United Arab Emirates: External Partnerships Officer, P3 – Abu Dhabi, UAE

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are seeking to fill an External Partnerships Officer at the P3 level, based in our Country Office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The External Partnerships Officer will play a pivotal role in defining and achieving WFP’s regional objectives.

As regional bodies and Governments address critical security, humanitarian and development issues, it is essential that WFP is positioned as a knowledgeable and operational partner of choice – particularly as the resilience agenda is further defined and formalized. This will involve strategic leadership in the development of local and regional networks, the management of positioning and outreach at multiple levels within the organization (especially with WFP Offices in New York, Geneva, Addis Ababa and major donor capitals), and the development of innovative forms of collaboration with UN agencies, NGOs, host governments, think tanks, the private sector and other potential partners. Linking global and regional processes with country level operations to deliver results for our beneficiaries will be an important focus of the position and essential to defining WFP’s value proposition and longer-term role in the region.

Under the general supervision and guidance of the Regional Donor & Private Sector Relations Officer the External Partnerships Officer will be responsible for the following key duties:

• Implement the work plan for assigned area, in order to ensure timely and cost effective delivery of results, in accordance with WFP and Corporate Partnership strategy.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with member states, UN agencies, NGOs, host government and other partners, in order to keep them informed on important, strategic operational WFP issues.
• Represent WFP in UN and other multilateral bodies, NGOs, member states, provide them with information on the programme and develop joint information programmes to increase WFP’s profile and protect its interests.
• Identify opportunities to develop new and existing synergies with other UN agencies, and make suggestions to senior Officers in order to support more effective and efficient approach to food assistance.
• Prepare and provide information for member states, UN agencies, NGOs, host government and other partners on the strategy, design, relevance and impact of programmes, to advocate the work of WFP.
• Communicate to WFP relevant discussion and feedback on programme activities and issues of priority to WFP, gathered from member states, UN agencies, NGOs, host government and other partners to engage them with intergovernmental/interagency discussion, and inform future activities.
• Obtain inputs from WFP that will contribute to inter-governmental/inter-agency work to ensure that WFP positions are properly explained and taken into account in decision making.
• Research and analyse current activities, political and social events of UN and other multilateral bodies/governments in order to identify issues that may impact WFP activities, inform senior Officers and propose positions on these issues.
• Participate in the implementation of relevant inter-agency initiatives which have been prioritized corporately, providing central resources and local training in order to contribute to sustainable change.
• Plan and supervise the work of more junior staff to ensure that tasks are accomplished in a manner consistent with organizational requirements.
• Other as required.

Qualifications & Experience Required

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Economics, Journalism, International Relations, Communications or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience:

• At least five years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in a relevant field of work, with a background and interest in international humanitarian development;
• Experience in managing small teams of staff with related areas of expertise;
• Proven experience in the development of effective partnership arrangements, preferably at the international level;
• Built and maintained effective relationships with member states, UN agencies, NGOs, host government, and other partners;
• Proven ability to research and analyse social and political trends data;
• Professional experience in developing partnerships in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is highly desirable.

Technical Skills & Knowledge:

· Ability to translate political positions and agreements into meaningful operational outcomes;

· Sound theoretical understanding of international development concepts and principles with a broad knowledge of best practices, techniques and processes and specialized knowledge in a specific area;

· Knowledge of common business principles and processes and the ability to quickly assimilate UN/WFP specific processes and systems;

· Understanding of political dynamics and foreign policy decision making procedures;

· Substantial knowledge of management principles;

· Familiarity with UN policies, WFP operations and the Middle East and North Africa is

desirable.

Competencies:

· Strong negotiation, advocacy, representation and networking skills;

· Ability to lead, coach and motivate a small team;

· Capacity to work constructively in both internal and external multi-stakeholder teams;

· Strong organization skills with the ability to plan, perform, prioritize multiple tasks under tight deadlines in a dynamic environment and monitor own work plan and those under her/ his supervision;

· Ability to analyse and interpret information, and provide solutions;

· Good communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships,

· Persuade, influence and adapt communication style to different situations and individuals.

Language:

• Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic (level C)

Terms and Conditions

Selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. He/she will be required to travel abroad sometime to remote and difficult locations.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit icsc.un.org

ApplicationProcedures:

Go to: http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/vacancies/16-0021596

Step 1: Register and create your online CV.

Step 2: Click on “Description” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit your application.

NOTE: You must complete Step 1 and 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.

Deadline for applications: 31 August 2016

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.

REF: 16-0021596**