Partnerships & Strategic Engagement Consultant CST II

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 United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  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.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

In 2018, WFP re-established its presence in the Caribbean with an office in Barbados. The WFP Caribbean Multi-Country Office (MCO) supports 22 countries and territories across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. WFP Caribbean’s capacity strengthening programme focuses on vulnerability analysis and mapping; end-to-end supply chain management; shock-responsive social protection; food systems strengthening; and climate risk financing.  In times of crisis, WFP works with partners to provide direct assistance when events surpass national and regional capacities by delivering food, cash or voucher assistance, or through emergency logistics or emergency telecommunications service provision.

BACKGROUND & JOB PURPOSE

BACKGROUND

The United Nations World Food Programme’s Multi-Country Office (MCO) for the Caribbean works with national, regional and international partners to strengthen resilience to the climate crisis, and to other risks. WFP adopts a systems-focused approach as part of its capacity-strengthening efforts, through research and advocacy, digitalization, human-resource development, South-South Cooperation, and by investing in critical infrastructure and assets. WFP works with partners to provide direct assistance to vulnerable people impacted by shocks, when events surpass national and regional capacities.

These investments place the most vulnerable people at the center of efforts to minimize the combined impacts of climate, economic and other shocks. WFP Caribbean’s 2022-2026 Multi-Country Strategic Plan supports 22 countries and territories across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean through the provision of expertise in vulnerability analysis and mapping; end-to-end supply-chain management; shock-responsive social protection; food-systems strengthening, and climate-risk financing. 

PURPOSE

This position will be instrumental in maintaining and increasing partnership opportunities for the MCO, supporting strategic engagement within WFP and the UN systems to achieve the aims and objectives of WFP’s Multi-Country Strategic Plan for the Caribbean, and working with Programme and Supply Chain units to achieve results. This includes ensuring that gender equality contributions are more clearly defined and articulated across work streams, that memorandum of understanding and letters of understanding are in place in priority countries, that WFP is reflected in the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable and Development Framework processes. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the supervision of the Senior Partnerships Officer, the consultant will:

• Coordinate WFP’s engagement in UN System processes, such as the UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework for the English-and-Dutch-speaking Caribbean and Country Implementation Plans of priority countries covered by the MCO. 
• Support the Senior Partnerships Officer in the actualization of the Partnerships Action Plan.
• Lead and contribute to the development of funding proposals and address requests from new and current government partners, as required.
• Coordinate WFP’s participation in global, regional and sub-regional high-level events and fora to facilitate appropriate level of representation, participation, and cross-unit collaboration.
• In collaboration with technical units, move forward the articulation of capacity strengthening work of the MCO.
• Carry out and coordinate corporate documents such as the Annual Performance Plan and the Risk Register.
• Support the gender equality initiatives of the MCO by ensuring the integration of gender perspectives across all areas of work, thereby effectively showcasing WFP Caribbean's commitment to gender equality and women empowerment.
• Coordinate the planning and finalization of Letters of Understanding, basic agreements and accreditation processes in light of the appointment of the new Representative and Country Director of the MCO.
• Any other duties, as required to enhance or advance the partnerships and strategic engagement activities of the MCO.
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DELIVERABLE AT THE END OF ASSIGNMENT

• Draft of the third generation Multi-Country Strategic Plan.
• WFP Caribbean’s work is adequately represented in fora in the region and in corporate documents.
• WFP Caribbean is engaged in UN System processes.
• WFP Caribbean is engaged with the University of the West Indies.
• WFP Caribbean has advanced its work in capacity strengthening.
• WFP Caribbean is engaged with current and potential donor partners.
• The gender equality of the MCO is well represented across publications, proposals and reports.

Should the contract extend beyond 11 months, adjustments to the deliverables will be made to suit the prevailing context and requirements.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University Degree and/or equivalent experience with emphasis in one or more of the following disciplines: Political Sciences, Development Economics, Law, Marketing, International Affairs, Social Sciences, Journalism or a field relevant to International Development or Humanitarian Assistance.

Experience: At least 5 years of post-graduate, progressively responsible international and national experience in the fields of strategic engagement, partnerships, reporting, information management, programme management etc. 

Experience working with WFP, in the Caribbean region and across multiple countries is preferred. Understanding of the complexity of Small Island Developing States context and of multi-country office dynamics is considered an asset. 

Knowledge & Skills: 

• Ability to translate complex conceptual approaches and programme principles into relevant, clear and effective guidance; 
• Good understanding of project lifecycle, humanitarian principles and tools, programmes and transfer modalities; 
• General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures; 
• Strong writing, analytical and research skills; 
• Good interpersonal skills, teamwork spirit and ability to work independently.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has led the implementation of resource mobilisation work plans within area of expertise

• Has managed small teams of more junior staff with related areas of expertise

• Has conducted negotiations for contributions and partnership agreements in line with internal established policies and procedures and external regulations

• Has developed productive relationships with representatives of donors and host governments

• Has provided resourcing analysis and prepared accurate and timely briefs as well as reporting to donors

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Relationship Management

Demonstrates ability to formulate and maintain strong relationships and develop networks with appropriate stakeholders. Leads in implementing identified strategy to raise the profile of WFP, build relationships and further organisational aims.

Communication Expertise

Facilitates and contributes to open verbal or written communication with stakeholders as required (i.e. through preparation of targeted written or visual communications materials, presentations, and official documentation) to convey tailored messages. Engages in mutually informative discussion with partners and influencers.

Information Analytics, Reporting & Management

Demonstrates ability to conceptualise impactful means for reporting outcomes of multilateral/interagency dialogues to facilitate decision-making. Utilises partnership information and analysis to form insights which support fact based discussion for enhanced partner relationships, proactively identifying opportunities for improvement. Maintains, manages and analyses information in appropriate WFP systems.

Resource Mobilisation

Demonstrates the ability to design and manage the full resource mobilisation lifecycle, including negotiating with partners and key stakeholders, providing resourcing advice and briefs to senior managers, leading medium/large teams and strategically allocating material and other appropriate resources.

Business Process Support & Technical Guidance

Provides advanced technical support to other business areas. Troubleshoots complex system issues and contributes to the design and implementation of system changes. Provides input into the training and support strategy for technical systems users. Demonstrates managerial skills in leading medium/large teams in the delivery of support and technical guidance.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Who Can Apply?

All applications received will be reviewed and go through a selection process to assess the relevant experience and qualifications. Please be advised that we will only contact candidates who have been shortlisted for further consideration. 

Employment Particulars

• Type of position: Short Term, Full Time
• Type of Contact: International Consultancy, level II
• Duration on Contract: 11 months
• Duty Station: Bridgetown, Barbados
• Travel Requirements: The WFP Caribbean Office cover the 22 English and Dutch speaking Caribbean countries. The selected candidate may be required to travel from time to time, both regionally and internationally, to support missions, emergency responses, training etc. 
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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

To enhance the accessibility and inclusiveness of the recruitment process at the World Food Programme (WFP), we encourage individuals requiring disability-related accommodations or other accessibility assistance to reach out to us. Please email your requests to global.inclusion@wfp.org.  Upon receiving your email, a dedicated member of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team will contact you to discuss your needs in a confidential and supportive manner.  We are committed to providing a recruitment experience that respects and responds to the unique needs of every candidate.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications should be submitted by May 28, 2024, 23:59 Eastern Daylight Time.

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.