Partnership 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 work tirelessly to ensure effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people globally. WFP is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization has been recognized for its efforts, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, and continues to strive for a world with zero hunger, focusing on nutrition, resilience, and long-term development programs.

Job Overview:
The Partnership Manager position is a critical role within the Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) team at WFP, responsible for managing and optimizing the impact of WFP’s global partnerships with both international and national businesses. This role requires a senior officer with extensive experience in managing complex partnerships to ensure that WFP maximizes both financial and non-financial value from these collaborations. The Partnership Manager will lead the execution of the PSP global partnerships plan, adapting strategies based on the evolving landscape of partnerships. The position involves developing strategic account and stakeholder engagement plans, identifying key decision-makers, and cultivating relationships to support partnership growth and renewal. The role also includes leading negotiations, drafting contract amendments, and co-developing annual partnership plans with partners, ensuring alignment with WFP’s strategic objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Partnership Manager will be responsible for managing global corporate partnerships, acting as the focal point for the portfolio, and defining standards for partnership management. Key responsibilities include leading the execution of the global partnerships plan, developing strategic account and stakeholder engagement plans, and identifying and cultivating relationships with key decision-makers across partner organizations. The manager will lead renewal conversations and negotiations, draft and finalize contract amendments, and work with partners to co-develop annual partnership plans. Additionally, the role involves assessing partnership capacity, recommending staffing resources, and identifying innovative collaboration models. The manager will also lead strategic partner engagement opportunities at global forums, prepare executive briefing materials, and enhance WFP’s infrastructure to efficiently manage partnership information. The role requires providing technical guidance for resource mobilization and contributing to the PSP Partnerships Team by analyzing and optimizing the global partnership portfolio.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a University Degree in Business Administration, Management, Marketing, or International Relations. A minimum of 7 years of experience in fundraising, marketing/sales, and account management is essential, with knowledge of the humanitarian/development sector being a plus. Candidates should demonstrate experience in managing complex stakeholder ecosystems, engaging senior executives, and developing strategic account plans. Proven experience in stewarding high-value corporate partnerships and delivering sustained revenue growth is required, along with a strong background in commercial negotiations and partnership development.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position includes a University Degree in relevant fields such as Business Administration, Management, Marketing, or International Relations. This educational background is essential to equip the candidate with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage partnerships and engage with stakeholders at various levels.

Experience:
The position requires at least 7 years of relevant work experience in fundraising, marketing/sales, and account management. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing complex partnerships, engaging with senior executives, and delivering successful outcomes in high-value corporate partnerships. Experience in the humanitarian or development sector is advantageous, as it provides context for the work WFP undertakes.

Languages:
A strong command of spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) would be considered a plus, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role based in Rome, Italy, under a Regular Consultant contract type with a duration of 11 months. The role involves working Monday to Friday and requires a commitment to WFP's mission and values. The organization emphasizes a highly inclusive and multicultural working environment, investing in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs. Compensation details are available in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement.