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, color, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

Job Title: Government Partnerships Consultant – Thematic Innovative Finance

Type of Contract: International Consultant, Level II

Division: Global Partner Countries Division (GPC)

Duty Station (City, Country): Rome HQ, Italy

Duration: 11 months / Planned start Aug 2024

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetime. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

The Global Partner Countries Division (GPC) within the Partnership and Innovation Department (PI) supports organization-wide efforts to meet the resource needs at corporate and country levels through active engagement with governments and public sector institutions. Within GPC, the Thematic Team (GPCT) advances the Changing Lives Agenda through systematic and strategic fundraising for thematic and development activities.

To address the escalating food crisis and support SDG 2, WFP is exploring innovative financing solutions from various public and private funding sources to mobilize the much needed resources to support the most vulnerable people and communities in needs. Under the Critical Corporate Initiative (CCI) Fit for Future in a Changed Funding Landscape and with the objective to set the Corporate Innovation Finance Strategy in motion, WFP is strengthening partnerships and identifying and piloting innovative financing solutions.

This consultancy will install dedicated capacity within the GPC to expand the Division’s understanding on innovative financing solutions and strengthen WFP’s HQ and field engagement with donors to mobilize resources through innovative finance models, targeting a set of key thematic topics, in particular in the area of climate and resilience building.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

As GPC Thematic Team’s liaison person under the CCI’s Fit for Future, responsible for Deliverable 4 of the CCI (Deliverable 4 focuses on building a pipeline of feasible climate proposals ready for submission for funding opportunities):

1. Lead Donor and External Partner Engagement:
   • Review donor strategies and conduct mapping of a set of priority donors to engage on innovative financing conversations.
   • Develop and nurture relationships with government donors to promote innovative financing models across thematic areas.
   • Organize donor facing events to present innovative financing models.
   • Identify funding opportunities and lead resource mobilization with donors on a set of thematic focused proposals.
   • Support the organization in expanding relationships with public and private sectors working on innovative finance topics.

2. Identify Innovative Financing Integration Models:
   • Contribute to the development of concrete financing integration models combining bilateral, multilateral, public, and private sector resources.
   • Research and recommend best practices for financing integration.

3. Resource Mobilization Plan Implementation:
   • Support the implementation of WFP’s Corporate Resource Mobilization Plan.
   • Support the update of WFP’s Climate and Resilience investment pipeline with integrating new innovative finance project concepts.

4. Oversee Seed Funding:
   • Manage and oversee the allocation of seed funding to COs for the development of innovative finance proposals for resource mobilization.

5. Support Regional Bureau (RB) and Country Offices (COs):
   • Provide capacity building support to RB and COs on thematic innovative financing engagement.
   • Assist COs in showcasing their innovative financing work to potential donors.
   • Provide guidance and support to COs in developing compelling proposals.

DELIVERABLES QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

1. Report on donor strategies and priorities to promote innovative financing models to catalyze investments in key thematic areas.
2. Detailed reports on donor engagement activities and outcomes.
3. Comprehensive innovative financing integration models and recommendations.
4. Successful support and showcasing of COs’ innovative finance work.
5. Updated content in the resource mobilization plan and investment pipeline.
6. Planning document and reporting on the use of “seed funding”.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

• Advanced University degree in International Development, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or related fields.

Experience:

• Minimal 7 years of progressively responsible experience in international development, finance, climate change, or a related field.
• Proven experience in donor engagement, resource mobilization, and innovative finance models.
• Proven experience in designing and managing climate and resilience projects is desirable.
• Experience working with public and private sector financing mechanisms, in particular climate financing is an asset.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong understanding of innovative finance and blended finance models.
• Excellent analytical, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to develop strategic partnerships and engage with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Proficiency in project management and financial analysis.

Languages:

• Fluency (level C) in English language. Knowledge of Spanish, French or Arabic a strong asset.

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 27 June 2024

Ref.: VA No. 833461

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.