Consultant Partnerships

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

29 August 2026-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Partnerships Officer
TEAM Partnership Management Team
UNIT/DIVISION: Private Sector Partnerships (PSP)
DUTY STATION: Rome HQ
CONTRACT TYPE: Regular Consultant
LEVEL: CST - I
DURATION: 3 months and 21 days
LINE MANAGER/SUPERVISOR: Head of Global Partnership Management

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency working to create a world
with zero hunger.
As the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, WFP delivers food assistance in emergencies and works with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience for the long term. WFP believes that individual and collective wellbeing can only be achieved if all children, women, and men get the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, dignified lives.
In 2024 alone, WFP assisted 124 million people. Every day, 5,600 WFP-chartered trucks are on the road, 78 aircraft are in the air, and 189 ships are at sea. These numbers speak to WFP’s unparalleled reputation as an emergency responder, one that is often the first on the scene in the most difficult environments. WFP also works with partners to strengthen the resilience of communities most vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition through long-term development programmes aimed at boosting food security, local economies, education, employment, and gender equality. While hunger and malnutrition are the world’s largest solvable issues, the needs are still immense and growing. Today, 733 million people in the world face hunger, equivalent to one in eleven people globally.
WFP’s Private Partnerships Division (PSP) is responsible for engaging the private sector (corporations, individuals, foundations) through high-impact partnerships in support of WFP's strategic priorities, and through individual giving to build and retain support from the public worldwide. Joining PSP is an exciting opportunity for experienced professionals to co-develop and implement our new private partnerships and fundraising strategy.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
PPF Division is looking for a motivated individual to manage and grow key partnerships with companies. The private sector is uniquely qualified to play a leadership role in ending hunger. Some of the largest and most respected companies in the world - such as Mastercard and Royal DSM - are helping achieve zero hunger by enabling WFP to strengthen operations, reach more people, fund lifesaving programs, and increase public support. They choose to partner with WFP because of WFP's leadership, reach, scale, and track record to create innovative mutually beneficial partnerships that leverage their unique strengths and create lasting impact.
The selected candidate will be joining PPF’s Rome-based Partnership Management team, which is responsible for managing and growing partnerships which leverage the assets, expertise, and skills of the private sector to support the achievement of SDG2.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
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Lead, manage and grow a defined portfolio of WFP’s high-value, high-impact multi-year partnerships.
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Create and implement plans to maximize partnerships; manage renewals, proactively seek opportunities for growth, provide ongoing stewardship, and assess results to maximize resources for WFP and deliver results for partners.
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Collaborate with internal stakeholders including WFP technical units and field colleagues to identify funding opportunities and develop value propositions to increase support from partners.
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Create compelling presentations and proposals -- including grant applications, and reports.
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Build and maintain positive relationships with private sector counterparts; create plans to strengthen relationships with senior leadership and key decision-makers, to engage employees, and to add value to the partnership.
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Lead complex negotiations processes, and work with WFP Legal to develop contracts.
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Drive the development and implementation of internal and external communications plans to ensure optimal partnership visibility, in coordination with WFP communications colleagues.
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Plan and lead strategic and day-to-day meetings with partners and internal colleagues, including WFP and partner leadership; write briefs and prepare leadership and colleagues for participation in meetings.
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Liaise with in-house services to ensure proper fund management and fulfilment of contractual obligations and ensure timely and accurate reporting, as well as tracking and accurate record-keeping in Salesforce and SharePoint.
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Serve as key stakeholder for WFP technical units, Regional Bureaux and/or Global Offices and proactively support their effective and successful engagement with the private sector, where relevant
▪
Support or lead defined team projects and undertake additional responsibilities as needed.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT
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Partnership plans developed for portfolio to maximize partnerships and implemented using best practice processes and stewardship to achieve targets.
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Effective leadership of partnership portfolio and activities, with clear decisions made on strategic and day-to-day activities, and negotiations and renewals complete where relevant.
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Strong, collaborative internal and external relationships built.
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Clear and accurate records of partnership intelligence are kept and are up to date on all relevant systems.
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Clear evidence of input in to support cross team and divisional initiatives, where required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Education
Advanced University degree in Business Administration, Marketing/Communications, International Development, Non-Profit Management/Fundraising or other relevant field - or first university degree with additional years of related work experience.
Work history
At least seven years of progressive experience working in developing and/or managing partnerships, project management, marketing and communications, sales, or account management roles. Knowledge of international development a plus.
Track record of successfully managing and growing large (USD 1 million+) partnerships with global companies.
Hard skills
Experience with technical partnerships (delivering non-financial support including expertise) a plus.
Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and manage, and negotiate a sales process.
Understanding of the private sector, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and corporate philanthropy as well as the humanitarian and development sectors.
Experience with cause marketing and consumer fundraising campaigns.
Experience developing and implementing employee engagement activities.
Soft skills
Experience in account management both internal and external stakeholders to build relationships and deliver join workplans.
People-oriented; able to build rapport with individuals of different levels and functions with tact, courtesy, and humor; comfortable having difficult conversations.
Attention to detail, ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
Strong presentation and writing skills.
Ability to think creatively and excited about exploring and initiating ideas.
Languages
Excellent command of spoken and written English.
Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language is a plus.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.