Foundations Specialist

Deadline for Applications9 January 2026‑23:59‑GMT01:00 Central European Time (Rome)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 WFPThe World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, 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.Why Join WFPWFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment.WFP invests in personal and professional development through training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programmes, as well as through internal mobility opportunities.A career at WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional and global offices and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people.We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).Job Title: Foundations SpecialistUNIT/DIVISION: Private Partnerships division (PSP) Org. UnitDuty Station: Rome HQContract Type: Short‑Term Regular Consultant CST‑IDuration: 11 monthsLine Manager/​Supervisor: Brett HanleyOrganisational ContextThe United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency working to create a world with zero hunger. WFP and its partners believe that no child should go to bed hungry and that individual and collective well‑being can only be achieved if all children, women and men get the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, dignified lives. WFP works with partners to strengthen the resilience of communities most vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition through long‑term development programmes aimed at boosting food security, local economies, education, employment and gender equality.WFP works in over 120 countries and territories. In 2022, WFP supported 160 million people – the largest number of people assisted in its history. WFP has up to 6 500 trucks, 20 ships and 140 planes on the move every day delivering food and other assistance in some of the most remote and challenging parts of the world. WFP delivered 4.8 million metric tons of food in 2022 (the equivalent weight of 53 000 whales). WFP provides support to school feeding programmes in over 80 countries, directly reaching 20 million children. WFP also works with governments and other partners to bolster national school feeding programmes benefiting over 100 million additional schoolchildren.To fast‑track progress toward Zero Hunger, WFP is investing in and expanding private sector fundraising and partnerships to reach more people. This is an exciting opportunity for experienced professionals to co‑develop and implement the new global foundation engagement strategy as part of our new private partnerships and fundraising strategy.Purpose of the AssignmentWe are seeking a passionate individual to join our team and support the management of a portfolio of foundation partnerships to deliver excellence in relationship management, demonstrated through partner satisfaction, high retention and revenue growth. You will use and develop your relationship and project management skills to cultivate partnerships while supporting a partnership management team and a global network of partnership colleagues.Key ResponsibilitiesLead or support foundation partnership lifecycle for key accounts from business development to account management, growth and renewals, as determined by Foundation Teams’ needs.Support and liaise with COs, RBs and TUs on engagement with private foundations; lead on various core foundation account initiatives/projects from conception to completion.Support and liaise with WFP Country Offices, Regional Bureaux and Technical Units to write and review concept notes, develop proposals, review donor agreements, and brief leadership for signature.Support overall growth of global partnerships, including strategic documents, guidance and briefing documents for leadership engagement with foundations.Provide strategic support and customer service to WFP Friends organisations in particular WFP USA in pursuit and engagement of key foundation prospects in ways that abide by WFP corporate processes.Support the Foundations Team in defining roles, responsibilities and processes for fundraising in the US market both from existing and new partners.Liaise with HQ Legal and Finance Divisions as well as PSP Global Services to support proposal and agreement negotiation processes of prospects and new partners.Coordinate and manage periodic Salesforce exercises including the bi‑annual factsheet, the account status report and planning forecast exercises.Support the Foundations Team, its partners and wider PSP Division across various roles and activities, including log due diligence requests, produce cheat sheets, briefs and fact sheets for WFP senior management, and learning documents for field colleagues as appropriate for accounts supported.Update and maintain accounts on Salesforce and all knowledge‑management tools for accounts supported.Document management and use of Salesforce for improved tracking of opportunities.Help conduct research on private foundations as needed and identify partnership opportunities that advance strategic priorities.Help identify suitable networking opportunities and events to connect WFP leadership with partner and prospect foundations.Deliverables at the End of the ContractSuccessful negotiation of new initiatives/grants.Successful support in the maintenance and growth of current partnerships/relationships.Updated Salesforce exercises including bi‑annual factsheet, account status report and planning forecast.Updated foundation account entries on Salesforce for accounts supported and for new accounts as needed.At least two thematic narratives for foundations.Updated account strategies, guidance briefs and cheat sheets as needed.Support the Foundations Team and wider division on knowledge‑management processes when needed.Qualifications and Experience RequiredWork HistoryAt least 4 years of demonstrated experience in a partnership role or project management. Successful internships or work experience in fundraising, account management, project management and/or marketing/sales is essential. Knowledge of the humanitarian/development sector is desirable.EducationUniversity degree in International Relations, Business Administration, Management, Marketing or other related fields.Soft SkillsExcellent written and oral communication skills and client‑focused orientation.Detail‑oriented; ability to effectively collect, analyse, organise, distill and present information concisely.Team‑player who works well with different personalities and takes responsibility for individual work.Exercises discretion and judgment, identifying issues to raise to supervisors and leadership for input and/or information.Strong customer‑service mentality and interpersonal skills with ability to cultivate relationships; enjoys working in a team environment.Familiarity with Salesforce or other customer‑relationship management systems.Experience simultaneously working on multiple projects with deadlines; comfortable managing up and asking for help when needed.Curious about the organisation’s mission and activities and how to identify areas of mutual interest with private sector partners.Highly adaptable to change, comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment with ambiguity and competing demands with grace and humour.LanguagesFluency in oral and written English. Knowledge of a second UN language is desirable.WFP Leadership FrameworkWFP Leadership Framework guides the common standards of behaviour that guide how we work together to accomplish our mission.Click Here to Access WFP Leadership FrameworkClick here to access WFP Leadership FrameworkReasonable AccommodationWFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation please contact:No Fee DisclaimerThe 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 ApplicationAll applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs or spontaneous applications by email.If you experience challenges while submitting your online application please contact us at for technical support only.Please note that applications sent to this email address cannot be considered.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.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.Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.All employment decisions are made on the basis of 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, 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.#J-18808-Ljbffr