Government Liaison Officer

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace and prosperity. WFP supports national governments in achieving Sustainable Development Goals by strengthening systems for food security, resilience, and climate adaptation. In Angola, WFP provides technical assistance focused on agricultural development, food security, school feeding, and early warning systems, aligning with national priorities and government requests.

Job Purpose

The Government Liaison Officer will serve as the primary strategic interface between WFP and the Government of Angola, fostering high-level policy dialogue and strengthening partnerships, particularly with International Financial Institutions (IFIs). This role is crucial for ensuring WFP's development cooperation aligns with Angola's mid-term development strategy and institutional priorities, positioning WFP as a partner of choice. The incumbent will lead WFP's engagement with key government ministries and agencies, providing strategic advice to WFP management on stakeholder engagement and ensuring alignment between WFP operations and national development priorities. Responsibilities include building and maintaining trusted relationships with senior government officials, facilitating structured engagements, coordinating joint initiatives, and supporting resource mobilization efforts. The officer will also advise WFP leadership on diplomatic engagement, navigate sensitive issues, and ensure WFP's contributions are visible and recognized within national policy platforms and development financing processes.

Responsibilities

The Strategic Partnerships Officer - Government Engagement will act as the primary liaison between the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Angola. This role is crucial for aligning WFP's development cooperation with Angola's national development strategy and positioning WFP as a preferred partner. Key responsibilities include leading engagement strategies with government ministries and decision-makers to ensure WFP's operations, focusing on areas like agriculture, nutrition, school feeding, and climate resilience, are in sync with national priorities. The officer will maintain strong relationships with senior government officials, providing strategic insights and facilitating high-level policy dialogue. This involves preparing briefing materials, coordinating joint missions, and representing WFP in key government and International Financial Institution (IFI) meetings. Additionally, the role involves building and strengthening partnerships with ministries and IFIs to advance food security and other national development goals, supporting government-led initiatives, and contributing to resource mobilization efforts. The officer will also provide advisory support to WFP management on diplomatic engagement, political-economy considerations, and national policy changes, ensuring WFP's compliance and adaptive strategies. A significant aspect is enhancing WFP's visibility and positioning as a trusted partner in both humanitarian response and development support within Angola.

Work Experience

Requires a minimum of eight years of progressive experience in government relations, public sector coordination, partnership management, or policy engagement.

Skills

Government Relations, Public Sector Coordination, Partnership Management, Policy Engagement, Development Finance, Multistakeholder Partnerships, Food Security, Nutrition Security, Climate Adaptation, Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Risk Reduction, Social Protection, Agricultural Development, School Feeding, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Resource Mobilization, Advocacy, Diplomatic Engagement, Negotiation, Influencing Decisions, Networking, Interpersonal Skills, Analytical Skills, Cross-cultural Communication, Project Management, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Strategic Planning, Risk Management, Knowledge Management, Public Administration, Private Partnerships

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