Director, WFP Team Europe Lead

Organizational context: The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building peace through food assistance. WFP operates in complex environments, assisting people recovering from conflict, disasters, and climate change impacts. The organization values diversity, inclusion, and a high-performing workforce committed to its mission.

Job purpose: The Director, WFP Team Europe Lead (D2) will spearhead WFP's engagement with the European Union and its member states, based in Brussels. This senior role is pivotal in mobilizing crucial resources and strengthening strategic partnerships to advance WFP's mission of achieving Zero Hunger. The incumbent will lead the WFP Brussels Office and coordinate a network of European Global Offices, fostering relationships with EU authorities, the European Parliament, and national governments. The position requires a strategic leader to enhance WFP's positioning, advocate for food security and humanitarian policies, and drive innovative approaches to resource mobilization, ultimately supporting WFP's global operations and impact.

Responsibilities:
The Head of Team Europe at the World Food Programme (WFP) is responsible for leading WFP's engagement with European Union authorities, the European Parliament, and European Member States to secure support for food security and humanitarian and development policies. This senior role involves formulating and implementing partnership engagement strategies, identifying and cultivating relationships with key public and private decision-makers, and promoting WFP's corporate strategies, policies, and innovations. The position requires representing WFP in various international forums, disseminating WFP's analyses and innovations to enhance its positioning and brand awareness, and contributing to knowledge sharing for strategic positioning and resource mobilization. The Head of Team Europe also leads the WFP Brussels Office and coordinates partnerships across Europe, including managing European Global Offices. Key accountabilities include people management, staff development, ensuring efficient operations, implementing best practices, and fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-performing work environment. This role is crucial for advancing WFP's mission by mobilizing resources and strengthening advocacy efforts with a major donor base.

Education:
An advanced university degree in Political Science, Economics, Law, International Development/Relations, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first university degree combined with significant relevant experience and/or advanced training or courses is acceptable.

Work

experience:
Requires at least fifteen years of senior-level experience in partnerships, fundraising, and advocacy, with international experience. Must have a proven track record of leading collaborative approaches to attract and develop partnerships with EU authorities and member states. Experience in building and maintaining networks within the EU, influencing external stakeholders in large European forums, and leading multicultural teams to improve performance is essential. A strong understanding of EU and European Commission strategies, business principles, and the ability to analyze complex issues are also required.

Skills:
Partnership strategy development, Resource mobilization, Advocacy, Stakeholder engagement, Team leadership, Diplomatic skills, Cross-cultural communication, Financial management, Policy analysis, Project management

Required languages: English, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese

Desired languages: English, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese