Strategic Partnerships Officer, Head of Contracting and Negotiations P4 – Rome, Italy

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees. We encourage qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

Are you an experienced Partnerships Officer interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organisation investing in its people?

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you!!! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications must be submitted by Sunday, August 20th 2023 (11:59 PM CET).

WHO WE ARE

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, operating in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org/ and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

WHY JOIN US?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of trainings, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer attractive compensation package (please refer to Terms and Conditions section).

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The World Food Programme‘s Strategic Partnerships Division supports fostering partnerships with national governments and development actors – including International Financial Institutions – to strategically position WFP within the development sphere and mobilize new resources to achieve zero hunger and advance other related development priorities.

THE ROLE

WFP’s expansion of the strategic engagement with National Government and International Financial Institutions (IFI) is part of a broader corporate effort to diversify partnerships and sources of funding, particularly around the Changing Lives agenda. This corporate effort has resulted in a record number and value of agreements with national governments and IFIs.

Since 2019, the value of agreements signed with National Governments (with IFIs as source donors) has increased twenty-five fold from USD 22 million (2019) to USD one billion (2022). Corporate support and guidance to WFP Country Offices through the negotiation and contracting of these agreements ensures consistency in approach and execution.

The Strategic Partnerships Officer will lead the Contracting and Negotiations team, ensuring support to Country Offices, Regional Bureau and other WFP Divisions for engagement with contracts sourced from International Financial Institutions. The position demands advice is given in respect of WFP Rules and Regulations, Financial Management and Oversight policies, and other corporate assurance structures.

The Strategic Partnership Officer will report to the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships. Support may include extended and shorter-term field missions, country level project preparation, and other types of mission as requested by the Senior Director.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Lead the Contracting and Negotiations team in managing engagements sourced from IFIs, ensuring effective support to Country Offices, Regional Bureau, and other WFP Divisions
• Lead the negotiation of large and/or complex partnership proposals, MOUs or contracts with National Governments and/or IFIs in line with WFP Rules and Regulations;
• Providing the stewardship of a growing portfolio of resources, providing oversight of the overall financial management and reporting requirements;
• Liaising with IFI counterparts to ensure the successful and timely finalization of agreements;
• Review and analyze contract terms and conditions, ensuring alignment with WFP's strategic objectives, risk management guidelines, and compliance requirements
• Providing innovations to address bottlenecks to advance negotiations and propose solutions in terms of systems and processes, including on contracting with IFIs.
• Facilitate effective communication and coordination between Country Offices, Regional Bureau, and other relevant stakeholders in the negotiation and implementation of contracts with IFIs
• Provide transactional level support to Country Offices in grant management and financial management, including grant registration, reviewing budget proposals, monitoring expenditure, and ensuring financial compliance with donor obligations
• Develop and maintain a system for tracking and analyzing data related to IFI sourced contracts,
• Undertake any other duties as requested by the Senior Director in line with the Terms of Reference and purposes of the Strategic Partnerships Division

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Business Administration, 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:

• At least 8 years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience, including specialized knowledge and experience in strategic partnerships and resource mobilization processes, particularly in engaging with IFIs and National Governments. Knowledge of funding mechanisms, grant management, and resource diversification strategies.
• Experience managing complex negotiations and contract agreements with National Governments and IFIs. This includes understanding legal frameworks, contract terms and conditions, and compliance requirements.

Language:

• Proficiency in writing and verbal communication in English is required. Intermediate level (B) in French is an asset.
• Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (A WFP’s working language).

Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective relationships with IFI counterparts, National Governments, WFP Country Offices, Regional Bureaus, and other stakeholders. Ability to facilitate communication and coordination among various stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills to review and analyse contract terms, propose innovative solutions, and address bottlenecks in negotiations. Ability to identify and resolve issues related to systems, processes, and procedures.
• Ability to oversee a growing portfolio of resources, ensuring effective financial management and reporting requirements. Experience in project preparation, implementation, and monitoring.
• Proficiency in financial management principles, budgeting, reporting, and stewardship of resources. Ability to analyse financial data and ensure compliance with donor obligations and WFP's financial management policies.
• Understanding of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization processes, particularly in engaging with IFIs and National Governments. Knowledge of funding mechanisms, grant management, and resource diversification strategies.

MORE ABOUT YOU

• Proven experience working with and/or within government and International Financial Institutions
• Proven understanding of Member State funding/financing architecture, IFIs within the broader financing structure, and WFP policies and priorities.
• Experience working at the country level in a humanitarian/development operations
• Strategic vision, analytical skills, policy design skills, negotiating capabilities, and diplomatic acumen.
• Ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a sensitive and challenging environment and liaise with a wide range of people at all levels.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Strong organization and time management skills with an ability to plan, anticipate and manage requirements for both the team and for one’s own work effectively.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Leads by Example with Integrity	Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments	Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork	Applies Strategic Thinking	Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships
Lives the WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others	Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change	Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth	Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things	Builds and nurtures external partnerships and collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is an International Professional position and is open to all nationalities.

Mobility is and continues to be, a core contractual requirement in WFP. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed term as well as a rotational contract with a probationary period of one year.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org) including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.

The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy to take up this assignment.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable)
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

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