DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS12 July 2025-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)
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 worldโs 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).
World Food Invest - Private Sector Development Consultant
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Consultant level 2
UNIT/DIVISION: Private Sector Partnerships (PSP)
DUTY STATION (City, Country): HQ Rome/Nairobi/Remote
DURATION: 11 months
BACKGROUND:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the United Nations frontline agency fighting hunger. WFP reaches more than 80 million people every day - delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with smallholder farmers, communities and governments to improve nutrition and build resilience.
WFP is building on its emerging Impact Investment capabilities and establishing World Food Invest, an Impact Fund to drive investment into frontier market food systems as a pathway to reducing humanitarian needs. World Food Invest aims to empower scalable impact through blended finance instruments, including concessional loans, equity, and guarantees, fostering sustainable outcomes in vulnerable communities aligned with WFPโs mission.
WFP seeks a Private Sector Development Consultant with expertise in impact investments, fund structuring, engagement with DFIs, Foundations and other donors to support the fund development team to achieve its strategic objectives.
PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The Private Sector Development Consultant will provide technical support in the design, structuring, and operationalization of the World Food Invest. They will work with an external Investment Advisory Firm to ensure the fund aligns with investor requirements, global best practices in impact investing, and WFPโs organizational goals, while building a compelling investment case for DFIs and other stakeholders. The Private Sector Development Consultant, reporting to the Head of Field Engagement, Private Sector Partnerships will be responsible for:
Pipeline Development and Investment Strategy
- Coordinate and support establishment of investable pipeline in collaboration with key WFP stakeholders.
- Coordinate and support assessment of the needs of the identified pipeline companies to inform the fundโs investment strategy and positioning.
- Further develop the fundโs investment strategy, investment thesis, and objectives; target interventions; value proposition and positioning in the market.
Fund Structuring and Design
Fund design
- Working with the Investment Advisory Firm, design the operational framework and governance structure for the Impact Fund, including investment policies, risk management strategies, and funding mechanisms.
- Design the financial instruments to be offered by the fund, balancing risk, return, and impact objectives.
- Develop a roadmap for fund implementation, including timelines, milestones, and resource requirements.
Impact Measurement and Management
- Support development of a robust impact framework to measure and report on the social, environmental, and financial outcomes of funded projects.
- Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting systems to ensure transparency and accountability to investors and stakeholders.
Compliance and Risk Management
- Gather internal advice to ensure the fund complies with WFPโs financial policies, UN regulations, and international ethical investment standards.
- Draft a risk management approach to identify and mitigate financial, operational, and reputational risks associated with fund activities.
Engagement with DFIs and Investors
- Develop marketing and other relevant materials to solicit investorsโ interest and to facilitate fundraising efforts.
- Support stakeholder engagement with DFIs, institutional investors, and philanthropic partners as required to secure commitments for fund capitalization.
- Facilitate negotiations on investment terms, ensuring alignment with WFPโs values and strategic priorities.
Internal alignment and guidance
- Provide input to consolidate and refine the corporate toolkit and guidance in the area of Impact Investment for Country Offices.
- Alignment and coordination with relevant WFP teams, strategies (incl. the Innovative Finance Strategy), and initiatives.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF CONTRACT:
- Materials outlining the existing Impact Investment pipeline and proposed investment strategy for the Impact Fund.
- Materials outlining the proposed fund design, impact measurement and management, and risk management approaches.
- An investor engagement strategy, including a pipeline of potential DFIs and investors.
- Refined guidance materials
- Regular progress reports and updates to WFP leadership and stakeholders.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
Bachelorโs degree in Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent. Masterโs degree is a plus.
Experience:
At least 7 years of experience in impact investing, fund management, or blended finance, with a focus on development or humanitarian sectors.
Demonstrated expertise in structuring and operationalizing investment funds, including engagement with DFIs and institutional investors.
Experience working with development organizations is highly desirable.
Knowledge & Skills:
- Strong financial acumen and understanding of investment instruments, risk management, and fund operations.
- Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills, particularly with DFIs and large institutional investors.
- Ability to synthesize complex financial and impact data into actionable insights for diverse audiences.
- Understanding of investment processes and ability to advise innovations and WFP teams on key aspects of investment readiness and capital raising activities.
- Strong conceptual thinking and analytical skills to develop new innovative financing strategies and models.
- Experience working cross-functionally and getting things done in an agile and hands-on way.
- Excellent communication/presentation skills, with the ability to write strategy documents, develop business plans, and deliver presentations.
- Collaborative spirit, able to partner with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures and to act with credibility and diplomacy.
- Self-motivated and able to work with a high degree of autonomy.
- Strong commitment to WFPโs mission and principles, including equity, sustainability, and ethical investment.
Languages:
Proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.
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 committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org
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 global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org 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.