Private Partnership Consultant

Job description / Role

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's leading humanitarian organisation fighting hunger worldwide. WFP’s Private Partnerships Division (PGP) division is looking for a motivated individual to join WFP’s Gulf Partnerships Team in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to help engage the private sector across the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Europe through high-value, strategic partnerships. Length of contract: 11 months renewable.

The private sector is uniquely qualified to play a leadership role in ending hunger. Some of the largest and most respected brands in the world – such as MasterCard, Royal DSM and YUM! Brands – are helping achieve ‘zero hunger’ by enabling WFP to strengthen operations, reach more people, fund lifesaving programs and build public support. They choose to partner with WFP because of WFP’s reach, scale and track record to create innovative partnerships that leverage their unique strengths and create lasting impact.

The Private Partnership Consultant will be responsible for the following work activities:
• Implement and update WFP’s Private Sector Fundraising Strategy for the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, managing forecasts for the entire region and compiling relevant market insights.
• Ensure renewal and supervision of a portfolio of partnerships, soliciting contributions, providing on-going stewardship and assessing results in order to maximise resourcing raised for WFP.
• Maintain and grow existing partnerships with companies and foundations based in the Middle East and supporting WFP through funding, advocacy and knowledge.
• Leverage fundraising networks, identify new prospects and build new strategic partnerships with companies and foundations in key markets - with a primary focus on the Gulf region - to help meet WFP’s funding and capacity building needs in the region and beyond.
• Nurture and expand WFP’s fundraising infrastructure in the Gulf region to ensure that all fundraising campaigns and events are facilitated/authorised by the relevant authorities.
• Provide strategic and technical guidance to WFP Country Offices across the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Europe to help them build meaningful partnerships of the local private sector to support their own operations while abiding by WFP’s rules and regulations.
• Coach and provide guidance to junior staff and WFP colleagues posted in Gulf countries prone to help engage private sector prospects locally.
• Develop presentations, funding proposals and partnerships concepts in coordination with WFP technical units and field operations for potential partners.
• Handle complex sales processes and help negotiate advantageous contributions.
• Manage and select fundraising efforts and initiatives including, but not limited to cause-related marketing campaigns, emergency appeals and employee fundraising campaigns;
• Liaise with in-house services to ensure proper fund management, grant registrations and fulfilment of contractual obligations
• Help organise key events and meetings.
• Provide private sector partnership updates for WFP publications and website and draft communication plans as needed;

Requirements

Education:
• Advanced University Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Management, Communication, Law or international relations

Experience:
• At least 8 years of professional experience in relevant areas is essential (e.g. fundraising, community engagement, CSR, marketing/sales, account management).
• Knowledge of the Gulf and MENA market including local fundraising laws is a must
• Knowledge of the humanitarian/development sector is a plus

Technical Skills & Knowledge:
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English language are a must.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication and advocacy skills.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage sales processes.
• Computer skills in Office applications: proficiency in Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Strong proven experience in Cause Related Marketing campaigns.
• Ability to handle multiple projects/tasks within deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment and international organization is essential.

Language:
• Fluency in oral and written English is a must.
• Fluency in oral and written Arabic is a plus.

About the Company

The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.

In emergencies, we get food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After the cause of an emergency has passed, we use food to help communities rebuild their shattered lives.

WFP is part of the United Nations system and is voluntarily funded.

Born in 1961, WFP pursues a vision of the world in which every man, woman and child has access at all times to the food needed for an active and healthy life. We work towards that vision with our sister UN agencies in Rome -- the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) -- as well as other government, UN and NGO partners.

On average, WFP reaches more than 80 million people with food assistance in 82 countries each year. 11,367 people work for the organization, most of them in remote areas, directly serving the hungry poor.