Partnerships Associate SC6

The Partnerships Associate supports the development and management of strategic partnerships to enhance resource mobilization for WFP Zambia. The role involves coordinating partnership activities, donor intelligence, innovative financing initiatives, and grant proposal writing to support the Country Office's strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Liaise and coordinate with public and private partners and other key stakeholders, conducting regular partner profiling and portfolio reviews to maintain an up-to-date overview of WFP’s partnership landscape and support the timely preparation and execution of partnership initiatives, ensuring alignment with WFP’s strategic goals.
• Collaborate closely with Programme units and other enabling teams (e.g. Communications, Finance, M&E) to implement the partnerships and resource mobilization work plan in line with Country Office strategic objectives.
• Monitor existing and emerging partners, gathering and analysing relevant intelligence with the aim of maximizing partnership engagement and resource mobilization opportunities.
• Identify and recommend potential new partners (governments, UN/multilateral agencies, private sector, foundations, etc.), and in collaboration with programme teams.
• Proactively identify and explore non-traditional funding opportunities – such as impact investments, blended finance arrangements, debt swaps and philanthropic initiatives – integrating these innovative mechanisms into WFP’s partnership strategy to diversify and increase funding streams.
• Utilize data and evidence-based analysis to identify trends and opportunities for expanding support from both existing and new partners.
• Lead the drafting of high-quality funding proposals, grant applications, and concept notes in coordination with technical units.
• Ensure that all proposals align with WFP’s program needs and meet donor requirements, in order to secure new funding opportunities.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Partnerships Unit’s strategies and action plans, ensuring that resource mobilization efforts (including proposal pipelines and reporting schedules) are well-planned and support the broader Country Office strategy.
• Ensure effective stewardship of existing donors and partners by sustaining regular communication, organizing briefings and field visits, acknowledging contributions, and addressing partner requests or concerns promptly.
• Perform any other duties as required.

Requirements

• Masters University degree in Political Science, International Development, Business Development, Development Economics, International Relations, or other relevant field.
• A first university degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses may be accepted in lieu of a Masters degree.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional work experience in a partnership, resource mobilization, or related role.
• Experience in managing donor relations and fundraising processes including grant proposal writing and donor reporting is highly desirable.
• Has a basic understanding of innovative financing strategies and developing effective relationships with partners.
• Has advanced analytical skills and experience in agenda setting and enabling action-oriented discussions with partners.
• Has strong skills in managing or working in teams.
• Competences in working in multi-cultural teams is desirable.
• Excellent planning, coordination, and project management skills, with the ability to effectively engage and align a wide range of stakeholders across different functional areas.
• Ability to analyse and interpret financial data, monitor budgets, and use quantitative insights to inform partnership strategies.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools to identify trends, support decision-making, and create compelling narratives for resource mobilization.
• Demonstrated excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to craft persuasive funding proposals and clear, impactful donor reports.
• Experience in supervising or mentoring team members, coordinating tasks, and organizing own work under tight deadlines.
• Ability to assert opinions and influence others by developing logical, well-reasoned arguments – crucial for negotiations and advocacy with partners.
• Innovative mindset and openness to exploring new partnership and financing approaches.
• Familiarity with emerging funding models (such as impact investment and public-private blended finance) is an asset.
• High sense of integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Ability to assert opinions and persuade others by developing logical and well-reasoned arguments.
• A high sense of confidentiality.
• Fluency (level C) in English.

Skills

• Partnership Management
• Resource Mobilization
• Donor Relations
• Grant Proposal Drafting
• Donor Reporting
• Innovative Financing
• Analytical Skills
• Agenda Setting
• Project Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Financial Data Analysis
• Budget Monitoring
• Data Analysis
• Data Visualization
• Funding Proposals
• Team Supervision
• Negotiation Skills
• Advocacy
• Confidentiality Management

Languages

English