Private Sector Development Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries and reaches more than 80 million people daily. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. WFP's mission is centered around integrity, collaboration, commitment, humanity, and inclusion, ensuring that effective humanitarian assistance reaches those in need. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, and continues to invest in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mobility opportunities. For more information, visit their website at https://www.wfp.org and follow them on social media for updates.

Job Overview:
The Private Sector Development Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the World Food Invest initiative, which aims to drive investment into frontier market food systems as a means to reduce humanitarian needs. This position requires expertise in impact investments, fund structuring, and engagement with development finance institutions (DFIs) and philanthropic foundations. The consultant will work closely with an external Investment Advisory Firm to ensure that the fund aligns with investor requirements and global best practices in impact investing. The consultant will also be responsible for developing a compelling investment case for DFIs and other stakeholders, contributing to the overall mission of WFP to combat hunger and improve nutrition in vulnerable communities. The role involves coordinating with various WFP stakeholders to establish an investable pipeline, developing the fund's investment strategy, and ensuring compliance with WFP’s financial policies and ethical investment standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Private Sector Development Consultant will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Pipeline Development and Investment Strategy: Coordinate the establishment of an investable pipeline in collaboration with key WFP stakeholders; assess the needs of identified pipeline companies to inform the fund’s investment strategy; further develop the fund’s investment strategy, investment thesis, and objectives.
• Fund Structuring and Design: Work with the Investment Advisory Firm to design the operational framework and governance structure for the Impact Fund, including investment policies and risk management strategies; design financial instruments balancing risk, return, and impact objectives; develop a roadmap for fund implementation.
• Impact Measurement and Management: Support the development of a robust impact framework to measure and report on the outcomes of funded projects; establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting systems for transparency and accountability.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure the fund complies with WFP’s financial policies and international ethical investment standards; draft a risk management approach to mitigate financial, operational, and reputational risks.
• Engagement with DFIs and Investors: Develop marketing materials to solicit investor interest; support stakeholder engagement with DFIs and institutional investors; facilitate negotiations on investment terms.
• Internal Alignment and Guidance: Provide input to refine corporate toolkit and guidance in Impact Investment; align with relevant WFP teams and strategies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; a Master’s degree is preferred. They should have at least 7 years of experience in impact investing, fund management, or blended finance, particularly in development or humanitarian sectors. Demonstrated expertise in structuring and operationalizing investment funds, along with experience working with development organizations, is highly desirable. Strong financial acumen, stakeholder management skills, and the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights are essential. Candidates should also have excellent communication and presentation skills, with a collaborative spirit to work effectively across diverse teams.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree is considered an advantage, as it may provide deeper insights into financial management and investment strategies relevant to the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in impact investing, fund management, or blended finance, with a strong focus on the development or humanitarian sectors. Candidates should have a proven track record of engaging with DFIs and institutional investors, as well as experience in structuring and operationalizing investment funds. Familiarity with development organizations and their operational frameworks is highly desirable.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another UN language is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication with diverse stakeholders and enhance the consultant's effectiveness in a multicultural environment.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is at the Consultant level 2 and is expected to last for 11 months. The duty station can be in Rome, Nairobi, or remote, providing flexibility for the consultant. WFP offers an attractive compensation package, which will be detailed in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. The organization is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Additionally, WFP does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.