Government Partnerships Consultant

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

20 May 2026-23:59-GMT+09:00 Japan Standard Time (Tokyo)

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 world’s 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 [link removed] and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube [link removed], LinkedIn [link removed], Instagram [link removed], Facebook [link removed], Twitter [link removed], TikTok [link removed].

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).

JOB TITLE: Government Partnerships Consultant
TYPE OF CONTRACT: International Consultancy (CST)
UNIT/DIVISION: Japan Relations Office (TOK)
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Yokohama, Japan
DURATION: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
Under the direct supervision of Government Partnerships Officer at the World Food Programme (WFP) Japan Relations Office (TOK), the incumbent will work within an assigned area and operate independently, applying technical expertise and experience to analyze data and identify solutions for partnerships activities. The role also includes providing technical advice to management and supporting WFP’s strategic positioning with partners to secure resources, technical assistance, and innovative solutions that advance WFP’s mission. Particular emphasis will be placed on highlighting WFP's contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the goal of Zero Hunger.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Implement TOK’s work plan for assigned areas, strengthening communication and accelerating partnerships with the Government of Japan, including line ministries and institutions.
2. Diversify partnerships and funding sources by identifying opportunities with ministries, agencies, and Japanese private sector entities; facilitate matching CO needs with Japanese technologies or services; and provide timely recommendations to TOK management. This includes proactive approaches, contacts and communications with private sector entities and NGOs as well as Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
3. Provide tailored support to COs and ROs for smooth development and implementation of Japan-funded projects; analyse needs from WFP and Japanese stakeholders to strengthen ongoing partnership and promote new ones.
4. Prepare high-quality briefing materials and talking points for corporate dialogue with partners, highlighting strategic opportunities and proposing options to strengthen trust and interest in WFP’s work.
5. Support WFP’s engagement in Japan-led policy and development fora and high-level consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; organize webinars for COs and ROs to enhance understanding of Japan as a donor and approaches to funding from Japan.
6. Coordinate advocacy and visibility initiatives, including high-level missions, major events, public seminars, and strategic dialogues between WFP management and Japanese counterparts.
7. Support political engagement, including activities related to the WFP Parliamentary League of Japan, and assist TOK Director in preparing for dialogues with parliamentarians and policy influencers.
8. Contribute to the drafting of partnership proposals, strategic agreements, joint strategies, the grant registration and Memorandum of Understanding with relevant functional units. Ensure compliance with corporate standards and external regulations through consultations with stakeholders and provide technical support to strengthen the quality and consistency of documentation.
9. Gather and analyse intelligence on Japan, including socio-political developments, media insights, and funding decisions; synthesise analysis into strategic insights for HQ and ROs; and maintain accurate forecasting using system such as Salesforce and WFPgo.
10. Perform other duties as required by TOK.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
• Successful support to WFP missions and advocacy/visibility events, including preparation of briefing materials, logistical coordination, and documentation of lessons learned and follow-ups with comprehensive post-event reports.
• Effective contribution to fundraising and funds management for the TOK Government Team, ensuring timely registration of contributions at HQ and compliance with agreements.
• Timely and high-quality donor intelligence shared across WFP, including strategic briefs, forecasts, and reports to inform high-level dialogues between WFP management and Japanese counterparts.
• Identification and facilitation of new funding opportunities, including partnerships with non-traditional actors such as private sector entities and technical cooperation initiatives under the Government of Japan funded projects.
• Consistent support to TOK Government Team and cross-team tasks, ensuring smooth implementation of partnership strategies and operational processes as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education: Advanced university degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Economics, International Relations, or a relevant field; or a first university degree complemented by additional years of relevant professional experience and/or specialized training/courses.
Experience: Three to five years of professional experience in the areas of humanitarian assistance, official development assistance (ODA), fund-raising, advocacy, partnership-building or related fields. Previous experience with WFP COs and the Japanese public sector is considered an asset.
Knowledge & Skills: Strong understanding of humanitarian and development assistance, WFP operations, and partnership strategies aligned with SDGs; Analytical capacity and familiarity with Japan’s ODA policies and the political landscapes are advantageous; Excellent communication skills, coupled with proficiency in information analysis and management.
Languages: International Professional: Fluency (level C) in both English and Japanese language.

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 [link removed]

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:  [email protected] [link removed]

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

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at [email protected] [link removed]. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

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.