Partnerships Officer- Head of External Relations Unit (International Consultant) At World Food Programme

WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

Job Title: Partnerships Officer- Head of External Relations Unit (International Consultant)

Type of contract: International Regular Consultancy

Duration: 11 months

Duty Station: Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

Deadline of Application: 13 April 2023

BACKGROUNG AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, operating in 123 countries delivering food assistance, partnering with governments and providing common services that allow the entire humanitarian community to save lives in emergencies and build the resilience of food insecure people and communities.

In strong partnership with the Government of Kyrgyz Republic, WFP Country Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 (CSP) aims to enhnace social protection and human capitals, emergency preparedness and response, disaster risk management and climate change adaptation as well as promote healthy and nutritious diets in schools to address food security and nutrition issues in the country. The CSP activities are aligned with the country’s priorities described in the National Development Programme for 2022 – 2026 and derived from United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2023 – 2027 (UNSDCF).

The CSP planned budget is USD91 million for 5 years and WFP needs to ensure sufficient funds for the CSP implementation by diversifying its donor portfolio. WFP is also expanding development-oriented approach by exploring joint fund-raising with the Government, UN agencies, International Financial Institutions and the private sector.

The CSP focuses on the key priorities of the Government with overarching social proteciton lens, mainstreams Country Capacity Strengthening at all levels and enhances joint assessments, programmes and monitoring with the Government, UN Country Team and development partners.

WFP is amplifying SDGs advocacy and promoitng CSP priorities in close coordination with UN Country Team and development partners. WFP also meets timely and high-quality internal and external reporting requirements and ensures quality, consistent and standardized information management.

Under the direct supervision of the Country Director, the staff member is expected to lead the fund-raising team and the partnership team of the WFP Kyrgyz Republic by ensuring sufficient fund-raising and timely reporting, promoting effective advocacy and communications, and fostering partnerships with the Government, development partners and relevant stakeholders.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Explore funding opportunities, based on the CSP strategic priorities and funding needs; gather donor intelligence and develop donor partnerships.
2. Draft/consolidate funding proposals to be submitted to donors, in close coordination with relevant units; Lead other fund-raising activities by meeting donor requests, clarifyfing their queries and providing requested information in a timely manner.
3. Establish good rapports with donors, government counterparts, UN agencies and development partners to identify fund-raising and partnership opportunities for the CSP implementation.
4. Actively coordinate on fund-raising, partnership and communication/reporting matters with WFP colleagues in relevant units, regional bureau, headquarters and donor capitals and make recommendations to the Country Director as needed.
5. Position WFP as a partner of choice of different government counterparts and establish strategic partnerships through implementing joint assessments, programming and monitoring.
6. Analyze challenges and opportunities in the country to pursue national SDG targets and explore opportunities for WFP programmes to be integrated into the national policies and systems in the long-term.
7. Support coordination among WFP, UN agencies and development partners on UNSDCF, CSP and other strategic/policy issue and suggest solutions through consensus-building approach.
8. Participate in relevant coordination meetngs and events as needed and advocate WFP’s roles in food security, nutrition, social protection, emergency response, climate change, education, amongst other relevant sectors.
9. Ensure effective external communication to the mass media, social media and the public through development and implementation of WFP communication strategies.
10. Ensure internal and external reporting requirements with high quality and in a timely manner.
11. Manage staff, provide coaching, training and guidance to ensure appropriate development and enable high performance.
12. Support any other task related to external relations, requested by the Country Director.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

– The amount of contributions increased and the donor portfolio diversified;

– Partnerships with the Government expanded and WFP programmes integrated into national policies and systems;

– Coordination with UNCT and development partners facilitated and WFP’s contributions to UNSDCF and country’s development plans promoted;

– Effective external communication ensured and quality/timely reporting needs met;

– Other key tasks delivered, as requested by the Country Director.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Advanced University degree (Master’s degree) in Political Science, Economics, International Development, International Relations, Law, Marketing, Communications or other relevant field or First University degree with additional 2 years of related work experience

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Minimum 5 years of working experience in the area of partnerships, donor relations, development, humanitarian assistance or related fields.

Knowledge and skills:

Has a good understanding of fund-raising in the development context. Has gained experience in developing partnerships with and coordination among the Government, UN agencies, IFIs and other stakeholders.

LANGUAGE

Fluency (level C) in English language is mandatory. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of Russian or other official UN languages is an advantage.

All WFP Employees are expected to demonstrate the competencies and standards of behaviour aligned with our core values and defined in the WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK, namely:

Leading by example with integrity,

Driving results and delivering on commitments,

Fostering inclusive and collaborative teamwork,

Applying strategic thinking,

Building and maintaining sustainable partnerships.