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Job Title: Nutrition Private Sector Engagement Consultant

Type of Contract: International Consultant

Division: Nutrition Division

Duty Station (City, Country): Rome HQ, Italy

Duration: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The WFP 2022-2025 Strategic Plan emphasizes the centrality of working in partnership to eliminate all forms of malnutrition. Malnutrition has an immense impact on human development, contributing to the persistence of poverty and inequality through the intergenerational cycle of hunger. Building on the WFP Strategic Plan, the WFP Nutrition Policy approved by the board in 2017 provides a guiding framework to support governments in making advances in the reduction of malnutrition. The policy puts governments at the heart of its agenda, while reaffirming the pivotal role WFP plays in its partnerships, through its global and regional reach and strong country presence.

In the upcoming years, WFP will continue to foster synergies with actors that have complementary mandates, skills, and resources, such as private sector. In this context, WFP is committed to continue to work with the private sector to encourage responsible and mutually beneficial engagement on nutrition. Under the leadership of the Chief of Strategic Partnerships and Innovative Finance, the Consultant will lead the workstream focused on engagement with the private sector, defining strategy and identifying opportunities for WFP to collaborate responsibly with the private sector towards national and global level nutrition goals.

As part of its engagement with the private sector, WFP has co-convened the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Business Network with GAIN since 2014. The SUN Business Network is the principal channel for business engagement in the SUN Movement. Since its creation, the Network has grown to 1400+ members, becoming the largest platform for business and nutrition globally. Commitments from business members have reached over one hundred million consumers and one million employees, with improved nutrition. More than 30 countries have been assisted in designing their first strategies to engage business in national nutrition policies and programmes. WFP is committed to build on the results achieved so far and promote businesses’ responsible engagement in efforts to sustainably reduce malnutrition. The Consultant will take on the role of Global Co-Coordinator as part of this position.

As the Global Co-Coordinator of the SUN Business Network (SBN) and lead of WFP’s Private Sector Nutrition team, the Consultant will strategically support WFP’s efforts to strengthen and expand nutrition contributions via this platform and the private sector more broadly at global, regional, and country levels. The Consultant will officially report to the Chief of Strategic Partnerships and Innovative Finance within the WFP Nutrition Division (NUT) and will interact with other WFP members as needed. Specific responsibilities and deliverables are outlined below:

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

It is expected that the consultancy will lead to the following results:

Strategic Guidance and Leadership Support

• Refine the private sector engagement strategy and manage implementation of WFP’s private sector nutrition activities, including private sector partnerships that support nutrition programming in support of the NUT Division’s Strategic Objectives in a responsible manner which does not undermine nutrition and health outcomes.

• Provide strategic guidance and expert technical advice to NUT senior management to strengthen WFP’s engagement with the private sector for improved nutrition and healthy diets

SUN Business Network Leadership

• Serve as the WFP Global Co-Coordinator of the SUN Business Network, in close collaboration with the GAIN SUN Business Network Co-Coordinator

• Lead roll-out of SBN 3.0 Strategy, including support country ownership of the Strategy

• Oversee implementation of global SUN Business Network workplan to ensure global Network objectives are met

• Drive resource mobilization efforts for SUN Business Network via multiple channels, including WFP, SBN (in collaboration w/GAIN), and the SUN Global Support System; includes fostering relationships with donors

• Oversee donor reporting and monitoring of results generated via SBN global funding mechanisms

SUN Movement Engagement

• Serve as SBN Focal Point to the SUN Movement Secretariat (SMS) and other SUN Networks

Regional and country-level support

• Oversee support provided to national SUN Business Networks housed within WFP Country Offices, including strategic and operational backstopping as they: establish or operate a SUN Business Network (remote or in-country), strengthen stakeholder engagement and dialogue, analyze and overcome obstacles, and develop plans and strategies that are highly relevant based on the local context

• Provide guidance and support to COs to cultivate partnerships that can assist with expansion of SBN objectives and resourcing, including various forms of sponsorship and in-kind support

• Spearhead NUT support to regional and WFP CO SBN resource mobilization efforts

• Work with Regional Bureau Nutrition Teams to build awareness of staff on private sector engagement on nutrition; conceptualize regional SBN trainings/orientations as funds permit

Knowledge management

• Oversee the development of the SUN Business Network tools, learning resources, and communication materials that support needs of WFP Headquarters, regional, and country offices as they work to expand and strengthen WFP’s work with the private sector in nutrition

• Lead South-South transfer of knowledge and best practices between SBNs within and across regions

• Oversee capture of best practices and communication of these via appropriate global, regional, and national platforms

• Facilitate relevant internal and external workshops that link to SBN’s portfolio

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced University degree in Business, Public Health, Development, or other related field.

Experience:

10+ years working in development, particularly linked to nutrition and strategic programme development and expansion.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Proven track record in strategic analysis at global, regional, and country levels

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including substantive analysis and report writing skills, as well as ability to convey messages to various stakeholders in a relevant and understandable way

• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to relate to and communicate with high level stakeholders coming from Government, Private Sector, Donor Agencies, and the broader Development Community.

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in English language – oral and written.

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 18 May 2023

Ref.: VA No. 826728

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.