Partnerships Officer P4 – Juba, South Sudan

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The WFP South Sudan Country Office operates within a complex context marked by high levels of humanitarian needs driven by conflict, climate and economic shocks compounded by development and infrastructure deficits. The partnerships team is tasked with building and fostering relationships with a broad network of resource partners, including working closely with member state missions, actively seeking new sources of support and partnerships to address hunger, malnutrition and support the country’s journey towards zero hunger.

JOB PURPOSE

Partnership Officers at the P4 level have the specialized knowledge and experience required to analyze and advise on complex partnership activities. They identify and pursue strategic opportunities with a host of public, private sector, and external entities. These can include governments, UN agencies, intergovernmental institutions and their member states, international financial institutions, individuals, corporations, foundations, and NGOs. The position reports to the Country Director and will lead a team of 4 staff handling Partnerships and Reports.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

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. 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.
3. 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.
4. Lead and motivate a team of Partnerships Officers, providing coaching, training and guidance to ensure appropriate development and enable high performance.
5. Promote the use of key information systems (e.g. Salesforce, WINGS, WFPGo) amongst the team to facilitate sharing of quality donor intelligence (incl. forecasting), and assess results.
6. 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.
7. Support the design and negotiation of large/complex partnership proposals, joint strategies, and/or MOUs in line with corporate norms, processes and external regulations.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Coordinate inputs from other WFP entities that contribute to inter-governmental/inter-agency work to ensure that WFP positions are properly explained and considered in decision-making.
14. Other as required.

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:

• Minimum 8 years of progressive and relevant professional work experience in partnership roles.
• Experience in managing medium-sized teams in emergency context; as well as designing and implementing resource mobilization strategies.
• Strategic acumen to identify and pursue funding opportunities to resource Country Strategic Plan with a medium to long-term outlook including with non-traditional donors such as IFI and private sector.
• Experience in identifying and securing resourcing for development-oriented programmes, including drafting funding proposals, negotiating agreement terms, and providing advice to senior management related engagements.

Language:

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

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Ability to utilize understanding of partners’ priorities and knowledge of WFP strategic priorities to build a Unique Value Proposition for positioning WFP with partners.
• A good understanding of government and corporate strategies and priorities; and experience in developing and leading multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Experience in supporting grant management processes including liaising across functions to ensure organizational compliance with commitments to partners as per contribution agreements. Understanding of donor regulations to ensure WFP compliance.
• Has a good understanding of government and corporate strategies and priorities, public policy formulation and levels of influence.
• Has at least 5 years of 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 contributed to innovation of system improvements and partner intelligence platforms.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• This is an International Professional position and candidates must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
• 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.
• Please note that this position is based in Juba, South Sudan, a non-family duty station, and that should you be selected for the position, you would be expected to relocate.

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 wfprecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified