Partnerships Officer (Private Sector & Government/IFI Relations) NOA

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 extreme weather shocks. WFP operates globally, with a mission to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. WFP has a strong focus on creating a healthy and inclusive work environment, living by its core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP is also a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, which highlights its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts worldwide. The organization invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, providing opportunities for career advancement across its numerous country, regional, and global offices.

Job Overview:
The Partnerships Officer (Private Sector & Government/IFI Relations) is a crucial role within the WFP Kuwait Office, primarily responsible for managing day-to-day partnership activities and conducting research to support the organization's strategic objectives. The position involves engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including public and private sector entities, governments, UN agencies, intergovernmental institutions, and NGOs. The officer will facilitate the work of senior staff to effectively position WFP with these partners, aiming to attract policy support, resources, and innovative solutions that advance WFP's mission. The role emphasizes the importance of collaboration with member states to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Zero Hunger initiative, highlighting WFP's contributions to these global objectives. The Partnerships Officer will also be involved in developing partnership strategies, action plans, and proposals, ensuring that WFP's work is well-supported and aligned with its strategic priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Partnerships Officer include supporting the implementation of the work plan for private-sector partnerships, contributing to a portfolio of partnerships, conducting partner profiling and outreach activities, and utilizing data to present well-researched ideas to senior management. The officer will gather and present internal and external data to influence policy agendas and support the development of partnerships and joint events with member states and civil society. Additionally, the officer will contribute to the preparation of strategic agreements and joint strategies, monitor defined risks, and provide technical recommendations for preparedness actions. The role also involves direct support to the Head of Office in engaging with the Government of Kuwait and International Financial Institutions (IFIs), preparing briefing notes, and coordinating logistics for high-level meetings.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a demonstrated research background, with the ability to translate research and data analysis into actionable insights for partnership development. Proven experience in project and program management is essential, including work planning, budgeting, and cross-functional coordination. A strong track record in stakeholder engagement and relationship building across corporate, government, and civil society sectors is required. Experience in donor relations, including managing commitments and reporting, is also necessary. Candidates should have experience supporting senior management in engagements with government counterparts and IFIs, including preparation for high-level meetings.

Educational Background:
A first university degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Economics, International Relations, Law, Marketing, Communications, or a related field is required. Additional years of relevant work experience and/or training courses will be considered an asset.

Experience:
A minimum of one year of progressively responsible, relevant professional work experience is required. This experience should include work in the private sector, research, project/program management, stakeholder engagement, donor relations, and monitoring and evaluation.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is mandatory, with a proficiency level of C in both languages being required for effective communication and engagement with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is exclusively open to Kuwaiti nationals and is categorized as a National Officer (NOA level). The successful candidate must reside within commuting distance of the WFP Kuwait Office in Kuwait City or be willing to relocate at their own expense. The World Food Programme offers a competitive compensation package based on the contract type and the selected candidate's qualifications and experience. The selection process includes a structured approach with technical assessments, competency-based interviews, and language assessments. All applications must be submitted in English through the online recruiting system, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps.