Business Innovation Consultant

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

3 December 2024-23:59-GMT+03:00 East Africa Time (Nairobi)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Business Innovation Consultant, United Nations World Food Programme

LEVEL: Consultant level 1

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Nairobi, Kenya

DURATION: 6 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Over the past years the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has responded to an unprecedented level of emergencies, while maintaining ongoing operations. This increased demand stretches the organization which means WFP has to find new approaches and ways of working to ensure we are channeling every available resource to the people we serve.

The Business Innovation Unit (BIU) was established in 2015 to manage change and to promote innovation as part of WFP’s Innovation division:

• BIU acts as the “management consulting arm” of WFP
• BIU is composed of staff with top-tier management consulting backgrounds as well as UN experience

We execute projects on behalf of Executive Directors, Assistant Secretary Generals, and Directors across the UN system, and have become a trusted advisor to WFP and other entities (e.g. UN Women, UNFPA, Business Innovation Group). Our focus is on end-to-end solutions, including problem assessment, data analysis, operational model design, change plan and implementation monitoring.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support innovation activities in RBN region on the following areas:

Manage the execution of AgTech Accelerator Project Lead efforts in partner mapping, building partnership and, developing a fundraising strategy Provide additional project management support for the innovation portfolio of projects as required

DELIVERABLES:

Depending on time of joining, the candidate’s specific experience and current corporate priorities, the candidate will be responsible for the full delivery of a project work stream. Examples of specific deliverables are:

• Project Management ensuring timely delivery of AgTech Accelerator as per the agreed project plan
  • Serve as the liaison with internal and external partners, maintaining communication and ensuring alignment with all involved stakeholders.
  • Lead each key steps of the project such as selection and onboarding of cohort members, managing application processes, evaluations, and participant integration, Demo Day event.
  • Work closely with project mentors and coaches to provide guidance to cohort members throughout the acceleration process. 
• Partner Mapping and Establishment of Sustainable Partnerships
  • Conduct comprehensive partner mapping to identify key stakeholders, potential collaborators, and strategic partners.
  • Establish and maintain sustainable partnerships with corporate sponsors, NGOs, government bodies, and other relevant entities
• Fundraising Strategy Development
  • Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy for business innovation to secure funding for current and future projects.
  • Identify potential funding sources, prepare, and present proposals to potential investors; Collaborate with financial advisors and external partners to ensure the fundraising strategy is aligned with market trends and stakeholder interests. 
• Other Project Management and AdHoc Support as required

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Preference for a degree in business, economics or engineering

Experience:

At least 3 years of progressively responsible national and/or international experience in a business or international relations related position. At least 2 year experience in change management, management consulting or finance required. Additional work experience desirable.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to develop new strategies and innovative projects

• Good analytical abilities, both quantitative and qualitative: ability to perform advanced analysis in excel and produce high-quality written materials, including powerpoint presentations as well as text documents;

• Experience with optimization processes (e.g. optimization of strategic planning, sourcing, logistics, finance processes, performance management, etc.)

• Collaborative spirit to liaise with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures, with credibility and diplomacy;

• Time management skills with an ability to plan ahead, anticipate requirements, problems and obstacles, and an ability to juggle competing priorities successfully, and to work on tight deadlines;

• Self-motivated and able to work with a certain degree of autonomy and/ or in team;

• Fully committed and motivated to achieve the aims of the UN WFP.

Languages:

In addition to a high proficiency in written and spoken English, knowledge of a

second UN language is a plus.

Visa:

WFP supports Visa applications and the position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at [email protected]. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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.