual skills, whilst also helping others identify areas for improvement.
• Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Sets clear targets for self and others to focus team efforts in ambiguous situations (e.g., unprecedented issues and/or scenarios).

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Thinks beyond team’s conventional approaches to formulate creative methods for delivering food aid and assistance to beneficiaries.
• Focus on getting results: Maintains focus on achieving individual results in the face of obstacles such as volatile or fragile environments and/or organizational roadblocks.
• Make commitments and make good on commitments: Takes personal accountability for upholding and delivering upon team’s commitments and provides assurance to stakeholders.
• Be Decisive: Demonstrates ability to adjust to team’s plans and priorities to optimize outcomes in light of evolving directives, while also responding quickly in high-pressure environments, such as in emergency settings.

Partnership

1. Connect and share across WFP units: Demonstrates an understanding of when and how to tactfully engage other units in conversations on impact, timing, or planning.
2. Build strong external partnerships: Networks regularly with key external partners using formal and informal opportunities to understand each partner’s unique value proposition, and to build and strengthen relationships.
3. Be politically agile & adaptable: Demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations.
4. Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Demonstrates ability to articulate to internal and external audiences the value that individual contributions and immediate teams bring to partnerships.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level Relationship Management Demonstrates ability to formulate and maintain strong relationships and develop networks with appropriate stakeholders. Leads in implementing identified strategy to raise the profile of WFP, build relationships and further organisational aims. Communication Expertise Represents WFP in multilateral/inter-agency fora. Provides guidance to team members in facilitating open and informative oral and written communication between partners and influencers. Directs a team in the preparation of external communication materials. Information Analytics, Reporting and Management Demonstrates ability to conceptualise impactful means for reporting outcomes of multilateral/interagency dialogues to facilitate decision-making. Utilises partnership information and analysis to form insights which support fact based discussion for enhanced partner relationships, proactively identifying opportunities for improvement. Maintains, manages and analyses information in appropriate WFP systems. Sociopolitical Contextual Understanding Demonstrates deep understanding of the multilateral/interagency environment and the dynamics in which WFP operates which influences approach to working, policy development and decision making. NGO, UN and Other Partner Collaboration Guides interpretation of WFP’s partnering approach. Contributes to the determination of engagement strategies that inform WFP’s relationships with specific partners. Analyses and identifies new synergies with existing partners and explores new partnership opportunities.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has a good understanding of government and corporate strategies and priorities, public policy formulation and levels of influence.
• Has at least 5-year experience in managing a team, motivated team spirit and contributed to a gender-balanced, inclusive and sound working environment.
• Has gained experience in developing new and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Has evaluated expected ROI from new partnerships and created a network of relationships with multiple constituencies.
• Has developed long-term partner relationships and gained significant experience in expanding engagements across geographies and sectors.
• Has designed and managed all resource mobilization processes and resource strategies, negotiated contract terms and provided resourcing advice to seniors.
• Has led and promoted data-based decision making to enable internal stakeholders to make well informed decisions.
• Has created external messaging to function, geography and thematic interests of stakeholders.
• Has contributed to innovation of system improvements and partner intelligence platforms.
• Has utilized digital solutions to improve client services.
• Minimum eight or more years of relevant professional work experience in partnership roles.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered and only short-listed qualified candidates will receive an acknowledgement.
• Only open to citizens of Barbados or CARICOM Member States: Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Haiti, Montserrat, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent $ the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

17 April 2021

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Female 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.