Partnerships Officer – International Financial Institutions (IFIs)

The World Food Programme (WFP) Kenya Country Office is seeking a highly experienced international consultant to provide strategic leadership in resource mobilisation, advocacy, and partnership development with International Financial Institutions (IFIs). WFP Kenya is among the 15 largest operations in the organisation, managing a yearly budget of approximately USD 150 million across a complex portfolio that includes refugee relief, resilience building, food systems strengthening, school meals, emergency preparedness, and logistics services — including management of a major regional port and the UNHAS air service.

This is a senior consultancy assignment (CST II level) based in Nairobi, Kenya. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of humanitarian programming and development finance, positioning WFP Kenya to secure and grow strategic partnerships with multilateral financial institutions such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, and other IFIs. Please note: This role is open to international candidates only and is NOT open to Kenyan nationals.

• Lead the development and execution of WFP Kenya's IFI partnership and resource mobilisation strategy, identifying and pursuing funding opportunities aligned with country office priorities.
• Build and sustain high-level relationships with representatives of IFIs, government counterparts, and UN system partners to advance WFP's programmatic agenda.
• Analyse IFI financing cycles, country strategies, and investment pipelines to identify entry points for WFP collaboration and co-financing arrangements.
• Develop compelling concept notes, partnership proposals, and briefing materials tailored to IFI audiences and decision-making processes.
• Coordinate with programme, finance, and communications teams to ensure coherent messaging and accurate reporting to IFI partners.
• Monitor and report on the status of existing IFI partnerships, flagging risks and recommending course corrections to senior management.
• Represent WFP in high-level forums, donor meetings, and inter-agency coordination platforms related to IFI engagement.
• Provide technical advice to Country Office leadership on trends in development finance and the evolving IFI landscape in Kenya and the region.

• Demonstrate at least 5–7 years of progressive experience in partnerships, resource mobilisation, or external relations within an international humanitarian, development, or multilateral organisation.
• Show a proven track record of securing and managing partnerships with IFIs (World Bank, AfDB, IMF, or equivalent) including navigating their financing instruments and approval processes.
• Apply strong analytical skills to assess funding landscapes, draft strategic documents, and translate complex programme data into persuasive funding narratives.
• Communicate effectively in English at a professional level — both written and oral — including producing high-quality proposals, reports, and presentations for senior audiences.
• Demonstrate the ability to engage diplomatically with senior government officials, IFI representatives, and UN system counterparts.
• Hold a postgraduate degree in international relations, development economics, public policy, humanitarian affairs, or a closely related field.
• Work independently in a fast-paced, multicultural environment and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Show familiarity with Kenya's development context and the operational environment of the Horn of Africa region is a strong advantage.

WFP offers a competitive international consultancy remuneration package commensurate with the CST II grade level. Estimated monthly equivalent ranges from KES 400,000 to KES 700,000 depending on experience and the applicable WFP daily consultancy rate. Benefits include access to WFP's inclusive work environment, professional development programmes, and potential for internal mobility across WFP's global network. Full terms and conditions are detailed in the official vacancy announcement on the WFP careers portal.

This role is ideal for a seasoned international development or humanitarian professional who thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments and has a strong command of IFI financing architecture. You are a confident communicator, strategic thinker, and relationship builder who can translate WFP's operational realities into compelling partnership propositions for development finance audiences.

Do not apply if you are a Kenyan national — this position is explicitly open to international candidates only. Also avoid applying if you lack direct IFI engagement experience, as this is a core requirement of the assignment.

• Visit the official WFP careers portal at https://www.wfp.org/careers and search for the vacancy by title or reference number.
• Create or log in to your WFP e-Recruitment profile and complete all required application fields.
• Upload an updated CV and a cover letter clearly demonstrating your experience with IFI partnerships and resource mobilisation.
• Submit your application before the deadline of 5 July 2026 at 23:59 EAT (GMT+03:00).
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. WFP does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.