Partnership Officer - Innovative Financing Specialist

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

1 May 2025-23:59-GMT-05:00 Eastern Standard Time (Panama)

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).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The World Food Programme (WFP) is committed to transforming its approach to partnerships through innovative financing models, amongst other models. As part of this effort, WFP’s Global Partnership Strategy aims to protect, grow, and diversify its partnership portfolio by: (i) strengthening existing high-impact partnerships, (ii) forging new partnerships and innovations, and (iii) expanding its funding sources. These goals are essential in ensuring WFP’s continued ability to deliver on its mission, particularly in addressing the increasing complexity of global food security challenges.

Recognizing the risks of its dependency on a small number of resource partners and reliance on traditional fundraising models, the World Food Programme (WFP) aims to diversify its funding while protecting and enhancing its current partnerships and reputation as a partner of choice. Tapping into the wider global financing landscape with new and different partnering modalities requires a concerted cross-functional approach with a strong emphasis on the field and recognition of the importance of strategic and targeted communications in underpinning the process.

A new Corporate Critical Initiative (CCI) supports Regional Bureaus and Country Offices (COs) efforts to diversify funding by increasing and supplementing capacities in the field for identifying new and different partnerships and pursuing new partners and types of partnership. Direct support needs to be provided to COs for the development of well-informed resourcing plans and the definition of high-quality value propositions for partner engagement.

In alignment with this global strategy, the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (RBP) has developed a Regional Partnership Strategy (2025-2028) that emphasizes leveraging strategic partnerships and market trends to unlock new funding opportunities. This includes incubating innovative ideas, scaling successful initiatives, and leveraging partnerships to unlock new funding opportunities, such as public-private partnerships, mobilizing additional resources and creating sustainable solutions.

Innovative finance plays a key role in these efforts and is increasingly recognized as vital tools for addressing complex humanitarian and development challenges in the region, and WFP is committed to harnessing their potential. Through this consultancy, WFP aims to bolster its capacity to attract and mobilize additional resources, diversify funding sources, and leverage innovative financial tools that will drive meaningful change in the region.

This role will focus on connecting various channels of funding, including public and private sector partners, as well as International Financial Institutions (IFIs), to explore and unlock new opportunities for financing. The expert will be responsible for identifying, exploring and testing innovative financing mechanisms, including blended finance, impact investment, capital market solutions that support Governments in raising development funding from local and international markets, and other emerging financing models, to mobilize additional resources in support of programme country government’s efforts to achieve Zero Hunger and for WFP’s work in Latin America and the Caribbean. The consultant will report to the Regional Head of Partnerships and work in close coordination with Country Offices, HQ and other relevant stakeholders

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develop and implement a work plan to enable WFP to identify, develop and strengthen innovative financing partnerships (such as blended finance, impact investment, debt swaps, etc.) to support of WFP strategic objectives.
2. Proactively conduct research and mapping of potential partners (including through the use of the new Funding Initiatives and Resources Mapping (FIRM) tool, with the aim to maximize resources and leverage policy and technical support for WFP’s work; Ensure partner visibility and that partner conditions are met.
3. Scope, secure and connect various partners and channels of funding, including public and private sector partners, as well as International Financial Institutions (IFIs), to unlock new partnership models for financing.
4. Use data to drive business development and structure partnership models with new and existing partners, guided by programmatic assessment and context-specific analysis, with the aim to enhance the impact of WFP’s work and diversify the resource base.
5. Gather and share partner intelligence (including forecasting), using key information systems such as Salesforce and WFP’s internal finance platforms, to support informed decision-making.
6. Coordinate with different WFP teams and offices on WFP’s programmatic offering that can gain traction with partner audiences, Conduct analysis and draft quality briefs in support of outreach opportunities.
7. Coordinate and communicate with Multilateral and Programme Country Partnerships Division (MPC) and RBP IFI focal point for stronger support to Country Offices in their efforts to engage programme country governments and IFIs.
8. Provide inputs to partnerships strategies, including the development of Partnering and Resourcing Strategy; Draw up quality proposals and reports.
9. Facilitate corporate dialogue with partners through networking and information sharing; Proactively highlight strategic issues to senior managers and propose options for the best course of action to nurture trust and partnership growth.
10. Support the development of a regional financing strategy, Identifying key opportunities to expand funding sources in the region and defining strategic pathways for diversification..
11. Share best practices and lessons learned from financing initiatives to improve future efforts across WFP’s country and regional offices.
12. Actively support Head Quarters-(HQ) led Knowledge Management and Learning (KM&L) activities by using existing knowledge tools, supporting the development and dissemination of new knowledge products, participating in global KM&L initiatives, and ensuring alignment with HQ strategies.
13. Monitor progress and prepare reports on key financing initiatives, identifying successes, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.
14. Other as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

1. A detailed mapping of financing opportunities, including blended finance, impact investments, debt swaps, capital markets solutions (e.g., technical support towards issuance of thematic bonds), and other innovative financing mechanisms.
2. Develop an action plan for innovative financing in the region, including linkages between public, private, IFIs and other relevant partners.
3. Explore, identify and test innovative financing mechanisms in the region and capture best practices, lessons and learned and propose a roadmap to replicate and scale.
4. Proposals and concept notes formulated for Country Offices, with support provided for related negotiations with partners to advance the funding diversification effort.
5. A strategy paper outlining major diversification opportunities within the region and pathways to move towards diversification, including a mapping of existing and potential/new partnership opportunities in the region.
6. Contribution to a HQ-led toolkit for funding diversification, including templates and guidance
7. Support the rollout of HQ-led training on innovative financing by providing complementary guidance and technical assistance to Country Offices, ensuring alignment with regional priorities and operational needs.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced University degree in social sciences or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses

Experience:

5 years or more of relevant progressive work experience in partnerships, financing for development, blended financing, impact investment and other innovative funding mechanisms.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Has a deep understanding of the Latin America and Caribbean context, including market trends and key stakeholders that support innovative financing.

• Has led or developed innovative financing mechanisms, including blended financing, impact investments, bonds or other tools to bring resources to the SDGs through new fundraising models.

• Has a basic understanding of government priorities and experience in developing multi-stakeholder partnerships.

• Has explored new partnership opportunities, provided inputs into developing solutions with prospective partners and explored new areas to scale-up existing activities.

• Has designed and managed all resource mobilization processes and resource strategies, negotiated contract terms and provided resourcing advice to seniors.

• Has gained experience in using technology and digital tools for data collection, analysis and shared data-based insights to add value to all partnerships.

• Has supported creation of external communications and briefing materials.

Languages:

Fluency in English language and Spanish.

Terms and Conditions

Number of openings: 1

Based in: Panama City, Panama

Type of Contract: Service Contract

Level: 10

Duration: 12 months.

Only short-listed qualified candidates will receive an acknowledgement.

This position is open only to Panamanian citizens or residents with permanent work permit.

Individuals whose services are contracted under the SC (“SC holders”) are not WFP staff members, and their terms of employment are not governed by the FAO Staff Regulations and Rules.

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 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

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.