WFP Food Systems Summit (FSS) - Champions Engagement Lead Jobs in Nairobi, Kenya

WFP Food Systems Summit (FSS) - Champions Engagement Lead Jobs in Nairobi, Kenya


General Background

  • In 2021, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will convene a Food Systems Summit as part of the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The Summit will serve as a pivotal moment in a decade-long effort to unleash ambitious new actions, innovative solutions, and plans to transform our food systems and leverage these shifts to deliver progress across all of the SDGs. It’s vision, objectives, work streams, and outcomes continued to be refined and advanced in strategic collaboration with member states and other stakeholders.

  • The Secretary-General has appointed a Special Envoy for the Food Systems Summit, Dr. Agnes Kalibata, who will provide leadership, guidance and strategic direction towards the Summit. The Special Envoy will be responsible for cooperation with key leaders, including governments, the RBAs and entire UN system, and other strategic stakeholder groups, to galvanize action and leadership for the Summit. The Special Envoy will also assist with outreach and represent the Secretary-General in many global and regional consultative events related to food systems during 2020 and 2021.

  • A Summit Secretariat will be responsible for supporting the efforts of the Special Envoy and all governance mechanisms of the Summit. The Secretariat headquarters is in Nairobi where the Special Envoy is based, but it also includes satellite offices in Rome and New York to facilitate key connections with the UN, Rome-based agencies, permanent representatives, and other stakeholders.

  • WFP has been appointed as the administrative agency for the Summit on behalf of the UN system. It is hosting and managing a multi-donor trust fund on behalf of the Summit and in alignment with international best practices for full accountability and transparency to stakeholders. WFP is also supporting all operations of the Secretariat in terms of finance, budget, HR, recruiting, IT and beyond.

    Recruitment Context

  • In partnership with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Summit, Dr. Agnes Kalibata, a first wave of recruitment was completed between February and May of 2020. The first wave focused on filling the leadership positions of the Secretariat, including a Deputy, a Chief of Staff, and all initially-envisioned unit leads across the organizational structure. Targeted recruitment was completed between the Special Envoy and RBAs in order to quickly identify and onboard individuals with essential capabilities and networks. The Secretariat and WFP also worked closely across the RBAs to draw on the opportunity for seconded positions from FAO, IFAD, and WFP as agreed between the Special Envoy and RBA Principals in the initiation of the Summit. As of the end of the start of June, 2020, the Secretariat has in place 10 individuals, inclusive of the Special Envoy.

  • The Secretariat has now prioritized a next wave of roles as the Summit work will quickly begin scaling up following the first meetings of the Advisory Committee and other support structures this month. The Secretariat and RBAs are mobilizing funds to the Trust Fund in parallel to these efforts, and so this next wave of roles would be expected to be brought onboard around September following the summer holidays as more funds are received and available. This Special Assistant, P4 role based in Nairobi is part of this second wave of recruitments and is an essential position to insure the success of the Food Systems Summit.

    Job Purpose & Key Accountabilities (not all-inclusive)

    As the Lead of
    Champions Engagement,

  • You will be responsible for ensuring that the Summit refines and implements a strong strategy and process for engaging a multi-stakeholder Champions Network in support of the Summit.

  • You will have primary accountability for stewarding the Champions Network as rolled out by the EOSG and the Special Envoy, which seeks to ensure the largest and most committed group of champions possible for food systems transformation from across the full breadth of the diverse constituencies (member states, private sector, UN agencies, civil society, producer organizations, etc…) and in all regions and countries of the world.

  • You will help manage routine engagement with the Champions Network influencers and eminent persons to maximize the value of their contributions to the Summit.

  • You will help recruit in new champions and build the network’s reach and influence.

  • You will also contribute more broadly to the overall work of the Summit Secretariat to ensure effective coordination of the unit in all functions and key efforts of the Knowledge & Policy Unit, Global Engagement Unit, Private Sector Engagement Unit, Advocacy & Communications Unit, and Program Management Unit. You may help manage a small team of staff in the Secretariat over time to effectively deliver on the Unit’s mandate.
    ​​​​​​​
    Desired Experiences for Entry into the Role

  • You have a minimum eight years of relevant professional work experience in partnership roles.

  • You have a good understanding of government and corporate strategies and priorities, public policy formulation and levels of influence.

  • You have at least 5-year experience in managing a team, motivated team spirit and contributed to a gender-balanced, inclusive and sound working environment.

  • You have gained experience in developing new and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

  • You have evaluated expected ROI from new partnerships and created a network of relationships with multiple constituencies.

  • You have developed long-term partner relationships and gained significant experience in expanding engagements across geographies and sectors.

  • You have designed and managed all resource mobilization processes and resource strategies, negotiated contract terms and provided resourcing advice to seniors.

  • You have led and promoted data-based decision making to enable internal stakeholders to make well informed decisions.

  • You have created external messaging to function, geography and thematic interests of stakeholders.

  • You have contributed to innovation of system improvements and partner intelligence platforms.

  • You have utilized digital solutions to improve client services.

  • A preference will be placed on an individual with diversity beyond Europe and the US, to bring other background and networks into the Secretariat team.

    Standard Minimum Qualifications

    Education:

  • 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 related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

    Language:

  • Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.

    How to Apply

  • For more information and job application details, see; WFP Food Systems Summit (FSS) - Champions Engagement Lead Jobs in Nairobi, Kenya


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