DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

19 January 2025-23:59-GMT-05:00 Eastern Time (New York)

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).

JOB TITLE:

External Engagement and Partnerships Officer

TYPE OF CONTRACT:

Consultancy

UNIT/DIVISION:

School Meals and Social Protection Service (PPGS)

DUTY STATION (City, Country):

New York, United States of America

DURATION:

11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

For more than 60 years, WFP has been the leading organization in supporting countries with their school meals programmes, which are widely prevalent throughout the world.

In 2020, WFP launched a 10-year strategy for school meals. WFP advocates for the universal adoption of school meals programmes as a safety net that helps increase children’s access to education and learning opportunities and strengthens their health and nutrition. WFP focused increasingly on helping countries to establish and maintain nationally owned programmes. In countries still requiring WFP’s operational support, it implements school meals programmes with clear hand over strategies.

In 2021, WFP efforts to helping countries to establish and maintain nationally owned programmes as well as implementing school meals programmes with clear transition strategies, were taken to the next level with the launch of the School Meals Coalition (SMC) at the Food Systems Summit. WFP ensures the Secretariat of the SMC.

Through this vacancy announcement, WFP is seeking to hire a qualified and experienced individual to serve as External Engagement and Partnerships Officer for the School Meals Coalition Secretariat Team. The position is based in New York.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Head of the School Meals Coalition Secretariat Coordination Team, and working closely with other Secretariat team members, the consultant will serve as the main focal point of the School Meals Coalition Secretariat in New York. This includes:

Engaging with New York-based government representatives of the School Meals Coalition Task Force and Working Group. This includes:

• Acting as the main focal point of the Coalition for the representatives of its members in New York, liaising regularly with the representatives of the co-chairs,at the technical level, to ensure they are updated on the developments of the Coalition and the opportunities for engagement.
• Organizing meetings of the SMC Task Force representatives in New York, as required, in a way that advances the agenda of the Coalition. This includes helping set the agenda of these meetings in coordination with the SMC Secretariat team in Rome, preparing briefs, power point presentations, talking points, notes-for-the-record, for approval and dissemination to the appropriate audience.
• Leading the provision of a range of support services including meeting follow-up actions, resolution of issues, quality and timely availability of SMC materials, for the effective functioning of operations.

Engaging with the School Meals Coalition Partners’ Group. This includes:

• Organizing meetings of the SMC Partners’ Group, including those based in New York, and beyond, remotely, in a way that advances the agenda of the Coalition. This includes helping set the agenda of these meetings in coordination with the SMC Secretariat in Rome, preparing briefs, power point presentations, talking points, notes-for-the-record, for approval and dissemination to the appropriate audience.
• Leading the provision of a range of support services including meeting follow-up actions, resolution of issues, quality and timely availability of SMC materials.

Engaging, bilaterally, with partners and allies based in New York and Washington DC, including Foundations and private sector actors. This includes cultivating key contacts at the UN Secretariat and partner UN agencies.

Identifying and managing advocacy and communications opportunities to position school meals on policy processes and key events, such as the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as well as any other relevant events for the Coalition. This includes:

• Proactively mapping, identifying and seizing advocacy opportunities and events, that can help accelerate the school meals agenda. Beyond events, this includes keeping abreast of relevant policy processes for school meals and recommending appropriate engagement tactics.
• Developing and executing advocacy and communications plans, including drafting and sharing of materials, such as briefings, and news pieces.
• Drafting concept notes, agendas, slide decks, key messages, talking points for events, as well as notes for the record.
• Providing strategic advice to SMC members, partners and WFP leadership involved in events.

Supporting the organisation of global SMC-led initiatives, such as the School Meals Coalition Week or similar. This includes helping develop the concept note, agenda and coordinate specific sessions. It requires coordinating with involved SMC members and partners and developing the materials required, such as slide decks, talking points and notes for the record.

Compiling and updating a list of contacts in New York and Washington DC.

Performing any other duties in support of the School Meals Coalition Secretariat team.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

Deliverables to include:

• SMC Partners’ meetings organized with New York-based representatives and beyond, remotely (Target: five per year).
• At least two events organized successfully.
• Contribute to a partnership tracker to follow up on initiatives with each stakeholder.
• Contribute to the overall external engagement, communications and advocacy efforts of the School Meals Coalition Secretariat.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced University degree in Social Science, Political Science, Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or relevant field or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience:

Minimum of 7 year of related experience in communication, partnerships or advocacy.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong knowledge of sustainable development project management, high-level partnerships, communications campaigns and advocacy.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Proven track record of executing successful high-level activities and events for diverse stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of UN processes and key actors.
• Ability to guide the design of clear and compelling advocacy briefs/products and find innovative ways of outreach/engagement.
• Understanding of the dynamics of intra-organizational communications within large international organizations.
• Excellent oral and writing skills.
• Prior experience in writing and editing long-form content, including but not limited to articles, blogs, newsletters and managing social media.
• Well organized and detail oriented.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• 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.

Languages:

Working arrangements:

Fluency (level C) in English language (mother tongue is a plus).

Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish.

This position is expected to be based in New York, United States of America

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 dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

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

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements