Partnerships 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 belief that food is a fundamental human right and that everyone deserves access to it. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees regardless of race, gender, or background. WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, recognizing its efforts in combating hunger and promoting peace. The organization invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, fostering a healthy and inclusive work environment. WFP operates in numerous countries worldwide, employing thousands of individuals dedicated to humanitarian assistance and development efforts.

Job Overview:
The Partnerships Officer will play a crucial role in implementing the work plan for assigned areas, enabling WFP to identify, develop, and strengthen quality partnerships that support its strategic objectives. The officer will proactively contribute to a partnerships portfolio, engaging in partner profiling and outreach activities aimed at maximizing resources and leveraging policy and technical support for WFP’s initiatives. This position requires the use of data to present well-researched ideas to managers, enhancing the impact of WFP’s work and diversifying its resource base. The officer will also be responsible for drafting quality briefs, gathering internal and external data, and supporting the development of partnerships and joint events with various stakeholders to advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Zero Hunger agenda. The role demands a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement the work plan for assigned areas to enable WFP to identify, develop, and strengthen quality partnerships in support of strategic objectives.
• Proactively contribute to a partnerships portfolio, including partner profiling and outreach activities.
• Use data to present well-researched ideas to expand support from existing partners and scope new partners.
• Solicit inputs from other WFP entities to inform partner audiences on WFP’s programmatic offerings.
• Draft quality briefs and highlight strategic issues to senior staff.
• Gather and present internal and external data to support WFP’s effective positioning with national governments and international institutions.
• Support the development of partnerships and joint events with member states and civil society.
• Contribute to partnerships strategies and develop Partnership Action Plans.
• Draw up quality partner proposals and reports by engaging with other WFP entities and external stakeholders. 1
• Support senior managers in preparing strategic agreements and joint strategies. 1
• Contribute to preparedness actions and monitor defined risks. 1
• Other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

• A good understanding of government and corporate strategies and priorities.
• Significant experience in developing partnerships in humanitarian and resilience spheres.
• Experience in exploring new opportunities and providing inputs to design solutions with prospective partners.
• Proven ability to develop long-term partner relationships and expand engagements across geographies and sectors.
• Experience in resource mobilization processes and negotiating contract terms.
• Previous experience leading advocacy and/or communications teams is an asset.
• Experience in implementing work plans for assigned areas.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with member states, UN agencies, NGOs, and other partners.
• Experience in researching and analyzing social and political trends data. 1
• Experience managing small teams with related areas of expertise.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Economics, International Relations, Law, Marketing, Communications, or a relevant field is required. Alternatively, a first university degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses may be accepted.

Experience:
A minimum of one or more years of relevant professional work experience in partnership roles is required. Candidates should have a basic understanding of government strategies and have developed effective relationships with partners. Experience in exploring new areas to scale up existing activities and researching new opportunities is essential. Candidates should also have experience in preparing briefs to raise resources for operations and collaborating for timely registration and maintenance of contributions.

Languages:
Fluency (level C) in English is mandatory. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, or Portuguese is desirable. For national professionals, fluency in the duty station’s language is also required if different from English.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in Havana, Cuba. The World Food Programme is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment. The organization offers a competitive compensation package and encourages qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. All employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.