Consultant (CST II) - Partnerships Officer, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), Nairobi at World Food Programme (WFP)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Resource Mobilization

• Lead engagement with a broad range of partners, focusing on international financial institutions, development financing institutions, emerging and non-traditional government donors and regional organisations.
• Co-lead the development and implementation of a Resource Mobilization Strategy in line with WFP’s Country Strategic Plan in Kenya.
• In collaboration with Global Headquarters, lead engagement on climate and innovating financing, working closely with Global Headquarters to explore new partnership opportunities.
• Strengthen UN inter-agency engagement and joint partnership and resource mobilisation opportunities with Rome-based and UN agencies.
• Proactively scan the country development landscape and identify new partners for resourcing and partnership, including private foundations, regional bodies and thematic funding opportunities.

 Strategic Partnership Development

• Coordinate and implement strategic segments of the partnerships work plan, focusing on IFIs and government donor engagement to identify, develop, and strengthen quality partnerships in support of WFP's strategic objectives.
• Lead the tracking and management of partnership pipelines, forecasting resource opportunities, and maintaining up‑to‑date donor intelligence to inform strategic decision‑making.
• Work with functional units and Regional Office staff to create coordinated outreach plans, ensuring alignment of partner engagement across the organization.
• Proactively identify and highlight strategic opportunities for partnership, proposing options to nurture trust and interest in WFP's work.
• Identify and pursue strategic opportunities for engagement with government and other external partners.
• Guide functional units in the CO on partnership strategies and give guidance on contribution management and quality proposal and report writing.
• Serve as a focal point between technical teams and leadership to ensure consistent messaging and readiness for strategic engagements.

Partnerships and Advocacy

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders as relevant, through regular and systematic communication channels.
• Support the management of WFP’s brand among key external partners as a UN agency and trusted development partner.
• Coordinate the development of key updates and briefings on emerging issues for discussion with key external partners, ensuring that WFP positions are well explained and taken into account in decision making.

​​​​​​​DELIVERABLES:

• Proposals submitted to donors, IFIs and Government of Kenya.
• Advocacy materials developed to support outreach to new partners.
• A tailored package of resource mobilization products for pipeline projects is developed.
• Events and donor missions supported, and lessons learned/suggestions for future collaborations.
• Regular meetings with IFI and donor counterparts to mobilize resources and increase visibility of WFP operations.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Economics, International Relations, Law, Marketing, Communications, Social Sciences or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience:

• Seven years or more of postgraduate professional experience in a relevant field of work, with a background and interest in international humanitarian development.
• Prior experience working within, or in connection with, a UN system organization or in the humanitarian sector is desirable.
• Prior experience working in, or supporting projects based in, developing countries will be highly regarded.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Has gained significant experience in exploring new opportunities and developing proposals to design and develop solutions with prospective partners and expand existing engagements and partner relationships.
• Has a good understanding of government and corporate strategy and priorities and has gained experience in developing multi-stakeholder partnership.
• Has designed and managed resource mobilization processes, negotiated contract terms and provided resourcing advice to senior management.
• Has gained experience in gathering, documenting and analysing partner intelligence (both data and qualitative information such as partners’ focus areas and organizational operations) to develop a Unique Value Proposition and engagement strategy for partners.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of another UN working language is an advantage.