Innovation Accelerator Communications Consultant - Scale Up Enablement

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the United Nations frontline agency fighting hunger. WFP reaches more than 80 million people every day - delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with smallholder farmers, communities and governments to improve nutrition and build resilience.

The WFP Innovation Accelerator has been named one of the top 10 innovative companies 2017 by FastCompany for operating a real startup accelerator to disrupt global hunger at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

It identifies, supports and scales high potential solutions to hunger worldwide - both WFP innovators and external start-ups with $50-100K cash, hands-on support by our New Venture Consultants and access to WFP's global operations in developing countries in a 3-6 month sprint programme. The most promising innovations are supported in scaling further. More information here: http://innovation.wfp.org and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnKkQlRdh2c.

Based in Munich, Germany, we are currently a team of 28 innovators, with over 20 different nationalities and a diverse background, e.g. as serial entrepreneurs, management/HCD consultants focused on building businesses or experts in developing country innovation. Lean start-up and human-centered design (HCD) approaches are at the core of everything we do.

We have built partnerships with leading innovation organisations such as Singularity University, XPRIZE and the German National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech). Several private sector partners and high-net-worth individuals support WFP in their work in disrupting global hunger, such as Google and others.

We support the next-level innovation for WFP’s operations, such as Building Blocks, using blockchain technology for e-wallets for people receiving cash-transfers;  EMPACT - connecting refugees to online work after a 12 week training; H2Grow / hydroponics, helps refugees grow food in desert areas or camps; FarmToMarketAlliance – an alliance between WFP and 7 private sector entities purchasing food from smallholder farmers and 

providing credit, and agricultural inputs as for profit business model,  or new startups that could help make a difference to end hunger.

As Accelerator team, we support other entrepreneurs (could be WFP innovators or external startups, NGOs, companies) to take their innovations to the next level – either getting ideas to the first proof of concept or already implemented solutions to the next scale-up.

Most of the team is based in Munich, Germany and some colleagues are based in locations such as Ethiopia, Lebanon and Kenya. Currently the Accelerator’s growing marketing, communication and partnerships team is comprised of 4 people.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Consultant, reporting to the Head of Business Development, is expected to:

1. Support development & implementation of a yearly communication strategy for the Innovation Accelerator:

• Carryout external communication on innovation and technology; develop and guide corporate and Accelerator-level communications priorities.
• Produce and maintain up to date communication material for the Innovation Accelerator, specific to audiences and both online and traditional channels.
• Liaise and manage press relations for both the Accelerator and Accelerator-supported innovations.
• Attract high-potential social innovations from within WFP and external networks through events, PR and digital marketing activities.
• Review all external communications materials, as aligned with the Head of Innovation Accelerator.
• Position the WFP Innovation Accelerator as industry/sector leaders by drafting and editing articles, blogs, press releases to promote Innovation Accelerator.

      2.  Support communication content creation for innovation projects which take part of the Innovation Accelerator:

• Identify stories and major communications moments; lead content gathering, creation and marketing.
• Assist with project reporting requirements and information management between the Accelerator, project leads and external parties.
• Support innovation projects with communication advice and prepare communication material as required.

      3.  Support other partnerships, communications and events needs as required;

• Support the Accelerator’s fundraising activities and participation at external events;
• Assist the Head of Innovation Accelerator, as well as Director of Innovation and Change Management with other activities as required.
• Liaise with the Innovation and Change Management Division’s Communications Officer, and the Government and Private Sector Partnerships Divisions as required;
• Support core processes of the Accelerator (e.g. innovation challenge; bootcamps; sprint programme; thought leadership; innovation fund) as required;
• Execute any other task required to support the activities of the Innovation Accelerator.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Ensure that all work and materials developed during the contract are well documented and available to the WFP Innovation Accelerator team.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: The candidate must have a undergraduate degree; a degree in business, communications or international development preferred.

Experience: At least 5 years of progressively responsible national and/or international experience in fundraising, partnerships, communications, reporting and/or business-related positions. Experience in innovation and change management is beneficial.

Knowledge & Skills:  

1. Experience in communication within a global organisation required
2. Strong conceptual thinking to develop new communication strategies and coordinate projects
3. Ability to produce high-quality written materials, including graphically-based PowerPoint presentations as well as text documents;
4. Ability to interact with leaders and external audiences with maturity and tact;
5. Collaborative spirit able to liaise with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures and to act with credibility and diplomacy;
6. Strong time management skills with an ability to plan ahead, anticipate requirements, problems and obstacles, and an ability to juggle competing priorities successfully, and to work to tight deadlines;
7. Self-motivated and able to work with a high degree of autonomy;
8. Fully committed and motivated to achieve the aims of the UN World Food Programme;
9. Willing to work in and travel to different field locations and challenging operating environments.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English required. Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language is beneficial.

Due to the large number of applicants, WFP will only revert back to applicants who have been shortlisted for interviews for the specific role.

Only applications fully completed on the WFP career website will be considered.

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 19 December 2019

Ref.: VA No. 108394

Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status

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.