Partnerships Officer (Business Development Specialist), CST II, RBDakar

🚩 Vacancy Announcement n°: 664075

📢 Job Title: Partnerships Officer (Business Development Specialist)

✨ Contract type and Grade: Regular Consultant Level II (Full time)

📧 Duration: 11 months 

✅ Unit / Division: Partnerships & Reporting Unit

📍   Duty Station: Regional Bureau Dakar, Senegal

⏰ Closing date: 03 April 2023

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.

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. Female Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, operates in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger. 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: UN World Food Programme (WFP), and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news:  YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

 
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

The partnerships team at the Dakar Regional Office strives to mobilize funding, technical assistance, innovative solutions, awareness and visibility to help WFP fulfil its mission, while offering the public and private sector the opportunity to Government’s towards their ambitions to reach zero hunger. WFP’s Private Partnerships and Fundraising strategy (2020-2025) focuses on cooperation with the business sector, foundations, and individuals to drive towards zero hunger through three key pillars:

1. Impact: partnerships that provide expertise and skills to support capacity strengthening for WFP and Governments
2. Income: investing in and growing fundraising from the private sector
3. Innovation: identifying areas for innovation – particularly with businesses –uniquely able to drive change at scale.

In close alignment with the global strategy, RBD has developed a regional plan to support Country Offices in the West Africa Bureau to engage companies, foundations, and individuals to continue driving impact, income and innovation for WFP’s programmes in the region. This regional plan is supported by a regional landscape analysis that was undertaken in 2021.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Pillar one of the strategy is dedicated to catalysing “impact” partnerships with the private sector. This means that WFP will build on its success and 15 years of experience in co-creating technical partnerships with the private sector to form best-in-class technical partnerships aimed at increasing local level impact.

Of the nineteen country offices (COs) only five have both a strong local private sector and private sector interest in engaging with WFP - Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Benin. In these countries there is potential to engage the private sector around WFP’s changing lives agenda.  Other COs in the region e.g., Chad, Mali, Niger are more focused on the saving lives agenda. While there is less potential for local-local PS engagement; there may be opportunities to target corporate foundations focused on Emergencies/ humanitarian response. 

The Consultant will execute on the regional business development strategy by proactively identifying target top prospects for WFP and developing value propositions that are matched to income and impact prospects.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Update the Business Development strategy and develop understanding of internal/external needs to develop value propositions (VP).
2. Identify local and regional prospects and ensure that headquarters and global offices are aware of the VPs so that they can approach their markets to develop partnerships to support as well.
3. Identify and prospect high value potential regional partners to secure technical support including the co-design process: Work collaboratively as part of the new business team in headquarters to selectively identify, research and screen target corporates, develop successful approaches for potential new partners including relationship and network mapping
4. Support WFP and external awareness events to drive new business with a particular focus on impact partnerships that also have an income component: support events (such as conferences, forums, panels, and roundtables) convening multinational corporates to position WFP as a ‘go to’ organization for impact partnerships.

5. Development of a “pitch-deck” with value positions for successful approaches as well as other materials to support senior-level meetings with prospects and potential partners.
6. Negotiation preparation: preparation of briefs to support preparations for negotiations with new partners, and, where appropriate, participate in negotiations, secure contracts, and agree on partnership expectations.
7. Research key markets in the region (Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Cameroon and Senegal) to identify areas with greatest potential for large scale acquisition and understand the creative drivers that will secure best returns against investments
8. In coordination with global teams and Friends’ organization, plan, execute, evaluate and systematize partner engagement campaigns that will serve to test scalable models.
9. Identify gaps in content and create an ongoing plan to ensure a continuous supply of high-quality content with the appropriate consent.

DESIRED ORGANIZATIONAL AND FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

• Understand and communicate WFP’s Strategic Objectives: utilizes understanding of WFP’s Strategic Objectives to communicate linkages to team objectives and work.
• Make WFP’s mission visible: help colleagues to see the link between individual tasks and contributions to the broader context of WFP’s mission.
• Be clear about the value WFP bring to partnerships demonstrates ability to articulate to internal and external audience the value that individual contributions and immediate teams bring to partnerships.
• Be politically agile & adaptable: demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving circumstances and expectations.
• Gender approach: takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.
• Risk management: contributes to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitoring the management of risks.

