Partnerships Consultant (Field Support)

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, color, 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.

Job Title: Partnerships Consultant (Field Support)

Type of Contract: International Consultant, Level II

Division: Public Partnership and Resourcing Division (PPR), Thematic Team

Duty Station (City, Country): Rome HQ, Italy, with up to 40% of travel

Duration: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The mission of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger (SDG 2). 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.

The Public Partnerships and Resourcing Division (PPR) supports organization-wide efforts to meet the resource needs at corporate and country levels through active engagement with governments and public sector institutions. Within PPR, the Thematic team (PPRT) has been created in 2021 in order to advance the Changing Lives Agenda through more systematic and strategic fundraising for thematic and development activities, which requires a different approach than fundraising for WFP’s humanitarian work.

The Strategic Plan (SP) 2022 – 2025 continues to prioritize WFP’s Saving Lives Agenda with an increased focus on its Changing Lives Agenda. The Strategic Plan Implementation (SPI) is being supported by five workstreams (WS). PPR has been tasked to take the lead in coordinating – on behalf of the Partnership Department – WS4: funding the full scope of the Strategic Plan, with an increased focus on Changing Lives through partnerships and advocacy. WS4 builds on the joint PA / PD Corporate Critical Initiative (CCI) "Adjusting country level programme design capacities to support funding the full scope of the new Strategic Plan 2022-2025", the Changing Lives Transformation Fund, and other initiatives.

Under the supervision of the Partnerships Officer in PPRT, the Partnership Field Support will support the enhancement of thematic fundraising capacities for selected Country Offices (COs). This will be done by setting processes and milestones, aligning responsibilities among teams, coordinating timely execution of deliverables, facilitating discussion and cooperation among different divisions, ensuring visibility among team and to management, and providing quantitative and qualitative support.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Support the selected COs in developing project value propositions to support the changing lives agenda, in close coordination with relevant PA and PD departments, as well as the Regional Bureaus (RBs).
2. Provide support on donor/partner mapping, engagement plans and infographics to present pre-determined content in a way that facilitates understanding and discussion of the various thematic areas.
3. Map stakeholders supporting the enhancement of fundraising capacities in the selected Country Offices.
4. Support on-going development and updates of COs and RBs engagement plans and thematic workplans which outline key milestones, deliverables, tasks, deadlines, and owners.
5. Facilitate regular coordination meetings between identified stakeholders to align on objectives, activities, timelines, and outputs. Be responsible for cross-fertilisation between countries.
6. Ensure coordination with the Changing Lives Transformation Fund supported projects in relevant countries.
7. Monitor progress and provide ongoing support to COs on concept notes formulation and proposals development.
8. Support the WS4 knowledge management process and learning by sharing best practices for future implementations and scale up of the fundraising approach.
9. Ensure ongoing open dialogue – through meetings and/or dedicated working groups- to align on and validate CO’s implementation updates and decisions.
10. Prepare and provide timely / regular updates on the efforts related to enhancing fundraising capabilities, for efficiency and effectiveness depending on purpose and audience.
11. Assist in coordination among teams to address roadblocks and conflicts, escalating when necessary.
12. Conduct data analysis for insights and to support decision making.
13. Contribute to internal communication and dissemination of progresses.
14. Additional support requests, as required.

DELIVERABLES:

1. COs' engagement plans and workplans with key milestones, deliverables, tasks, deadlines, and stakeholders.
2. When required by PPR management, a progress report describing the key status update and the degree of implementation of the future state per country office.
3. A final report presenting per country office i) the thematic areas supported; ii) the key pieces of documentation and deliverables; iii) the Concept notes/ proposals developed; iv) the related outcomes in terms of partnership and fundraising.
4. A summary of the key lessons learned and overall recommendations for replication and scale up of WS4 support, including suggestions for the formulation of new guidance to ensure sustainable results

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced University degree in International Development, Business Administration, Political Sciences or other related fields.

Experience:

Over 6 years of progressively responsible national and/or international experience in a business or international relations related position. Experience with WFP is an asset. At least 2 years of field (country) experience in partnership or policy and programme from a national perspective. Additional work experience desirable.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to develop new strategies and innovative projects.
• Good analytical abilities, both quantitative and qualitative: ability to perform advanced analysis in excel and produce high-quality written materials, including PowerPoint presentations as well as text documents.
• Excellent networking and communications skills to ensure participatory collaboration and buy-in from all staff involved across departments and including the field.
• Experience with optimization processes (e.g. optimization of strategic planning, sourcing, logistics, finance processes, performance management, etc.).
• Collaborative spirit to liaise with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures, with credibility and diplomacy.
• Time management skills with an ability to plan ahead, anticipate requirements, problems and obstacles, and an ability to juggle competing priorities successfully, and to work on tight deadlines.
• Self-motivated and able to work with a certain degree of autonomy and/ or in team.
• Fully committed and motivated to achieve the aims of the UN World Food Programme.
• Knowledge of UN system policies and functions of protection-mandated agencies. Flexibility to travel on short notice and in challenging and difficult environments.
• Team spirit and excellent interpersonal skills.

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in English language. Knowledge of Spanish, French or Arabic a strong asset.

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: 28 July 2023

Ref VA Number : 828244

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.

Apply For Job