WFP recruits a Partnership and Communications Consultant (106313) – Lusaka / Zambia
About WFP :
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.
Standard minimum qualifications :
Education : Advanced University degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Economics, Marketing Communications or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
Experience :
- Has implemented the resource mobilization and communications activities by delivering specific activities as defined ;
- Has participated and assisted in negotiations for contributions and partnership agreements with donors and host governments, in line with internal policies and external regulations ;
- Has assisted in drafting donors reports, resourcing analysis and collaborated with accurate and timely briefs.
Language : International Professional: Fluency (level C) in English and French language .
Organisational context :
Zambia is a low middle-income country with a population of 17.6 million people. Despite economic progress poverty levels have remained high with 54.4 percent of the population living below the poverty threshold, of which 76.6 percent live in rural areas. The 2017 Global Hunger Index Report ranks Zambia 115th out of 119 countries, with an index score of 38.2 indicating an “alarming” situation.
Close consultations with the Government of Zambia on developing a roadmap towards zero hunger through a nationally owned Strategic Review is ongoing and will lead to a Country Strategic Plan (CSP). WFP’s support in Zambia has focused mainly on downstream programme delivery with increased engagement in social protection including Home Grown School Meals, smallholder productivity and market access and nutrition. From July 2019, WFP Zambia will start the implementation of the 5-year Country Strategic Plan which provides a framework for WFP’s engagement in Zambia aimed at strengthening national systems and capacities to address the determinants of hunger. To achieve progress, programme results need to be properly documented and communicated for learning. In addition, there is a renewed focus by WFP Zambia to strengthen advocacy and awareness around the nutrition and the role of national social assistance programmes in achieving Zero Hunger.
It is against this background that WFP seeks to engage a Communications and Partnerships Officer, reporting to the Country Director and heading the Partnerships and Communications unit, to raise the profile of WFP Zambia Country Office and enhance visibility and support for WFP activities with government and private sector donors.
Job purpose :
- To contribute to the development of new and existing partnerships in order to advocate the work of WFP and raise and mobilize resources to support WFP programmes in Zambia ;
- To implement the communications plan by supporting and delivering a range of communications activities, providing research and analysis, and prioritizing effectively.
Key accountabilities :
- Execute the work plan for assigned area by delivering activities that maintain and develop partnerships in order to maximize resources raised for the programme ;
- Contribute to the management of a portfolio of partnerships, soliciting contributions, providing donor stewardship, and analyzing results, in order to maximize resources raised ;
- As head of partnerships and communications unit, provide reporting and communications support to technical units as required, in order to assist them to effectively mobilize donor resources ;
- Prepare briefs on resourcing issues for the Country Director ;
- participate and assist in negotiations for contributions and partnership agreements, in line with internal policies and external regulations, in order to reach advantageous outcomes, such as more flexibility and predictability ;
- Collate and analyze data for the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on donors and programmes, to enable informed decision-making and action planning by senior stakeholders ;
- Proactively contribute to ideas and highlight fundraising opportunities to managers for new strategies to maintain and increase funding from new and traditional donors ;
- Prepare and provide regular information to educate new and potential donors on the strategy, design, relevance and impact of WFP programmes, and to advocate the work of WFP ;
- Represent WFP at meetings at appropriate levels in such a way that advances the government partnerships strategy and objectives and builds support for WFP activities ;
- Prepare and provide inputs for briefing documents for management meetings with donors ;
- Maintain effective relationships with representatives of government donors through appropriate channels, and coordinate donor meetings, attending where required ;
- Coordinate work with the Programme team and the Budget and Programming Officer to ensure flow of information and ensure donor visibility and that donor conditions are met ;
- Implement country specific communication work plans designed to maintain and enhance the visibility and reputation of WFP ;
- Support the social media plan by developing social media content, and utilizing platforms, networks and partners to enhance coverage and support of WFP’s activities ;
- Generate donor specific visibility content including, text, photos, videos and audio for use across a range of integrated online platforms, in order to support country fund-raising activities, ensuring consistency with corporate messages ;
- Other as required.
Knowledge & Skills :
Relationship Management : Demonstrates ability to build and sustain effective collaborative relationships with appropriate stakeholders and contacts in area of expertise to raise the profile of WFP, build relationships and further organizational aims.
Communication Expertise : Facilitates and contributes to open verbal or written communication with stakeholders as required (i.e. through preparation of targeted written or visual communications materials, presentations, and official documentation) to convey tailored messages. Engages in mutually informative discussion with partners and influencers.
Information Analytics, Reporting & Management
Gathers, analyses and reports information in a manner that draws out fact-based insights to inform approach to partner relationships and support substantive discussion with partners. Captures relevant information and progress, and ensures internal information sharing.
Resource Mobilization : Provides resourcing advice and briefs to senior managers, leading medium/large teams and strategically allocating material and other appropriate resources.
Deadline for applications :
31 July 2019
