EU Partnership and Compliance Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates globally, with a mission centered around the core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. WFP has a significant presence in numerous countries, employing thousands of individuals dedicated to humanitarian efforts and development initiatives. The organization has been recognized for its impactful work, including being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202

• WFP invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, fostering a healthy and inclusive work environment. For more information, visit their website at https://www.wfp.org and follow them on social media for updates.

Job Overview:
The EU Partnership and Compliance Officer position is based in Brussels, Belgium, and reports to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director. The primary objective of this role is to support WFP's country and regional offices, as well as headquarters divisions, in mobilizing funds from the European Union (EU). This involves establishing and nurturing partnerships with various EU institutions and providing technical support during the negotiation, formulation, management, reporting, and verification of EU contracts. The officer will play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with complex contractual conditions and requirements, thereby enabling WFP to secure advantageous contribution agreements. The position requires in-depth knowledge of EU policies and regulatory frameworks, as well as specific EU-UN agreements. The officer will be responsible for leading negotiations, providing guidance, and maintaining effective relationships with EU representatives, ultimately contributing to WFP's fundraising efforts and compliance with EU regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The EU Partnership and Compliance Officer will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Providing specialist advice and support to WFP Country Offices, Regional Offices, and relevant units at Headquarters to enhance relations with the EU and increase fundraising opportunities from DG INTPA, DG MENA, and FPI.
• Leading negotiations for contributions agreements managed by European Commission services, ensuring alignment with WFP’s internal policies and the EC-UN Financial and Administrative Framework Agreement (FAFA).
• Guiding WFP offices in the negotiation, management, and reporting of contributions agreements with EU Delegations, ensuring compliance with internal regulations and the FAFA.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with EU representatives and representing WFP in donor meetings organized by EU institutions.
• Overseeing the preparation of briefing documents for senior management meetings with EU institutions and developing strategies to increase funding from various EU sources.
• Advising on EU legal matters and ensuring compliance of contribution agreements with the EC-UN FAFA and WFP’s internal rules.
• Coordinating WFP inputs for periodic meetings of the EU-UN FAFA Working Group and participating in inter-agency meetings related to EC contract templates and compliance issues.
• Acting as the main focal point for EU financial verifications and compliance matters, collaborating with WFP’s Risk Management Division.
• Leading a technical team responsible for managing EU contributions in WFP’s corporate platforms, ensuring compliance with contractual provisions. 1
• Providing training to WFP staff on EU contributions management and compliance issues.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree or a university degree with additional years of relevant experience, along with advanced training or coursework in disciplines such as Law, political science, international development, or a related field. The role requires a strong understanding of EU policies, legal frameworks, and compliance requirements, as well as proven experience in fundraising and negotiations. Candidates should demonstrate solid communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, along with a working knowledge of UN system policies and EU development policies.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree is preferred, although a university degree combined with additional relevant experience may be acceptable. Candidates should have advanced training or coursework in fields such as Law, political science, international development, or related disciplines that provide a strong foundation for understanding the complexities of EU partnerships and compliance.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in international development, donor aid programs, or related fields. A minimum of four years of experience dealing with EU institutions, policies, and legal frameworks is essential, particularly in the negotiation and management of EU contracts and financial verifications. Experience in fundraising, public relations, and managing teams is also highly desirable, as is familiarity with the UN system and its operational modalities.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is mandatory, with a working knowledge of a second official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, or Portuguese) being desirable. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication and negotiation with EU representatives and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an International Professional role and is open to candidates of all nationalities. It is a non-rotational position, meaning the incumbent will not be subject to regular reassignment unless the role is reclassified. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a one-year probationary period. WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlements, and various allowances. The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Brussels, Belgium, to take up this assignment. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.