Head of Marketing and Communications

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

29 November :59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Berlin)

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:  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).

JOB TITLE:  Head of Marketing and Communications

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Consultancy

UNIT/DIVISION: WFP Innovation Accelerator, INNA

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Munich, Germany

DURATION: 11 Months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the United Nations frontline agency fighting hunger. WFP reaches more than 100 million people every day - delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with smallholder farmers, communities, and governments to improve nutrition and build resilience.

The WFP Innovation Accelerator was named by Fast Company as Most Innovative Non-Profit Organization 2021 for its work in identifying, nurturing, and scaling disruptive start-ups and innovations to end global hunger. Based in Munich, Germany, the Innovation Accelerator provides WFP employees, entrepreneurs, and start-ups with funding, hands-on support, and access to WFP's global operations. Through the Innovation Accelerator, WFP is leveraging unprecedented advances in digital innovation - such as mobile technology, artificial intelligence and blockchain - and new business models to transform the way it serves vulnerable communities across the world. In 2022, Accelerator supported innovations that positively impacted the lives of 37 million people globally. Most recently, the Accelerator runs programmes for external partners such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others.

More information here: and

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The consultant will report to the Head of Business Development of WFP Innovation Accelerator, and work in close coordination with the Communications, Advocacy, and Marketing Division (CAM). The consultant is expected to:

Lead the overall Marketing, Communications, and Knowledge Management efforts of the WFP Innovation Accelerator:

Build the WFP Innovation Accelerator external profile and presence.

Lead the Marketing, Communications and Knowledge Management team.

Feed into strategic and senior management conversations were appropriate.

Represent the Accelerator internally and externally in relevant Marketing, Communications and Knowledge Management related activities as required.

Develop, update, and implement annual Marketing, Communications and Knowledge Management strategies and plans for the Accelerator and supported innovations:

Devise and lead communications on the WFP Innovation Accelerator, its activities and portfolio projects; develop and guide corporate and Accelerator-level communications priorities.

Oversee the production and maintenance of up-to-date communication materials for the WFP Innovation Accelerator, specific to audiences and both online and traditional channels.

Manage press relations for both the Accelerator and Accelerator-supported innovations.

Attract high-potential social innovations from within WFP and external networks through events, public relations, and digital marketing activities.

Review all external communications materials, as aligned with the Head of WFP Innovation Accelerator.

Position the WFP Innovation Accelerator as industry/sector leader by drafting and editing articles, blogs, press releases to promote the WFP Innovation Accelerator.

Lead the growth of the WFP Innovation Accelerator's inbound marketing activities, such as:

Devise and lead a rich content/editorial calendar that attracts a qualified audience to key outlets (including blog posts, annual reports, webinars, social media platforms etc.).

Run integrated business to consumer (B2C) marketing campaigns through digital and social media channels.

Optimize marketing and innovation idea lead generation activities through a user- centered approach.

Attract and engage key audiences (start-ups, partners, donors, etc.) by converting website traffic through calls-to-action, landing pages, and lead generation content.

Manage social media profiles and presence, including Twitter and LinkedIn.

Track, measure and analyze all initiatives.

Lead other communications, marketing, and events needs as required:

Lead the development of materials for advocacy/fundraising purposes.

Prepare discussion documents and written reports as required for corporate priority topics and executive management meetings.

Execute any other task required to support the activities of the WFP Innovation Accelerator.

Actively lead the WFP Innovation Accelerator's development through effective management and act as a member of its management team:

Lead efforts with the overall goal of making the Accelerator a more effective platform in mind, while ensuring compliance with WFP policies in operations including facets such as the use of vendors and subcontractors, communications, partnerships, contracts, and reporting.

Provide analysis & content preparation for corporate priority topics and executive management meetings.

Take up lead roles in running workshops and events, core processes of the accelerator, as required.

Support the Head of the Innovation Accelerator and the Director of Innovation with any other activities and tasks as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

• Overall Marketing, Communications, and Knowledge Management efforts of the WFP Innovation Accelerator effectively led.
• Team members and teams under supervision are effectively managed.
• Efficient and effective processes in place and working.
• Ensure that all work and materials developed during the contract are well documented and available to the WFP Innovation Accelerator team.

 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

The candidate must have a bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, business, or other relevant studies. Master's degree is a plus.

Experience:

At least 8 (eight) years of progressively responsible international leadership and experience in communications, advertising, digital marketing, and business- related positions, of which at least 2 years must be in Business to Consumer (B2C) / Business to Business (B2B) digital marketing.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Experience in leading teams (at least of 8 team members), including work planning, operational management, and team development.
• Experience in working  and managing  teams  in  large organizations.
•  Experience in working in the humanitarian, development and/or impact sector is a plus.
• Experience and knowledge of the latest digital marketing tools and channels, including Customer Relationship Management platforms and marketing automation platforms.
• Experience creating and executing marketing campaigns and programs that drive customer engagement.
• Familiarity with digital marketing trends, lead generation, and sales processes. Strong working knowledge of social, digital, and analytics tools.
• Strong conceptual thinking to develop new marketing strategies and coordinate projects which have innovative elements.
• Ability to write effective copy is a necessity; graphic design capabilities are a plus.
• Ability to interact with leaders and external audiences with maturity and tact.
• Collaborative spirit able to liaise with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures and to act with credibility and diplomacy.
• Strong time management skills with an ability to plan ahead, anticipate requirements, problems, and obstacles, and an ability to juggle competing priorities successfully, and work to tight deadlines.
• Self-motivated and able to work with a high degree of autonomy.
• Fully committed to achieving the goals of the World Food Programme.
• Willing to travel to different field locations and challenging operating environments.

Languages:

Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory. Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP's working languages) is beneficial.

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: 

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 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.

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