Partnerships Officer

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 22 November 2026-23:59-GMT+01:00 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 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 extreme weather shocks. 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](https://www.wfp.org) and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/worldfoodprogramme), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unwfp/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/worldfoodprogramme/), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/WorldFoodProgramme/), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/WFP?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor), [TikTok](http://www.tiktok.com/@worldfoodprogramme?lang=en). 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.
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We offer
an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement). JOB TITLE: Partnerships Officer UNIT/DIVISION: Private Partnerships Division (PSP) DUTY STATION: Rome, Italy CONTRACT TYPE: Short-Term, Regular Consultant Level 1, full time DURATION: 7 months LINE MANAGER/SUPERVISOR: Novo Nordisk Foundation Partnerships Manager (CSTII) ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency working to create a world with zero hunger. As the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, WFP delivers food assistance in emergencies and works with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience for the long term. WFP believes that individual and collective wellbeing can only be achieved if all children, women, and men get the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, dignified lives. WFP also 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. While hunger and malnutrition are the world’s largest solvable issues, the needs are still immense and growing. WFP’s Private Partnerships Division (PSP) 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 public worldwide. Joining PSP is an exciting opportunity for experienced professionals to co-develop and implement our new private partnerships and fundraising strategy. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT The Private Partnerships Division (PSP) is seeking a motivated professional to join its Partnership Management Team in a support role to the Novo Nordisk Foundation Partnership Manager, while also contributing to the management of other corporate partnerships. Corporate foundations, including the Novo Nordisk Foundation, play an important role in advancing zero hunger by enabling WFP to strengthen food systems, expand school meals, and enhance technical assistance to governments. This role focuses on providing high-quality partnership stewardship, coordination, and operational support to the Novo Nordisk Foundation Partnership Manager, including support to donor engagement, internal coordination, grant management, reporting, and the development of partnership products. The consultant will also contribute to a wider portfolio of corporate partnerships as needed, helping ensure timely follow-up, strong internal alignment, and high-quality partner stewardship. Based in Rome, the selected candidate will report to the Novo Nordisk Foundation Partnership Manager and join PSP’s Partnership Management team, relevant technical units, and country and regional offices to support the effective management and growth of private-sector partnerships that contribute to the achievement of SDG2. ACCOUNTABILITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES Support the management of WFP’s relationship with the Novo Nordisk Foundation and contribute to the effective stewardship of other corporate partnerships.
- Support the Novo Nordisk Foundation Partnership Manager in the day-to-day management of the partnership, helping coordinate priorities, follow-up actions, and a coherent “one WFP” approach.
- Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to support timely communication, issue resolution, and strong partner stewardship.
- Support the coordination of the Foundation-funded portfolio, including tracking implementation progress, risks, dependencies, and compliance requirements across teams.
- Contribute to the development of partnership strategies, pipelines, and growth opportunities by gathering information, analysing partner priorities, and preparing briefing materials.
- Draft and coordinate key partnership products, including proposals, reports, briefs, presentations, and senior leadership materials, for review by the Partnership Manager.
- Support the identification and development of new funding and collaboration opportunities by coordinating inputs and helping shape concept notes and proposals.
- Support the strategic expansion of the Acute Humanitarian Grants portfolio by ensuring aligned outreach with the Nordics Office and supporting grant management including contracting and reporting.
- Assisting in strengthening synergies across Foundation-supported initiatives and related partnerships to improve coherence, complementarity, and knowledge sharing.
- Support partnership governance, planning, documentation, donor engagement, missions, visibility activities, and strategic communications.
- Maintain accurate partnership records, trackers, and background materials to support decision-making, reporting, and institutional memory. Support a portfolio of corporate partners through coordination, drafting, tracking, and relationship management support aligned with WFP’s strategic priorities.
- Support the development of high-quality proposals, concept notes, reports, and partnership materials by coordinating inputs across Country Offices, Regional Offices, and technical teams.
- Contribute to the identification of opportunities for partnership growth, including new funding and non-funding collaborations, through research, analysis, and internal coordination.
- Serve as a coordination focal point for assigned partnerships, helping align stakeholders, monitor follow-up actions, and support the effective delivery of corporate-funded projects.
- Contribute to team priorities through assigned projects and other responsibilities, as required. DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT
- Timely and well-coordinated support provided to the management of the Novo Nordisk Foundation partnership and other assigned corporate partnerships, including follow-up on actions, stakeholder coordination, and day-to-day stewardship tasks.
- Organized partnership tracking and documentation systems maintained, including records of key actions, deadlines, reporting requirements, risks, and decisions, to support smooth portfolio oversight and institutional memory.
- High-quality draft reports, briefs, presentations, talking points, and other partnership materials prepared in a timely manner to support donor engagement, internal coordination, and grant management processes.
- Effective coordination support provided for Foundation-funded activities, including progress monitoring, compliance follow-up, input consolidation, and liaison with relevant teams across WFP.
- Knowledge and communication products developed to help capture and share results, good practices, and lessons learned from Foundation-supported and other corporate partnerships.
- Background research, partner intelligence, and concept development inputs compiled to support the identification and advancement of partnership and funding opportunities.
- Administrative and operational support provided for key partnership processes, including meetings, missions, reviews, renewals, visibility activities, and other engagement opportunities as required. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Education University degree in International Affairs, Business Administration, Public Health, Nutrition, Social Sciences, or other relevant field. Experience
- At least five years of relevant professional experience in partnerships, business development, resource mobilisation, project management, programme support, and/or account management.
- Experience supporting partnership management processes, including donor coordination, reporting, proposal development, stakeholder engagement, and internal follow-up.
- Experience working with private-sector or foundation partners is highly desirable; familiarity with corporate foundations, including the Novo Nordisk Foundation, is an asset.
- Experience in grant coordination, partnership tracking, and the preparation of donor-facing materials is desirable.
- Experience working in humanitarian and development contexts.
- Knowledge of partnership and/ or programme management processes is desirable. Knowledge & Skills
- Strong organizational, planning, and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, track follow-up actions, and meet deadlines.
- Excellent drafting and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize information and prepare clear, accurate, and compelling partnership materials.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and the ability to organize complex information for decision-making and reporting.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders in multicultural and decentralized environments, with sound judgment, tact, and adaptability.
- Knowledge of partnership, grant, or programme management processes, including support to reporting, monitoring, documentation, and learning.
- Ability to work independently while supporting team priorities and escalating issues appropriately.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Language(s) Excellent command of spoken and written English 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](http://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000157166/download/) REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  [global.inclusion@wfp.org](mailto:global.inclusion@wfp.org?subject=Reasonable%20Accommodation%20request) 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
- All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.
- We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once

your profile
is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
- If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at [global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org](http://global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org). Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application
- unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.
- At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process. *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.*