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 (City, Country) : Rome HQ, Italy – would involve some travel
• Duration : 5 months – with possibility for 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. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works globally to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access nutritious food.

The Global Partner Countries Division (GPC) supports organization-wide efforts to meet resource needs at both corporate and country levels through active engagement with governments and public sector institutions. Within GPC, the Thematic Team was created in 2021 to advance WFP’s climate, resilience, social protection, and nutrition portfolio through systematic and strategic fundraising for thematic and development activities, which requires a different approach than fundraising for humanitarian work.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

WFP seeks to fill the position of Government Partnerships Officer for Social Protection, based in the Global Partner Countries Division at Headquarters in Rome, Italy.

JOB PURPOSE

WFP relies entirely on voluntary contributions to finance its projects. Building relationships with public sector fundraising partners is crucial for supporting projects that impact millions worldwide.

Fundraising for the thematic agenda from development partners is gaining momentum following the approval of WFP’s Strategic Plan. This requires targeted, cross-departmental strategies, especially in social protection financing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :

1. Lead the implementation of a government donor engagement work plan on social protection to identify, develop, and strengthen partnerships aligned with WFP’s strategic objectives. Facilitate thematic discussions, events, and publications to advance the agenda.
2. Position WFP effectively with partners by developing tailored donor engagement materials that align with ongoing policy dialogues at national and global levels; support organizational coherence in partner engagement.
3. Guide and support regional bureaus and country offices on partnership strategies, proposal writing, and best practices in partnership development. Update and manage social protection programming portfolios and funding needs.
4. Maintain up-to-date donor intelligence on social protection and promote the use of key information systems within WFP.
5. Coordinate the Social Protection Trust Fund, ensuring donor relations and reporting are managed effectively.
6. Manage the social protection partnerships portfolio through partner profiling, data analysis, and outreach planning to maximize resource mobilization and collaboration opportunities.
7. Support high-level corporate dialogues, highlight strategic opportunities, and advise senior management on partnership development, including preparing briefs and strategic documents.
8. Assist in designing complex partnership proposals, negotiations, and drafting MOUs, ensuring compliance with norms and partner visibility.
9. Support WFP’s positioning with national governments and international institutions in countries where WFP operates, based on socio-political insights and donor interests.
10. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE :

Education : Advanced university degree in International Development, Economics, International Relations, Social Protection, or a related field.

Experience : Minimum of eight years in partnership roles, with proven 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 and expand engagement across sectors and geographies.
• Proficiency in resource mobilization, negotiation, and data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills, including external messaging and briefing development.
• Experience in system improvements and partner intelligence platforms.

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

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive package based on contract type, qualifications, and experience.

Visit “Our work” and “Countries” on WFP’s website for more information.

Ref. : VA No.832956

All employment decisions are merit-based. WFP is committed to an inclusive, harassment-free workplace. Candidates will undergo background checks.

Note: No employment will be offered to members of certain oversight bodies within the UN system within three years of service.

At Sabiagrik, we aim to bridge the knowledge gap in agriculture, helping enthusiasts turn passion into business.

J-18808-Ljbffr