Business Development Specialist

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.

Job Title: Business Development Specialist

Division: PPF – Private Partnerships and Fundraising Division

Duty Station: Rome HQ

Type of Contract: full-time regular Consultant

Duration: 11 months

Deadline for applications: 04.11.2022

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency working to create a world with zero hunger. WFP and its partners believe that no child should go to bed hungry and that individual and collective wellbeing can only be achieved if all children, women and men get the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, dignified lives. Each year, WFP assists 86.7 million people in 83 countries. Every day, some 5,600 WFP-chartered trucks are on the road, 92 planes are in the air and 20 ships are at sea. These numbers speak to WFP’s unparalleled reputation as an emergency responder, one that is often the first on the scene in the most difficult environments. WFP also works with partners to strengthen the resilience of communities most vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition through long-term development programmes aimed at boosting food security, local economies, education, employment and gender equality. While hunger and malnutrition are the world’s largest solvable issues, the needs are still immense and growing. 821 million people in the world suffer from chronic hunger.

To get to a world with Zero Hunger faster, WFP is investing in and growing private sector fundraising and partnerships to reach more people. The Private Partnerships and Fundraising Division (PPF) is responsible for engaging the private sector (corporations, individuals, foundations) through high-impact partnerships in support of WFP's strategic priorities, and through individual giving to build and retain support from the general public worldwide. PPF strives to mobilize funding, technical assistance, innovative solutions and visibility and awareness to help WFP fulfil its mission and operations. PPF also provides guidance to WFP Regional Bureaux (RB), Country Offices (COs) and HQ Functional Units on partnership development, best practices, compliance and rules and regulations for engaging with the private sector.

Joining PPF is an exciting opportunity for experienced professionals to co-develop and implement our new private partnerships and fundraising strategy.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The focus of Business Development Specialist is to secure new private sector partnerships and as needed provide support to the RBs and COs Business Development strategic planning and implementation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Secure new global $1m+, multiyear, Corporate and Corporate Foundation partnerships, building compelling propositions that add value to WFP’s strategic needs and aligns with external interests. Examples of the key responsibilities, but not exhaustive, include:

• • • Devise a Business Development strategy, prospect scoping and internal/external needs.
    • Initiate business development outreach, proactively, identifying and prospecting high (financial) value fundraising partnerships with the corporate sector. Work collaboratively with regional offices to selectively identify, research and screen target corporates, then co-develop successful approaches to a select few for potential new partners including relationship and network mapping.
    • Build relationships with Technical Unit colleagues to coordinate global business development support needs
    • Working with internal stakeholders to secure six and seven figure dollar partnerships, that add genuine value to WFP and partner organizations.
    • Work collaboratively with internal programme focal points and experts to identify and create compelling materials and value propositions, bespoke for the private sector audience. To disseminate business development materials with RBs to support their business development planning
    • Bring best practices to RBs and the Business Development team, proactively making suggestions to improve processes
    • Develop/contribute to effective pitches to sell WFP as a partner of choice: collaborate with Global Services support team to develop and customize 'pitch' materials for successful approaches as well as materials to support senior-level meetings with prospects and potential partners.
    • Negotiation preparation: lead or participate in negotiations, secure contracts and agree on partner expectations. When appropriate support preparations for negotiations with new partners.
    • Monitor and report upon progress against KPIs.
    • Ensure smooth partnership handover of secured relationships from new business to partnership management team, depending on area of responsibility.
    • Support RBs and WFP colleagues to utilise external awareness events to drive business development/fundraising opportunities: support global events (such as conferences, forums, panels and roundtables) convening multinational corporates to position WFP as a 'go to' organization for partnership; provide inputs for Private Sector Partnerships leadership team to grow WFP's presence at events and transform WFP into "go to" brand for new fundraising partners.
    • Keep supervisors abreast of key private sector trends and NGO partnerships related to WFP's work.
    • As needed support the Global Business Development Team

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

The Business Development Specialist will be responsible for securing new global $1m+ multiyear private sector partnerships, driving and executing the global prospecting strategy. Deliverables for this post include:

• Establishing regular and effective communication channels with the BD Team, Technical Units, Partnership Lab, RBs and CO’s
• Securing new $1m+, multiyear, Corporate and Corporate Foundation Partnerships, taking a lead role in the end-to- end of business development planning, prospecting and implementation
• Complete landscape mapping, creating priority sectors and prospects per market, with complimentary business development strategies to maximize opportunities in local markets
• Having a portfolio on prospects to keep an active pipeline
• Secure new 6-7 figure partnerships
• Building new and improving existing processes and Business Development materials to facilitate prospecting in our international markets
• Create compelling materials to build partnerships that add value to WFP
• Keep accurate and update report, monitor progress against KPIs and deliver to any set targets for this post

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QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education	University degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Economics, Marketing, Communications or another relevant field. Advanced University degree is a plus.
Work history	A minimum of six (5) years' demonstrated experience in a partnership development, business development, marketing or business-to-business sales roles, including experience of creating $1m+large-scale fundraising partnerships. Experience of prospecting new high value fundraising partners in an international organisation with a development/humanitarian mission, ideally with UN experience is desirable. Experience prospecting new clients for a private sector company and/or agency preferred. Extensive sales and marketing experience-experienced in research, planning, preparing and landing pitches and negotiating with potential partners/clients – proven track record of successful negotiations with global enterprises. Demonstrated track record of securing 6 and 7 figure and multi-year partnerships from prospect identification and research to agreement in the non-profit or business sectors. Experience of building a new pipeline with a positive attitude towards engaging new audiences. Network of corporate contacts in key markets which will be used to support establishment of prospecting pipeline, would be an asset. Previous experience of building new propositions or 'products' for the private sector that reflect current trends and interests.
Technical skills	Essential computer skills in Microsoft Office applications: proficiency in Word, PowerPoint and Excel Communication abilities are essential Work experience within the United Nations system or a similar international organization a significant advantage
Soft skills	People-oriented. Uses tact and courtesy to give and receive information with a variety of individuals Ability to think creatively and to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment and international organization Motivated team spirit and contributed to a gender-balanced, inclusive and sound working environment Highly adaptable to change and comfortable dealing with ambiguity, stress and competing demands with grace and humor Highly organized with exceptional planning skills Ability to handle multiple tasks within deadlines and deliver on commitments Take initiative to solve problems and seek solutions Knowledge of humanitarian/development sector a plus.
Languages	Excellent command of spoken and written English. Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language would be a plus.

Terms and Conditions

Short-listed candidates can be subject to written assessment.

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by role’s responsibilities and deliverables. This consultancy assignment is renewable upon funding.

Visit the website for detailed information on working with WFP: http://www.wfp.org – Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about our operations.

Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.

WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the Organisation. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection & recruitment process, and for work-related needs upon joining the Programme.

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. WFP has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority or discrimination. 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.

We greatly appreciate your interest in WFP and joining our mission to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030

Saving Lives, Changing Lives!

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