Background And Purpose Of The Assignment
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetime. 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.
Recognizing the risks of its dependency on a small number of resource partners and reliance on traditional fundraising models, WFP aims to diversify its funding while protecting and enhancing its current partnerships and reputation as a partner of choice. Tapping into the wider global financing landscape with new and different partnering modalities requires a concerted cross-functional approach with a strong emphasis on the field and recognition of the importance of strategic and targeted communications in underpinning the process.
A new Corporate Critical Initiative (CCI) supports Regional Bureaus and Country Offices (COs) efforts to diversify funding by increasing and supplementing capacities in the field for identifying new and different partnerships and pursuing new partners and types of partnership. Direct support needs to be provided to COs for the development of well-informed resourcing plans and the definition of high-quality value propositions for partner engagement.
This role will support RBN’s partnership team to expand WFP’s portfolio with a specific focus on humanitarian, social protection, climate resilience and food systems work. The consultant will be responsible for proactively scoping funding opportunities (Government partnerships, multilateral funds, IFIs and private sector, etc.) through different tools and supporting WFP country offices in ongoing and new partnerships
The incumbent will work in close coordination with Country Offices, HQ and other relevant teams and units as needed.
Accountabilities/Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Development Consultant, the incumbent will:
Support the development of an approach for RB’s main diversification areas, outlining major opportunities and pathways within the region towards diversification. Scope, funding opportunities and channels of funding, and connect and coordinate with the innovation and private sector partnership teams to expand opportunities to private sector and innovative finance Contribute to HQ-led cross-fertilization between RBs by sharing best practices, lessons learned, and areas for improvement. Actively support HQ-led Knowledge Management and Learning (KM&L) activities by using existing knowledge tools, supporting the development and dissemination of new knowledge products, participating in global KM&L initiatives, and ensuring alignment with HQ strategies. Contribute to the drafting of quality proposals and concept notes, including by coordinating and soliciting inputs from other functional entities, RBs and COs on WFP’s programmatic offering. Support the management of projects in the RB, with a specific focus on supporting COs with the management of new partnerships (agreements, reporting etc.). Contribute to the preparation of strategic agreements, joint strategies and MOUs. Contribute to quarterly progress reports on the implementation of the CCI. Other needs as required.
Deliverables
5 (five) concept notes and proposals formulated for COs, with support provided for related negotiations with partners to advance the funding diversification effort. A paper outlining major diversification opportunities within the region and pathways to move towards diversification, including a mapping of existing and potential/new partnership opportunities in the region. Contribution to a HQ-led toolkit for funding diversification, including templates and guidance the following KM&L activities.
Qualifications & Experience Required
Education: University Degree in Business administration, Social Sciences, Humanities, Food Security or a related area with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.
Experience
- At least three years’ experience in an area related to humanitarian and development resourcing and project management, preferably in the East Africa region. Knowledge and understanding of the United Nations is helpful.
- Technical skills & knowledge of project management;
- Experience in proposal development and programme design;
- Monitoring and reporting knowledge;
- Experience with private sector / Innovations partnerships;
- Humanitarian & Development experience in Eastern Africa;
Knowledge & Skills
Working/applied knowledge in the area of Food Security and Development Proactive attitude toward learning; Sophisticated diplomacy skills and ability to work independently Good public speaking, writing and presentation skills Excellent computer skills especially word, excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint Fully committed and motivated to achieve the aims of the UN World Food Programme
Languages: Fluency in oral and written English mandatory.
