Change Management and Business Innovation - Innovative Finance Manager

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, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of alleviating hunger and improving nutrition. WFP's vision for its workforce is one of diversity and inclusion, ensuring that teams are composed of skilled individuals selected on merit and working in a healthy environment that embodies the organization's core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. 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 mentorship programs, as well as opportunities for internal mobility across its global offices.

Job Overview:
The position of Innovative Finance Manager within the Change Management and Business Innovation Unit (BIU) at WFP is crucial for addressing the increasing demands placed on the organization due to unprecedented levels of emergencies. The BIU, established in 2015, serves as the advisory arm of WFP, focusing on managing change and promoting innovation. This role involves designing and implementing innovative financing instruments that can unlock new funding flows, alternative to traditional Official Development Assistance (ODA), for WFP's partners. The successful candidate will be responsible for executing business innovation projects in innovative finance, contributing to the development of financing strategies, and engaging with various stakeholders to co-develop and validate financing structures. This position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to delivering high-quality results that align with WFP's strategic priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Innovative Finance Manager will be responsible for the execution of business innovation projects in innovative finance, which includes a variety of tasks such as:

• Supporting the design and structuring of innovative financing mechanisms aligned with partners’ strategic priorities.
• Conducting landscape reviews of existing and emerging financing models across the UN system and development finance ecosystem.
• Developing investment theses, business cases, and financial models for new instruments.
• Engaging with donors, investors, and implementing partners to co-develop and validate financing structures.
• Supporting the operationalization of selected mechanisms, including legal, governance, and risk frameworks.
• Providing strategic advisory support to senior leadership on financing innovation.
• Preparing high-quality reports, presentations, and briefing materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Contributing to internal capacity-building efforts on innovative finance and supporting knowledge management reviews and best practices sharing.
• Guiding and supervising junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with complex analysis and queries. 1
• Providing additional project support based on pipeline and new projects contracted during the contract period as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong educational background and relevant experience in the field of innovative finance. The ideal candidate should have demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing innovative financing instruments such as blended finance mechanisms, results-based financing, social impact bonds, and impact investment funds. Strong financial modeling and structuring capabilities are essential, along with the ability to develop investment theses, business cases, and risk-return frameworks for such instruments. Candidates should also have good analytical abilities, both quantitative and qualitative, and be able to produce high-quality written materials, including presentations and reports. Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills are necessary, as well as a collaborative spirit to work effectively with diverse teams and partners.

Educational Background:
A degree in finance, economics, business administration, public policy, or a related field is preferred for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of innovative finance and the development finance ecosystem.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of relevant work experience in innovative finance, impact investing, development finance, investment banking, or related fields. Experience in a top-tier management consulting firm or investment bank is highly desirable, as is experience working with multilateral organizations, development banks, or philanthropic investors.

Languages:
A high proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of a second UN language is considered a plus and may enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This position is a consultancy role with a duration of 6 months, and it can be based in Rome, Italy, or performed remotely. WFP supports visa applications for international candidates. The organization emphasizes its commitment 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, and all employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications.