Special Assistant

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
WFP has been delivering food assistance to the most remote and insecure regions of the
world for nearly 60 years - during which time WFP developed its supply chain capabilities
to support its goals of eradicating hunger and malnutrition. This expertise in
humanitarian supply chain is widely recognized, both internally and externally, as the
backbone of WFP food operations and it has led to the rise of WFP-provided common
services.
Under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG 17:16) and broader UN
reforms focused on shared services, such activities provide WFP with flagship
opportunities to represent WFP’s commitment to these global efforts.
In light of the growth of WFP’s portfolio of supply chain services to the humanitarian
community, including in health related emergencies, and against a backdrop of
unprecedented humanitarian emergencies, WFP Supply Chain Division is establishing an
augmented and structured Logistics Common Services function to fulfil the demands of
WFP’s service provision to partners.
The Logistics Common Services will seek to develop a stronger knowledge base and a
central repository for information from the respective units. This is to complement
ongoing divisional and corporate initiatives, including communication outreach. The
incumbent will manage a diverse portfolio and is expected to exercise a high degree of
independence and be a self-starter on new initiatives. The incumbent will manage the
day-to-day information management and also provide support and guidance to IM
colleagues in the units.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Working under the guidance and supervision of the Special Assistant to the Chief of
SCOL, the incumber will:
• Lead the development and implementation of a partnership strategy to enable WFP
to identify, develop and strengthen quality partnerships in support of the Logistics
Common Services Branch.
.
• Proactively create and maintain a partnerships portfolio and support a wide range of
aspects, including partner profiling, data/trends analysis and outreach activities, with
the aim of maximizing resources for Logistics Common Services, and to leverage
policy and technical support for WFP’s work. This includes working closely with both
the Public and Private Partnerships Divisions and Partnerships Offices in donor
engagement efforts. Ensure partner visibility and that partner conditions are met,
ensuring consistency with corporate messages.
• Draw up quality partnership proposals, strategic agreements, joint strategies and/or
MOU, internal and external reports, and grant extensions by engaging with other
WFP entities and external stakeholders, including the budgetary elements in line with
the corporate norms, processes and regulations; and ensure quality control of
content by engaging with relevant functional units.
• Facilitate corporate dialogue with external partners through preparation of quality
briefing materials; proactively highlight strategic opportunities and issues to senior
management and propose options for the best course of action to nurture trust and
interest in the work of WFP; Support the preparation of joint events that can advance
WFP Common Services interests and objectives.
• Gather and share partner intelligence (including forecasting), using key information
systems (e.g. Salesforce, WINGS, WFPGo).
• Support functional units in the Common Services on partnership strategies (including
the development of Partnership Action Plans); Extend support on
partnership/contribution management, in line with corporate norms, processes and
legal agreements, on quality proposal and report writing by engaging with other WFP
entities and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate partnership growth, by exploring opportunities to expand existing
partnerships and scope of new partners, guided by assessments, analysis and due
diligence; Present recommendations to senior management and ensure follow-up.
• Lead the preparation of project reports, including expenditures and shortfalls as per
requirements and specifications, in coordination with relevant units in the Common
Services Branch and the Supply Chain Division; monitor funds allocation and
spending rate; assess funding shortfalls; and ensure special requirements, including
earmarking, are properly communicated and implemented.
• Prepare briefing materials and reports to internal or external stakeholders concerning
Logistics Common Services activities and contribute to the development of key
messages and advocacy initiatives. Attend donor meetings with senior management
as needed.
• Use data to propose options to managers to expand support from existing partners
and to scope new partners, with the aim of enhancing the impact of WFP’s work and
diversifying the resource base.
• Solicit inputs from other WFP entities that contribute to inter-governmental/interagency
work to ensure that WFP positions are properly explained and taken into

account in decision making; conduct analysis and draft quality briefs in support of
outreach opportunities.
• Provide guidance and coaching to relevant focal points in the Common Services
Branch on partnerships to ensure appropriate development and enable high
performance.
• Be willing to deploy to field operations as necessary.
• Other duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
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 six or more years of relevant professional work experience in
partnership roles in an international context. Experience with
reporting/tracking systems highly desirable. Previous experience in
emergencies is important. Knowledge of supply chain is a plus.
Knowledge
& Skills: • Has a solid understanding of government and corporate strategies and
priorities and experience in developing multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Has explored new partnership opportunities, provided inputs into
developing solutions with prospective partners and explored new areas
to scale-up existing activities.
• Has designed and managed all resource mobilization processes and
resource strategies, negotiated contract terms and provided resourcing
advice to seniors.
• Has gained experience in using technology and digital tools for data
collection, analysis and shared data-based insights to add value to all
partnerships.
• Has past experience in creating external communications and briefing
materials.
• Has provided advanced technical support and identified opportunities
for service delivery excellence to strengthen partnerships.
• Has motivated team spirit and contributed to a gender-balanced,
inclusive and sound working environment.
Languages: Fluency in English and working knowledge of a second UN language is
desired.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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.