Partnership and Compliance Officer

The Partnerships and Compliance Officer supports WFP Country Offices, Regional Offices and Headquarters in mobilizing EU funding and ensuring compliance with EU contractual conditions. The role involves negotiation, management, and reporting of EU contribution agreements, providing technical guidance on EU legal matters, and fostering partnerships with EU institutions.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice, support and assistance to WFP Country Offices, Regional Offices and concerned units at Headquarters to strengthen relations with the European Union and increase fundraising opportunities from DG INTPA, DG MENA and FPI.
• Support and participate in negotiations for contributions agreements centrally managed by relevant European Commission services, in line with WFP’s internal policies and regulations and the EC-UN Financial and Administrative Framework Agreement (FAFA), in order to reach advantageous outcomes for WFP.
• Provide guidance and support to WFP Country Offices, Regional Offices and concerned units at Headquarters for the negotiation, management and reporting of contributions agreements with EU Delegations to ensure compliance with WFP’s internal regulations and the FAFA.
• Support the development and maintenance of effective working relationships with EU representatives through appropriate channels, and represent WFP in regular donor meetings organized by EU institutions (mostly DG INTPA, DG MENA and FPI).
• Contribute to the preparation of briefing materials for senior management level meetings and engagements with EU institutions. Develop and present clear recommendations for senior staff members highlighting fundraising opportunities and develop strategies to increase funding from various EU institutions (DG INTPA, DG MENA and FPI).
• Provide technical guidance on EU legal matters and compliance of contribution agreements from all European Commission services with the EC-UN FAFA and WFP’s internal rules and regulations, including drafting, review and negotiation of complex legal agreements.
• Coordinate WFP inputs and follow-up actions in the context of the periodic meetings of the EU-UN FAFA Working Group and the Joint Technical Reference Group of the FAFA involving all relevant European Commission services and all UN Agencies signatories to the FAFA. Participate on behalf of WFP in inter-agency meetings and joint EC/UN working groups and tasks forces on the preparation and review of EC contract templates, EC control framework, and other aspects pertaining to the operationalization of the FAFA.
• In close collaboration with WFP’s Risk Management Division at HQs, act as main focal point within Brussels Global Office and provide all necessary support for EU financial verifications, other EC related control exercises and all compliance/risk related matters. Facilitate WFP dialogue with the Legal, Finance, Contract and Audit units of all relevant European Commission services at Brussels level on issues arising due to EC control exercises and other compliance/risk related aspects.
• Supervise and provide guidance to assigned staff supporting the budget preparation and financial reporting of EU contributions and the administration and monitoring of EU contributions within WFP’s corporate systems.
• Provide training to WFP Headquarters, regional and field staff on the management of EU contributions, EU compliance and all related legal and contractual issues. Prepare relevant training materials and guidance documents on EU contractual requirements.
• Other as required.

Requirements

• Advanced University degree in Law, International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, European Studies, International Development; OR a first university degree with additional years of relevant professional experience.
• Minimum five or more years of relevant professional work experience in partnership roles.
• Minimum of four years of proven experience dealing with EU institutions, policies, oversight and legal frameworks, including negotiation and management of EU contracts and financial verifications.
• Excellent working knowledge of EU development policies and of EU working modalities, regulations and administrative procedures (particularly DG INTPA, DG MENA and FPI).
• Proven experience as trainer and in developing training materials on donor policies, priorities and contractual requirements.
• Proven experience in fundraising, negotiations and public relations/advocacy.
• Experience managing teams of experts across a variety of job functions and creating an enabling environment.
• Solid communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Strong knowledge of WFP internal policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration and funds management.
• Fluency (level C) in English and French language is mandatory.
• In