Internship – Strategic Projects

Director’s Office and Strategy Team, Private Partnerships and Fundraising Division (PPF), Rome, Italy

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.  We are currently seeking to fill a strategic projects intern position in the Director’s Office and Strategy Team unit of the Private Partnerships and Fundraising division (PPF), based in Rome, Italy.

The Private Partnerships and Fundraising Division (PPF) is responsible for engaging the private sector (corporations, individuals, foundations) through high-impact partnerships in support of WFP's strategic priorities, and through individual giving to build and retain support from the general public worldwide. PPF has embarked on an exceptionally ambitious new strategy 2020-2025 to raise an additional one billion dollars for hungry or malnourished people and to expand the contribution to WFP from the business sector through effective and sustainable long-term partnerships with corporations and foundations, as well as from private individual supporters around the world. This includes securing new high impact technical partnerships, signing significant new corporate and foundation partnerships, and growing existing relationships as well as building a base of one million individual supporters. WFP’s private sector approach is needs-based; with conflict, climate change and the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic driving needs up around the world, collaboration with the private sector is essential as WFP is called upon to reach many millions more worldwide.

Brief description of Director’s Office and Strategy Team, PPF:

The Director’s Office and Strategy Team (DOST) of the PPF division leads on cross-divisional initiatives to support achievement of WFP’s Private Sector Partnerships and Fundraising Strategy 2020-2025 (PSPF Strategy) goals. Working closely with PPF Director and in line with divisional priorities, the DOST collaborates with PPF teams, key WFP internal business unit partners, the WFP Executive Board, and strategic external stakeholders such as United Nations sister agencies. Core areas of work of the DOST are: demonstrating and communicating the impact of the PSPF Strategy within WFP (including leading on Executive Board engagement); progressing directors priorities and key divisional initiatives (including those linked to PPF’s involvement in organization-wide initiatives); and facilitating PPF’s internal communications and enhancing external engagement. Under leadership of PPF’s Senior Global Strategist and Head of the Director’s Office and Strategy Team, the team is comprised of a strategic relations coordinator and policy officer.

General Information

• Title of Post: Internship – Strategic Projects
• Supervisor: Policy Officer
• Unit:  Director’s Office and Strategy Team, PPF
• Country:  Italy
• Duty Station: Rome, Italy
• Duration of internship:  Six months
• Expected Start Date: 1 July 2022

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Policy Officer, the candidate will perform the following duties:

• Review and track developments and comparative organization practice regarding United Nations rules and regulations on pertinent topics (e.g. shared value, data privacy, conflict of interest, and others);
• Conduct ad-hoc research and provide summaries on evolving policy areas of relevance to PPF;
• Support leadership in meetings with key stakeholders i.e. Executive Board bilateral meetings, Legal Office, and other internal and external engagements by developing talking points, creating comprehensive meeting summaries, and others as required;
• Support inter-agency collaboration on private sector by attending joint-agency meetings, providing concise notes for follow-up on key workstreams;
• Support development of a divisional risk framework by assessing and mapping external risks against key areas of WFP’s private sector engagement;
• Support leadership and the team in coordination of relevant meetings and development of communication and engagement materials, as required;
• Attend webinars and seminars on relevant topics as available;
• Support on special projects and undertake additional responsibilities as required.

Qualifications and experience

• Currently enrolled with at least two years undergraduate studies completed, or recently graduated (within the past six months), in the field of international relations, business, management, public administration, or related areas of study;
• University course attendance in the past 12 months;
• Excellent command of English required; Working knowledge of a second UN language would be an asset;
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)

Required soft skills/WFP Competencies:

• Excellent attention to detail;
• Strong skills in writing and synthesis of information (English language);
• Strong communication skills, particularly in a remote-working and multicultural environments;
• Ability to plan and organize work with reasonable supervision;
• Ability to take initiative to solve problems and seek solutions;
• Uses tact and courtesy to give and receive information with a variety of individuals (people-oriented);
• Motivated team spirit and contribute to an inclusive and effective working environment (team-player).

Working Languages

Working knowledge of English (proficiency/level C) is required.

Supervision (Level/Methods of Supervision)

Under the direct supervision of the Policy Officer, the incumbent will be provided with close mentoring, guidance and technical supervision. Performance planning and reviews as well as learning and development discussions will be elemental part of the supervision. Head of the Director’s Office and Strategy team will be the second-level supervisor. With the support of a comprehensive induction package and assignment of a buddy/mentor, the intern will rapidly become a productive member of the team.

Training components

Throughout their assignment WFP interns have access to an industry leading learning platform, weLearn. Depending on opportunities and availability of funds, he/she may participate in WFP workshops or seminars, as appropriate.

Learning Elements

At the end of the assignment, the Intern should:

• Develop an understanding of how WFP, as a member of the United Nations system, engages with the private sector to deliver impact, income and innovation;
• Improve understanding of emerging areas of UN and private sector engagement, drawing on lessons learned from peer and compactor organizations, in areas e.g. shared value, conflict of interest with suppliers, data privacy, and others;
• Be able to identify and assess potential risks and associated risk mitigation actions related to private sector engagement;
• Develop advanced research and writing skills for a high-level audience, particularly for synthesizing research reports for briefs, summary notes, reports, and other uses.

Information on the Country of Assignment

• Living conditions in Rome, Italy

(Living conditions, security, health, etc)

The security situation in Italy remains in line with other European Countries. There are no specific threats against the UN in Italy. Considering the ongoing defeat of Daesh in the war territories, the trend in the short and mid-term will most likely continue to see the return of the militants to the countries of origins, including Italy. Insurrectional anarchism remains sufficiently organized on the Italian territory, as it has been present for many years. This movement could target the UN in the context of its anti-capitalism/anti-western narrative. 2) Whilst UN staff continue to be victims of minor crime such as street robbery and apartment break-ins, the infrequency of attacks and random nature of locations do not indicate that UN staff are at an elevated risk in comparison to residents or tourists in Italy. 3) Italy’s national territory is exposed to a broader range of natural hazards than any other European country. The vulnerability of its population and built environment is often severe and has in some cases been exacerbated by human activities. 

• Other relevant information

VA Reference no: 163162

Closing Date: 27 May 2022

Please note that the deadline is at 11:59 pm Rome time (GMT + 1)

Terms and Conditions:

• Interns receive a monthly stipend from WFP up to the maximum amount of US$1000 per month depending on the duty station of assignment.
• WFP is not responsible for living expenses, arrangements for accommodation, necessary visas and related costs.
• WFP will reimburse travel ticket for candidates who are nationals of developing countries and are pursuing their studies in their home country.
• WFP will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognised institutions that have been certified by competent international or national authorities such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) or Ministries of Education.
• Candidates who bear any of the following relations to WFP staff members are not eligible to apply: sons, daughters, brothers or sisters.

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.

Fighting Hunger Worldwide