Government Partnerships Officer

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Consultant Level 1

UNIT/DIVISION: Global Partner Countries Division (GPC)

DUTY STATION (City Country): London United Kingdom

DURATION: until 31/12/2026

ABOUT WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme is the worlds 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:
The WFP London Global Office guides WFP Country Offices on how to support national governments and work with the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) towards achieving SDG 2 while shaping the global partnership with these institutions. The Partnerships Officer would report to the Head of partnerships at WFP London Global Office and support engagement with the FCDO and other relevant counterparts.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITES (not all-inclusive)

• Manage and respond to field-related FCDO enquiries to ensure timely and accurate information exchange.

• Conduct partner profiling analyze data trends and develop outreach plans to maximize resources and leverage policy and technical support for WFPs initiatives.

• Maintain an overview of forecasts and gather/share partner intelligence using key information systems (e.g. WINGS Salesforce WFPGo) to inform strategic decisions.

• Collect analyze and synthesize data to contribute to quality business information management and enhance decision-making processes.

• Conduct in-depth research review and analysis on assigned topics drafting notes-to-the-file to facilitate decision-making and follow-up.

• Collaborate with COs to develop and manage partnership/contribution action plans including proposal and report writing by engaging with other WFP entities and external stakeholders.

• Utilize socio-political insights to support WFPs strategic positioning vis-à-vis FCDO and other key partners.

• Provide strategic advice and support to the WFP London Director and Head of Partnership on a range of issues related to the WFP London Global Office to ensure alignment with organizational goals.

• Draft timely and strategic briefing materials for WFP leadership for meetings and engagements with senior UK officials to amplify key messages and strengthen thematic and policy partnerships with the UK.

• Support missions of WFP leaders to the UK facilitating and accompanying leadership group and regional/country directors to meetings with FCDO and other partners (think tanks other governmental bodies IFIs) taking notes and ensuring follow-up is swiftly actioned.

• Coordinate and oversee special projects briefs and initiatives produced by the WFP London Team ensuring they are comprehensive and align with strategic objectives.

• Perform any other duties or roles as required to support the effective functioning of the WFP London Global Office

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Ongoing communication maintained with the UK Mission to WFP in Rome Italy through weekly calls regular correspondence and coordinated meetings and engagements between HQ and the Mission.

• Consistent senior leadership engagement facilitated with FCDO senior officials including participation at the Executive Board ensuring strategic dialogue and alignment.

• Timely and accurate reporting for core funding (both Payment by Results and non-Payment by Results)

• Effective grant management and support provided to COs

• UK Salesforce pages regularly updated and inputs provided to CSP PAP OTF and GOTF documents to support informed strategic decision-making.

• Strategic briefings prepared for high-level meetings and engagements enhancing WFPs advocacy and partnership efforts with senior UK officials.

• WFP leadership missions to the UK supported including facilitation and accompaniment of leadership groups and regional/country directors to meetings with FCDO and other partners with effective follow-up ensured.

• New partnerships developed and existing ones strengthened to diversify WFPs funding base and enhance advocacy efforts within the UK.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATION
Education:

Advanced or first university degree in development business administration public administration environment or related fields.

Language:

Fluency (level C) in English is required. Fluency in a second official UN language is desirable: Arabic Chinese French Russian Spanish and/or Portuguese (a working language).

Experience:

A minimum of three (3) years of relevant working experience in development policy or humanitarian response is preferable. Experience working directly in or with WFP operations in the field is an asset. Basic knowledge of UK governmental structures particularly the FCDO and understanding their mechanisms is required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Proven ability to manage projects effectively ensuring timeliness and quality of outputs.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact with FCDO officials and other stakeholders.

• In-depth practical knowledge of interdisciplinary humanitarian and development issues.

• Effective communication skills with staff at all levels of the organization and in handling external engagements.

• Demonstrates sensitivity tact and diplomacy in external relations

• Excellent networking team building organizational and communication skills with a strong teamwork spirit and ability to work in multicultural settings.

Please note that this is a local consultancy recruitment. Candidates must be residents of United Kingdom (UK) or have a legal work addition candidates must reside within commuting distance of the duty station London UK at the time of application or if not residing within commuting distance at the time of application candidates must be willing to relocate to London UK at their own cost before taking up the assignment. WFP shall not be responsible for any costs associated with such relocation nor shall WFP assist or otherwise be involved in obtaining residency status or legal work permits. Preference will be given to candidates who reside within commuting distance of London UK.