Location:

Munich, Germany
Salary:

negotiable / YEAR
Job type:

FULL_TIME
Posted:

11 months ago
Category:

Innovation and Knowledge Management, Management and Strategy, Partnership and Resource Mobilization
Deadline:

12/04/2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

2 February 2025-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Berlin)

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).

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

The position is based in Munich and reports to the Head of Global Innovation Accelerator and Ventures.

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.

Innovation and partnerships are among the organization’s priorities. It scales innovations for efficiency and effectiveness across all global WFP offices and explores new solutions.WFP has a legacy of innovation from its inception to breakthrough innovations implemented at scale across WFP operations. The existing innovation infrastructure consists of the Headquarters Innovation Division, with its award-winning WFP Global Innovation Accelerator based in Munich, Germany, different Regional and Country Innovation Hubs and Units, and the corporate Business Innovation and Change Service.

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Global Innovation Accelerator Operations and Partnerships drives WFP’s innovation efforts to combat global hunger, leading key functions like communications, partnerships, operations, and talent development to establish systems and culture that scale impactful innovations. Reporting to the Head of the WFP Innovation Accelerator, this role connects with WFP field operations and global innovation ecosystems, advancing WFP’s modernization goals. Representing WFP internally and externally, the Head advises on accelerator methodologies and manages high-level partnerships, ensuring alignment with WFP’s mission and Sustainable Development Goals.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Provide leadership and guidance on innovation accelerator operations and partnerships, including human-centred design, lean startup methodologies, and innovation accelerator core processes like innovation boot camps, pitch events, and partnerships with innovation funders in the private and public sectors.

2. Contribute expert advice on WFP’s innovation strategy and the Global Innovation Accelerator’s strategy, work plan, operational activities, governance, and oversight structures. 3. Lead and integrate the following functions at the WFP Innovation Accelerator and provide technical expertise, guidance, and coaching to leaders and team members:

Communications and Marketing
Partnerships (Governments, Private Sector, and other)
Business Operations (Procurement, Facilities, IT Systems)
Human Resources and People
Act as regular Officer in Charge for the Head of the WFP Innovation Accelerator.

4. Build and nurture strategic and high-value innovation partnership development with key public, and private sector partners, research institutions, and others at an executive level.

5. Lead and act as WFP expert for inter-agency innovation collaboration – including the new UN 2.0 and Quintet of Change Agenda and act as co-chair for the UN Innovation Network on behalf of WFP.

6. Lead in the consultation on legal matters with WFP Legal Division, and contribute to strategic conversations with WFP senior management on innovation topics.

7. Advise and support the Global Innovation Accelerator and Ventures team, the growing network of innovation hubs and units, and its portfolio projects (as applicable) on innovation topics and methodologies including human-centered design, lean startup processes, acceleration processes, and pitch events internationally.

8. Provide strategic advice to the Head of the WFP Innovation Accelerator and other WFP leaders on executive innovation events and communications activities and represent WFP innovation internally and externally as required.

9. Maintain positive relationships and collaborate cross-functionally to align innovation activities with wider programmes and activities and ensure a coherent approach that enables efficient delivery, including with the growing network of innovation hubs and units.

10. Contribute to corporate oversight and team leadership for the office including driving corporate strategic planning, performance, risk management, and internal control topics. 11. Perform any other duties as required to support the Director Global Innovation Accelerator and Ventures as well as the Director Innovation Division.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:

Masters Degree in Business, Management or International Development, preferably with an innovation focus or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional relevant experience and/or advanced training/courses.

Experience:

Minimum 8 years of postgraduate progressively responsible experience in the innovation field, with a background and focus in international humanitarian development and lean start-up.
Management role in fundraising and partnerships is required.
Extensive experience in leading multicultural teams, team performance and motivation.

Knowledge & Skills:

Demonstrated leadership of innovation structures, working with executive management of organizations.
Extensive expert experience in the innovation accelerator, startup accelerator, and technology innovation in the public or private sector
Expert know-how in key innovation accelerator methodologies including human-centred design, lean startup methodologies and accelerator processes like acceleration programmes and pitch events in an international context.
Broad knowledge of diverse humanitarian assistance and development practices with innovation expertise.
In-depth knowledge of the humanitarian and development donor, foundations and the private sector partnerships spheres, with proven experience in mobilization and management of million-dollar donor portfolio.
Proven ability to manage, coach and motivate international and diverse teams and deliver effectively through others to achieve results.
Excellent diplomatic skills management acumen and deep commercial understanding, with the ability to leverage external partnerships to optimize resources for WFP.
Deep understanding of business principles and processes and the ability to quickly assimilate UN / WFP specific strategies, processes and systems – including innovation, procurement, HR and legal
Experience in facilitating WFP senior management level committees and decision-making structures.
Proven experience in international events: including organizing innovation pitch events and enabling executive management participation in events such as the UN General Assembly, COP and the World Economic Forum.
High calibre negotiation and motivational skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels within and beyond the organisation.
Ability to assimilate and analyze complex issues using independent judgement and anticipate potential strategic impact.
Collaborative spirit able to liaise with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures and to act with credibility and diplomacy.
Strong time management skills with an ability to plan, and anticipate requirements, problems and obstacles, and an ability to juggle competing priorities successfully, and to work to tight deadlines.
Ability to create simple messages from complex data sets and present them concisely, tailoring messages to the needs of the specific audience.
Demonstrated knowledge of new ways of working and experience in the use of innovative collaboration tools.
Self-motivated who sets and achieves ambitious goals.
Fully committed and motivated to achieve the aims of the World Food Programme

Language:

Fluency (level C) in English language.
Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is an International Professional position and is open to all nationalities.
The selected candidate will be employed on a limited fixed-term contract of 2 years renewable.
Limited Fixed-Term Appointment (LFT) position is a non-mobile staff appointment in the international professional category for a limited period of up to 4 years.
The position is based in Munich, Germany, and the selected candidate will be expected to relocate.
Incumbents of LFT positions are not eligible to apply for other mobile positions advertised internally through the Reassignment.
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org) including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable)
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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 dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at [email protected]. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

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

We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements

This job has expired.