Partnerships Officer P4

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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).

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT 

This position is based in Brussels, Belgium. The incumbent will report to the Deputy Director.

The main objective of the World Food Programme Global Office in Brussels is to support country offices, regional offices and HQ divisions in mobilizing funds from the EU. This is achieved by establishing and fostering partnerships with several EU institutions as well as providing technical support to WFP offices during the negotiation, formulation, management, reporting and verification of EU contracts. The negotiation and management of EU contributions require in-depth knowledge of EU policies as well as the regulatory frameworks of the different financing instruments and specific EU-UN agreements.

The EU Partnership and Compliance Officer plays a key role by enabling the conclusion of satisfactory contribution agreements for WFP, as well as compliance with complex contractual conditions and requirements.

Key Accountabilities (not all-inclusive): Within the delegated authority, the EU Partnership and Compliance Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide specialist advice, support and assistance to WFP Country Offices, Regional Offices and concerned units at Headquarters to strengthen relations with the European Union and increase fundraising opportunities from DG INTPA, DG MENA and FPI.

• Lead negotiations for contributions agreements centrally managed by relevant European Commission services, in line with WFP’s internal policies and regulations and the EC-UN Financial and Administrative Framework Agreement (FAFA), in order to reach advantageous outcomes for WFP.

• Provide guidance and support to WFP Country Offices, Regional Offices and concerned units at Headquarters for the negotiation, management and reporting of contributions agreements with EU Delegations to ensure compliance with WFP’s internal regulations and the FAFA.

• Identify, build and maintain effective relationships with EU representatives through appropriate channels, and represent WFP in regular donor meetings organized by EU institutions (mostly DG INTPA, DG MENA and FPI).

• Oversee, coordinate and contribute to the preparation of briefing documents for senior management levels meetings with EU institutions. Develop and present clear recommendations for senior staff members highlighting fundraising opportunities and develop strategies to increase funding from various EU institutions (DG INTPA, DG MENA and FPI).

• Advice on all EU legal matters and compliance of contribution agreements from all European Commission services with the EC-UN FAFA and WFP’s internal rules and regulations, including drafting, review and negotiation of complex legal agreements.

• Coordinate WFP inputs and follow-up actions in the context of the periodic meetings of the EU-UN FAFA Working Group and the Joint Technical Reference Group of the FAFA involving all relevant European Commission services and all UN Agencies signatories to the FAFA. Participate on behalf of WFP in inter-agency meetings and joint EC/UN working groups and tasks forces on the preparation and review of EC contract templates, EC control framework, and other aspects pertaining to the operationalization of the FAFA.  

• In close collaboration with WFP’s Risk Management Division at HQs, act as main focal point within Brussels Global Office and provide all necessary support for EU financial verifications, other EC related control exercises and all compliance/risk related matters. Facilitate WFP dialogue with the Legal, Finance, Contract and Audit units of all relevant European Commission services at Brussels level on issues arising due to EC control exercises and other compliance/risk related aspects.

• Lead/coordinate a small technical team responsible for the day-to-day management of EU contributions in WFP’s corporate platforms (Salesforce, SAP/WINGS etc.) to ensure compliance with relevant EU contractual provisions.

• Provide training to WFP Headquarters, regional and field staff on the management of EU contributions, EU compliance and all related legal and contractual issues.

• Others as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Advanced university degree, or a university degree with additional years of experience, and advanced training/coursework in one or more of the following disciplines: preferably Law, political science, international development, or a related field.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• At least eight years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in international development, donor aid programmes or other related fields.
• Out of these, a minimum of four years of proven experience dealing with EU institutions, policies, oversight and legal frameworks is essential, including negotiation and management of EU contracts and financial verifications.
• Proven experience in fundraising, negotiations and public relations/advocacy.
• Experience managing teams of experts across a variety of job functions and creating an enabling environment.
• Solid communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Working knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration.
• Good working knowledge of EU development policies and of EU working modalities, regulations and administrative procedures.
• Experience working in developing country, preferably in the area of food aid or development cooperation desirable
• Previous experience with the World Food Programme is an asset.

Language:

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

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• This position is an International Professional position and is open to all nationalities.
• Mobility is, and continues to be, a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position, however, is classified as “non‑rotational,” which means the incumbent will not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as rotational. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed‑term contract with a one‑year probationary period. This position is open to both internal and external candidates.
• WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org), including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlements, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days of annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.
• The selected candidates will be required to relocate to Brussels, Belgium to take up this assignment.

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 committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

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

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

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.