Partnerships Officer, P4 based in Washington DC

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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 (WFP) is the largest humanitarian organization in the world. With headquarters in Rome, Italy, WFP has 20,000 staff worldwide. WFP is committed to delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. In 2020, WFP assisted 114 million people. The WFP Washington Office, located in Washington, DC, aims to maximize potential resources from the US Government and private sector. WFP Washington staff liaise with USG partners, including the US Agency for International Development (USAID), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the US Department of State, in processing bilateral grant contributions.

JOB PROFILE

Job holder operates across an assigned area and work independently, using technical knowledge and experience, to analyse data and identify solutions for partnerships activities. The job holder supports partnership opportunities with USA government entities.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

This P4 non-rotational Partnerships Officer position will be located in the WFP Washington Office (WAS) in Washington, DC, and report to the WAS Deputy Director.

JOB PURPOSE

Drive WFP’s effective positioning with public 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.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

As Team Leader, the Partnerships Officer (PO) will be to provide an advanced level of expertise on US funding policies, rules and regulations and be responsible for managing a team of Partnerships Officers in WFP Washington, providing support to WFP Country Offices (COs) and Regional Bureaus (RBs) as required, in order to assist them to effectively mobilize USA funding resources. S/He will lead, coordinate and support the processing of all awards and grants received from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) – from the call for the application submission stage to the end of the life of the grant.

The Team Leader will ensure effective and efficient award processing in compliance with USAID regulations and WFP policies.

The Team Leader will advise and assist in the design and oversight of USAID funded grants in line with USAID management policies, procedures, and practices. S/He will provide technical support and policy guidance CO and RB staff.

The Team Leader will be a critical member of WFP Washington management and will work across all program areas, including collaborating with WFP headquarters units, such as finance, shipping and programming, to ensure effective and efficient grant management processes.

Essential skills for consideration include management skills, attention to detail, strategic thinking, and a process and system mindset. A successful PO will be adept at overseeing and managing a grant program from inception to completion and have an innate ability to prioritize and synthesize information in an analytical and systematic manner.

Specific accountabilities include:
1. Design and lead the implementation of the WFP Washington Grants Management team workplan for a portfolio of activities that will enable WAS to identify, develop and strengthen quality partnerships with the US government entities and maximize efficient grants management process in support of WFP strategic objectives.

2. Supervise and manage a team to ensure the effective distribution of workload across team members, providing regular guidance and support on USG award-related issues ranging from negotiation, solicitation of contributions to donor stewardship and management of awards to maximize resources raised.

3. Lead and motivate a team of Partnerships Officers within the WFP Washington Grants Management Team to ensure timely, accurate and efficient processing of USG funding application submissions in line with applicable donor and internal policies.

4. Lead, with the team, complex negotiations relating to funding applications and proposals on behalf of Country Offices/Regional Bureaux with the relevant USG counterpart, guided by analysis, due diligence and careful follow up.

5. Provide technical advice and guidance and make recommendations to WFP Washington management to resolve challenging issues.

6. Ensure quality controls and effective workflows within the team, ensure funding applications and funding proposals have been reviewed as appropriate; provide technical follow-up when required.

7. Drive the positioning of WFP while building and maintaining effective partnerships with US government donor representatives in coordination with the WFP Washington Partnership Officers to promote a strong partnership.

8. Actively contribute to the WFP Washington’s Policy, Compliance and Reporting’s technical work on policies, processes, and regulations in an effort to strengthen guidance and training materials to Country Offices/Regional Bureaux, with a view towards stronger funding application submissions to the USG.

9. Engage with other WFP functional units, RBs and COs to provide regular updates to the donor and support regular partner engagement.

10. Proactively contribute to ideas and highlight efficient management of fundraising opportunities from new and traditional USG funding agencies.

11. As required, prepare and provide inputs for briefing documents for senior level management meetings with donors and other stakeholders

12. Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work to ensure equal participation of women and men.

13. Other duties as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
A Bachelor’s 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. An advanced degree in the above field preferred.

Language:
International Professional: 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.

National Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language and the duty station’s language, if different.

Experience:
Minimum eight or more years of relevant professional work experience in partnership roles.

Advanced level of expertise with USAID funding policies, regulations and processes.

Has experience in conducting negotiations for contributions and partnership agreements in line with internal established policies and procedures and external regulations.

Has designed and managed resource mobilization processes and strategies, negotiated contract terms and provided resourcing advice to senior management.

Has used understanding of partner’s focus areas and knowledge of internal capabilities to create a Unique Value Proposition for the partners.

Strong writing and editing skills, analysis and ability to present information in clear written and oral formats.

Ability to work well under pressure, negotiate diplomatically, ability to multitask and work independently and collaboratively to meet applicable deadlines

Excellent people skills at all levels, and ability to work well in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary work environment.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially with Excel and MS Word

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

At least 5 years’ experience managing a team, motivated team spirit and contributed to a gender-balanced, inclusive and sound working environment.

Essential skills for consideration include attention to detail, strategic thinking, and a process and system mindset. The successful candidate will be adept at leading and managing a grant program from inception to completion and have an innate ability to prioritize and synthesize information in an analytical and systematic manner.

Has motivated team spirit and contributed to a gender-balanced, inclusive and sound working environment.

Has developed long-term partner relationships and gained significant experience in expanding engagements across partners.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position is however classified as “non-rotational” which means the incumbent shall not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as rotational.

The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit icsc.un.org

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Deadline to receive applications is Sunday, 12 September 2021 (11.59 PM CET).

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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.