Partnerships Officer (Head of Office) NOC

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 extreme weather. WFP operates globally, with a mission to ensure that no one goes hungry, and it is committed to the principles of diversity and equal employment opportunity. WFP has a diverse workforce and is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment that reflects the communities it serves. The organization has received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts worldwide. WFP has numerous offices across various countries, working collaboratively with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Partnerships Officer (Head of Office) NOC position at WFP Kuwait Office is a critical role that involves leading the newly established WFP presence in Kuwait. The job holder will be responsible for strategically positioning WFP with the Government of Kuwait, regional and international financial institutions, private-sector entities, and philanthropic actors. This role requires a deep understanding of partnership dynamics and the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders to advance WFP's mission. The Partnerships Officer will work independently, utilizing technical knowledge and experience to analyze data and identify solutions for partnership activities. The position emphasizes the importance of collaboration with public, private, and external partners to attract policy support, resources, and innovative solutions that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Zero Hunger initiative. The role also involves managing a partnerships portfolio, developing strategies, and ensuring that WFP's contributions are recognized and valued in the broader humanitarian landscape.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Partnerships Officer include leading the WFP Office in Kuwait, implementing strategic priorities, and developing a work plan to strengthen partnerships in support of WFP's objectives. The officer will engage with various WFP functional units and regional offices to align partner engagement strategies and ensure effective communication with government and private sector audiences. The role involves supporting a wide range of partnership activities, including partner profiling, data analysis, and outreach planning to maximize resources and leverage support for WFP's initiatives. The officer will facilitate corporate dialogue with partners, prepare quality briefing materials, and highlight strategic opportunities to senior management. Additionally, the officer will lead the development of partnership strategies, manage partnership agreements, and ensure compliance with corporate norms. The role requires the ability to influence policy agendas and advocate for WFP's priorities within the UN system and multilateral forums. The officer will also manage staff, providing coaching and guidance to foster high performance and ensure gender perspectives are incorporated into all areas of work.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in partnership and representational roles within the humanitarian sector. Essential qualifications include experience serving as a principal representative to government and private sector counterparts at senior levels, successfully mobilizing financial contributions, and leading the implementation of strategic plans. Candidates should demonstrate sound political judgment and diplomatic skills, particularly in a Gulf or comparable regional context. Desirable qualifications include prior experience in establishing or expanding a country office and analyzing local political situations. Experience in negotiating with vendors and partners, as well as implementing integrated programs that combine humanitarian assistance with resilience and livelihoods interventions, is also beneficial.

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

Experience:
A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in partnership and representational roles within the humanitarian space is required. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing complex partnerships and engaging with diverse stakeholders to achieve organizational goals.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is mandatory, with a proficiency level of C. This bilingual capability is essential for effective communication and engagement with local partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a national role open exclusively to Kuwaiti nationals. The selected candidate must reside within commuting distance of the WFP Kuwait Office or be willing to relocate at their own expense. The role offers a competitive compensation package based on the UN salary scale for National Officer category positions. The WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. All applications must be submitted through the WFP online recruiting system, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps in the selection process.