WFP recruits a Private Sector Partnerships Consultant.
- Private Sector Partnership Consultant
- Grade: International Junior Consultancy
- Unit: Partnerships Unit
- Division/Country Office: Regional Bureau for Western Africa
- Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal, West Africa
- Duration of assignment: Six (6) months
Context and background
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. 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.
This position is with WFP’s Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa, based in Dakar, Senegal. The Regional Bureau provides policy guidance, oversight and technical assistance to 19 Country Offices in the region.
The job holder drives WFP’s effective positioning with partners to attract policy support, resources, technical assistance and innovative solutions to advance the work of WFP in achieving the SDGs and Zero Hunger together with its partners. The position reports to the Regional Private Sector Partnerships Officer and operates across the assigned area as described below, using technical knowledge and experiences. In particular, this position provides policy guidance as well as operational and technical support to the 19 Country Offices in the region while also leading the partnership portfolio with the regional partners. These private sector partners can individuals, corporations, foundations and NGOs.
Why work with us?
This position is based in our Regional Bureau for West Africa in Dakar (RBD), Senegal. This Regional Bureau covers a broad and very diverse set of countries in West and Central Africa.
RBD provides strategic guidance, policy/technical support and direction to WFP operations and activities in 19 countries in the region which is an amazing mix of cultures, people, and diversity.
Duties and responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Regional Private Sector Partnerships Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
- Work with relevant teams in the regional bureau to create and shape a private sector strategy for West Africa
- Support the development of private sector partnership concepts in coordination with WFP technical units and field operations for grant applications.
- Support business development opportunities and help to manage relationships with existing and new Private sector investors for WFP in West Africa
- Ensure strategic oversight, programme coherence and governance of private sector partnerships
- Drive the development of internal and external communications strategy to ensure optimal private sector partnership visibility
- Serve as focal point for technical units and proactively support their effective and successful engagement with the private sector, including by identifying and engaging new private sector prospects
- Establish and strengthen critical relationships with private sector and other key partners, who are active in the space of private sector development, particularly in areas of interest for WFP.
- Represent WFP at key external partnership/ private sector events to position WFP as a partner of choice
- Proactively identify promising opportunities for public-private partnerships and initiate and structure grant as well as collaborative relationships.
- Support on special projects and undertake additional responsibilities as needed.
Qualifications and experience
Education
Advanced University degree in Development Studies, International Relations or any other relevant field
Experience
One year or more years of postgraduate professional experience in a relevant field of work with background and interest in working in partnerships development, including private sector.
Knowledge and skills
- Knowledge and awareness of private sector funding issues, strategies and institutions across various program areas and geographies in West Africa
- Excellent oral, facilitation, and written communication skills, able to effectively synthesize information to reach diverse audiences and build consensus.
- Ability to work at fast pace and under tight deadlines
- Ability to think creatively, proactively, strategically, and problem-solve with flexibility and adaptability
- Ability to manage and coordinate projects involving a broad range of stakeholders
- Ability to be self-guided and work effectively and comfortably with sensitivity across barriers such as language, culture and distance.
- High capacity for organization and coordination
- Excellent drafting skills
- Sound interpersonal skills
- Strong negotiation and advocacy skills
- Good computer skills in MS Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint
Languages
- Fluency in French and proficiency in English written and oral
- Intermediate knowledge of any other official UN language is a plus.
Female applicants, and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate based on race, sex, colour, ethnic group, age, sexual orientation, other affiliation, or 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.
Deadline for application: 10 January 2022.