Partnerships Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: ACKWWFP/0810/202633

Partnerships Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: ACKWWFP/0810/202633

Kuwait City (Kuwait)

Job Description
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.

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.

Please note that this vacancy announcement is being issued internally and externally.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

This is a national position, open exclusively to Kuwaiti nationals, based in the WFP Kuwait Office (Country Office). The post reports to the Head of Office.

The job holder primarily carries out day-to-day partnerships activities and research. The incumbent engages with internal stakeholders and a host of public, private sector and external entities. These can comprise governments, UN agencies, intergovernmental institutions and their member states, international financial institutions, individuals, corporations, foundations and NGOs. The Partnerships Officer is likely to focus on either public, private sector or external entities.

THE ROLE

This role facilitates the work of senior staff to effectively position WFP with public, private and external partners to attract policy support, resources, technical assistance and innovative solutions to advance the work of WFP, while supporting member states in the achievement of the SDGs and Zero Hunger and emphasizing WFP’s contributions in this regard.

Key Accountabilities (Not All-Inclusive, Nor Exhaustive):

Support the work plan & the implementation of the work plan for private-sector partnerships to enable WFP to identify, develop and strengthen quality partnerships in support of WFP strategic objectives.
Proactively contribute to a private-sector partnerships portfolio, including partner profiling and outreach activities, with the aim to maximize resources and leverage policy and technical support for WFP’s work; support partner visibility and ensure partner conditions are met.

Use data to present managers with well-researched ideas to expand support from existing partners and to scope new 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.
Solicit inputs, including operational updates, from other WFP entities to inform partner audiences on WFP’s programmatic offering; draft quality briefs and proactively highlight strategic issues to senior staff to inform best course of action and nurture partnership growth.
Gather and present internal and external data/information, using key information systems (e.g. Salesforce, WINGS, WFPGo), to support WFP’s effective positioning vis-à-vis national governments, regional and international institutions with the aim to influence the policy agenda.

In the context of the UN system and multilateral fora, support the development of partnerships and joint events with member states, civil society and intergovernmental organizations to advocate for the SDGs and Zero Hunger on the global agenda and advance WFP priorities and objectives.
Contribute to partnerships strategies, including the development of Partnership Action Plans; draw up quality partner proposals and reports by engaging with other WFP entities and external stakeholders.

Support senior managers in the preparation of strategic agreements, joint strategies and MOUs in order to promote the SDGs and Zero Hunger on the national, regional and global agenda and to reach advantageous outcomes for WFP.
Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance, and monitor defined risks.

Other as required.

OTHER POST REQUIREMENTS

The job holder directly supports the Head of Office in engagement with the Government of Kuwait and International Financial Institutions (IFIs), including preparatory research, briefing, and coordination for high-level meetings and strategic dialogue.
The Partnerships Officer (Private Sector & Government/IFI Relations) is responsible for building, strengthening, and maintaining strategic partnerships with private sector entities, governments, and international financial institutions to support WFP’s resource mobilization and programmatic goals. The role involves engaging stakeholders, identifying partnership opportunities, supporting the development of joint initiatives, and ensuring alignment with WFP’s strategic priorities in sustainable development and inclusive finance, while supporting member states in achieving the SDGs and Zero Hunger and emphasizing WFP’s contributions in this regard.

Directly support the Head of Office in engagement with the Government of Kuwait, preparing briefing notes, talking points, and background research ahead of high-level meetings, and following up on agreed actions with relevant government counterparts.
Support the Head of Office in building and maintaining relations with International Financial Institutions (IFIs), including research on IFI priorities, financing instruments and co-financing opportunities relevant to WFP’s work in Kuwait and the region.
Coordinate logistics, scheduling, and information flow for Head of Office engagements with government and IFI counterparts, ensuring timely preparation of materials and accurate record-keeping of outcomes and follow-up items.

This position is open exclusively to Kuwaiti nationals (National Officer category, NOA level). The successful candidate should bring a research background and demonstrated experience engaging private-sector and corporate stakeholders in Kuwait.

Essential requirements:

Demonstrated research background, with the ability to translate research and data analysis into actionable partnership and business-development insights.
Proven experience in project and programme management, including work planning, budgeting, and cross-functional coordination to deliver results.
Strong track record in stakeholder engagement, building and sustaining relationships across corporate, government and civil-society actors.
Experience in donor relations, including managing partner commitments, negotiating contributions, and reporting against donor requirements.

Experience supporting senior management or a head of office in engagement with government counterparts and/or International Financial Institutions, including briefing preparation and high-level meeting support.

Desirable requirements:

Has a good understanding of government strategies and the broader socio-economic context in Kuwait and the region.
Experience designing and applying monitoring & evaluation frameworks to track and demonstrate partnership and programme performance.
Has developed powerful, evidence-based narratives using data analysis and visualization to enable action-oriented discussions with partners.
Previous experience with UN agencies will be an asset.
Has motivated team spirit and contributed to a gender-balanced, inclusive and sound working environment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: First University degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Economics, International Relations, Law, Marketing, Communications or other relevant field, with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience: A minimum of one (1) or more years of progressively responsible, relevant professional work experience, including experience gained in the private sector, research, project/programme management, stakeholder engagement, donor relations and monitoring & evaluation experience.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English and Arabic languages.

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