Partnerships Officer

The Partnerships Officer supports WFP Rwanda’s effective positioning and resource mobilization efforts by contributing to the development, management, and growth of strategic partnerships that mobilize resources, policy support, and technical collaboration in support of national priorities and Zero Hunger.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the implementation of WFP Rwanda’s Partnerships and Resourcing Strategy, with a focus on priority donors, Government institutions, and emerging partners.
• Support the development of partner-specific engagement strategies aligned with Rwanda’s policy agenda (e.g. social protection, resilience, food systems, refugee response).
• Assist in translating programme activities into clear, compelling value propositions tailored to different audiences.
• Support the identification, tracking, and cultivation of funding opportunities across bilateral, multilateral, and IFI partners.
• Contribute to the preparation of high-quality proposals, concept notes, and donor reports, ensuring alignment with corporate standards and donor requirements.
• Maintain accurate partner intelligence and pipeline tracking using corporate systems (e.g., Salesforce, WINGS, WFPGo).
• Provide analytical support to strengthen WFP’s positioning with the Government of Rwanda, including line ministries and national agencies.
• Contribute to briefing materials and talking points that align WFP programmes with national strategies and policy frameworks.
• Monitor and analyse the evolving policy environment to identify opportunities for engagement and influence.
• Support implementation of the Country Office communications strategy by developing clear, evidence-based messaging for external audiences.
• Contribute to the preparation of briefing notes, talking points, presentations, and visibility materials for senior management.
• Ensure partner visibility requirements are met and aligned with agreed commitments.
• Support day-to-day management of partnerships, including tracking deliverables, compliance requirements, and reporting timelines.
• Engage with internal units to ensure coherent partner engagement and consistency of messaging across the portfolio.
• Facilitate coordination with UN agencies, NGOs, and other partners, including for joint initiatives and events aligned with SDGs and Zero Hunger.
• Analyse partner trends, funding patterns, and country context to inform strategic decision-making and identify opportunities for diversification.
• Contribute to the development of innovative partnership approaches, including blended financing, IFI engagement, and private sector opportunities (as relevant at CO level).
• Support the use of data and evidence to strengthen partner engagement and programme positioning.
• Support monitoring of partnership and funding risks, contributing to mitigation measures and reporting.
• Contribute to preparedness and response efforts, including development of partner-facing materials in emergency contexts.

Requirements

• Advanced University degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Economics, International Relations, Law, Marketing, Communications, or other relevant field. (Or First University degree with additional years of relevant work experience.)
• At least three years of relevant professional experience in partnerships, resource mobilization, communications, or related fields.
• Fluency (level C) in English. Knowledge of French or another UN/WFP working language is an asset.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in roles related to partnerships, programme management, policy engagement, communications, business development, strategy, or other positions with significant external engagement and stakeholder coordination responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience working with or engaging diverse stakeholders, such as government institutions, development partners, private sector entities, academia, or civil society. Direct experience in UN or humanitarian settings is an asset but not required.
• Experience contributing to resource mobilization, strategic initiatives, or business development processes, including preparation of proposals, reports, briefs, or analytical outputs.
• Proven ability to translate technical or programmatic work into clear, compelling messaging tailored to different audiences (e.g., senior leadership, external partners, policy audiences).
• Experience using data, analysis, or insights to inform decision-making, communication, or stakeholder engagement.
• Exposure to multi-sectoral or cross-functional work environments, demonstrating the ability to collaborate across teams and adapt to complex, evolving contexts.

Skills

• Partnership Development
• Resource Mobilization
• Strategic Communications
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Proposal Writing
• Programme Management
• Policy Engagement
• Business Development
• Data Analysis
• Report Writing
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• External Relations
• Technical Writing
• Strategic Planning
• Audience-tailored Messaging

Languages

English