Education:

You have

Advanced university degree (Master's degree equivalent, BAC+4/5), recognized by https://www.whed.net/home.php in Business Management, Marketing Communications or other relevant field, OR a first university degree (Bachelor's degree equivalent, BAC +3) in the same disciplines with additional years of experience.

Experience:

You have:

At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional post graduate experience working in sales and/or business development with a focus on consumer engagement and consumer facing initiatives. At least 4 years of these should be in the Agri-food industry, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Industry, Banking or Fintech

Knowledge and Skills

• Understand and communicate WFP’s Strategic Objectives: utilizes understanding of WFP’s Strategic Objectives to communicate linkages to team objectives and work.
• Make WFP’s mission visible: help colleagues to see the link between individual tasks and contributions to the broader context of WFP’s mission.
• Be clear about the value WFP bring to partnerships demonstrates ability to articulate to internal and external audience the value that individual contributions and immediate teams bring to partnerships.
• Be politically agile & adaptable: demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving circumstances and expectations.
• Gender approach: takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.
• Risk management: contributes to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitoring the management of risks.

Languages:

Fluency (level C in reading, writing and speaking) in English and French.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

1. A minimum of five (5) years' demonstrated experience in partnership development, business development, marketing, or business-to-business sales roles, including experience of creating $1m+large-scale fundraising partnerships.
2. Extensive sales and marketing experience in research, planning, preparing and landing pitches and negotiating with potential partners/clients - proven track record of successful negotiations with global enterprises.
3. Experience of building a new pipeline with a positive attitude towards engaging new audiences. Network of corporate contacts in key markets which will be used to support establishment of prospecting pipeline, would be an asset.
4. Previous experience of building new propositions or 'products' for the private sector that reflect current trends and interests.
5. Demonstrated track record of securing 6 and 7 figure multi-year partnerships from prospect identification and research to agreement in the non-profit or business sectors.
6. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to cultivate relationships.
7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
8. Ability to explain complex issues to external partners, presenting the organization and diverse operations in a compelling manner, including when to leverage.
9. Experience of internal stakeholders in a sales pitch; understanding of how to align the needs and interests of the organization with those of a corporate partner.
10. The ideal candidate will also be highly adaptable to change and comfortable dealing with  ambiguity, stress and competing demands with grace and humor.
11. Hands-on experience in sales in both structured and unstructured environments with the knack to closing deals.
12. Hands-on experience of implementing digital acquisition and / or e-commerce, retention, and marketing programmes.
13. Good understanding of how to maximize supporter/customer experience through digital channels.
14. Results based mindset
15. Continuous improvement mindset
16. Able to work in a multiple stakeholder environment with strong influencing skills
17. Demonstrable experience and exposure to working in a start-up’s where work plans and appeals are fluid while we determine where to scale.

Knowledge & Skills requirements: 

• Knowledge and awareness of private sector funding issues, strategies and institutions across various program areas and geographies in West Africa
• Excellent oral, facilitation, and written communication skills, able to effectively synthesize information to reach diverse audiences and build consensus.
• Ability to work at fast pace and under tight deadlines
• Ability to think creatively, proactively, strategically, and problem-solve with flexibility and adaptability
• Ability to manage and coordinate projects involving a broad range of stakeholders
• Ability to be self-guided and work effectively and comfortably with sensitivity across barriers such as language, culture, and distance.
• High capacity for organization and coordination
• Excellent drafting skills
• Sound interpersonal skills
• Strong negotiation and advocacy skills

 Deadline for application: 03 April 2023

WFP Value Proposition

• Meaningful and impactful careers - Our day-to-day work makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve.
• Continuous learning and training - We provide learning tools for our staff to continually develop their careers.
• Multicultural and stimulating working environment - We encourage gender and cultural diversity to make our teams stronger.

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU APPLY

• All employment decisions are made based on organisational 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, Join 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.
• 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.
•  Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance
• WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.
• WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
• All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.

Special Notice on WFP RBD office relocation:

WFP and other UN Agencies will be moving to the new United Nations House, presently under construction in Diamniadio, 30 kilometres from downtown Dakar. The name of the duty station for this position will remain Dakar, Senegal.

Special recommendation:

Before you apply, please confirm that both (i) your on-line profile and CV are accurate and up to date, (ii) your CV should include your employment history, academic qualifications, and language skills.