Business Innovation Consultant - VA 174031

Business Innovation Consultant, United Nations World Food Programme

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Rome

DURATION: 6-11 months

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 channelling every available resource to the people we serve.

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

• BIU/UNAA acts as the “management consulting arm” of WFP
• BIU/UNAA 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, UN Secretariat,..). Our focus is on end-to-end solutions, including problem assessment, data analysis, operational model design, change plan and implementation monitoring.

Execution of Business Innovation projects Overall BIU/UNAA priorities Other activities

Depending on the time of joining, the incumbent’s specific experience, and current corporate priorities, the incumbent will support the delivery of a project workstream under guidance. Examples of specific deliverables are:

• Collaborate with senior leadership on prioritization of key organizational initiatives
• Provide analytical and project management support
• Coordinate with initiative owners in driving implementation forward

• Explore benefits for potential global / local collaboration with sister agencies
• Identify Business Operations Strategy best practices for collaboration and support cross-COs knowledge transfer
• Engage in the UN Reform/UN80 initiatives by performing internal analysis on service delivery effectiveness and efficiency, reviewing current service approaches at global and country levels and supporting pilot launches as needed
• Contribute to the communication efforts on UN Reform/UN80

• Support knowledge management reviews and best practices sharing
• Additional support requests, as required

Preference for a degree in business, economics or engineering

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

• Ability to contribute to developing 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 World Food Programme.

In addition to a high proficiency in written and spoken English, knowledge of a second UN language is a plus.

WFP supports Visa applications and the position is based in Rome, Italy.