Government Partnerships Consultant – Social Protection

• Job Title: Government Partnerships Consultant – Social Protection
• Type of Contract: International Consultancy
• Division: Global Partner Countries – Thematic Team
• Duty Station: Rome HQ, Italy – some travel involved
• Duration: 5 months with possible extension

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Its mission is to help achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. WFP works globally to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the most vulnerable, especially women and children, can access nutritious food.

The Global Partner Countries Division (GPC) supports efforts to meet resource needs through engagement with governments and public sector institutions. The Thematic Team, established in 2021, advances WFP’s climate, resilience, social protection, and nutrition portfolios through strategic fundraising, which differs from humanitarian fundraising.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

WFP seeks to fill the position of Government Partnerships Officer for Social Protection at its Rome headquarters.

JOB PURPOSE

WFP relies on voluntary contributions to fund its projects. Building relationships with public sector fundraising partners is crucial for supporting projects that impact millions globally. Fundraising for the thematic agenda, especially in social protection, requires targeted strategies and expertise in social protection financing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Implement a government donor engagement plan on social protection to identify and develop partnerships aligned with WFP's strategic goals, including organizing discussions, events, and publications.
2. Position WFP’s value proposition with partners, develop tailored engagement materials, and support organizational coherence in partner engagement.
3. Guide regional and country offices on partnership strategies, proposal writing, and best practices, updating portfolios and funding needs.
4. Maintain up-to-date donor intelligence on social protection and promote use of key information systems.
5. Coordinate the Social Protection Trust Fund, managing donor relations and reporting.
6. Manage the social protection partnerships portfolio, including partner profiling, data analysis, and outreach to expand collaboration opportunities.
7. Support corporate dialogue with partners, highlight strategic opportunities, and advise senior management on engagement strategies.
8. Assist in designing complex partnership proposals and negotiations, ensuring partner visibility and compliance with norms and regulations.
9. Support WFP’s positioning on social protection with national governments and international institutions, sharing insights and advising on donor engagement.
10. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Advanced degree in International Development, Economics, International Relations, or related fields.

Experience: Minimum of 8 years in partnership roles, with expertise in social protection policy, financing, and programming.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience in developing multi-stakeholder partnerships and advocacy events.
• Ability to build long-term relationships across sectors and geographies.
• Experience in resource mobilization, negotiation, and strategic planning.
• Proficiency in data-driven decision making and external messaging.
• Contributions to system improvements and partner intelligence platforms.

Languages: Fluency in English (C level); knowledge of Spanish, French, or Arabic is a strong asset.

Terms and Conditions:

WFP offers a competitive package based on contract type and qualifications. For more information, visit WFP's website sections “Our work” and “Countries”.

Ref. : VA No.832956

All hiring is merit-based, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Candidates will undergo background checks. Employment is not offered to members of certain oversight bodies within the UN system during or within three years of service.