Are you an experienced professional specialised in global partnerships? Are you interested in establishing strategic, sustainable, equitable and reciprocal partnerships for food- and ecosystem system transformation? This position as a Senior Partnership Advisor at Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation might be something for you.

Global challenges are manyfold and their consequences are affecting all of us. Current geopolitical dynamics further aggravate a number of these challenges, including those that are related to the WCDI mandate area of work: sustainable, inclusive and resilient food- and ecosystems. The world of international collaboration is changing and modalities of collaboration between partners across the global North and the global South are shifting. Academia, practioners and policy makers increasingly recognize that bringing together different perspectives and (sources of) knowledge broadens the base from which innovations and solutions for global challenges can be designed. Working in equal partnerships and ensuring embedding and ownership where it belongs enhance adaptable solutions and (joint) implementation, with sustainability and meaningful impact as results.

Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (WCDI) intends to redefine and establish longer term, sustainable and equitable partnerships with partners in the global South: knowledge institutes (e.g. universities, TVETs, research institutes & centres, and knowledge networks), NGOs/CSOs and private sector. As a Global Partnership Advisor you will lead the further development and implementation of this WCDI Global Partnership ambition.

At Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (WCDI), our work portfolio focusses on contributing to sustainable, inclusive and resilient food- and ecosystems and contains short-term and longer-term assignments. We work with partners in Africa, Asia, the MENA region and to a lesser extend Latin America. You are expected to build and guide effective and equitable partnerships between WCDI and partners in the Global South.

In your role as Global Partnership Advisor, you will facilitate the dialogue and critical reflection on partnerships to come to strategic, sustainable, equitable and reciprocal partnerships to jointly deliver on our projects with a more sustainable and meaningful impact. You will work closely with the WCDI scientific advisors, project leaders as well as with the existing and possible future partners in the global South. Based upon these interactions you co-define a set of criteria to identify promising partners for collaboration. These partners should be visited to further the discussions on the modus operandi for sustainable and equitable partnerships. These findings will support you in developing a validated Global Partnership approach and you can guide your colleagues in the establishment / further development of sustainable and equitable partnerships with the partners in the global South.

• MSc or PhD degree in Social Sciences, International Development, Development studies or any other relevant field for the job;
• A minimum of fifteen years of relevant work experience, with at least five years of work experience in Africa and/or Asia;
• Proven ability to engage in strategic partnership dialogues and to provide strategic advice, proven ability to (co-)facilitate partnerships;
• Good knowledge and understanding of the mandate area of WCDI: Sustainable and Equitable Food Systems Transformations;
• A strong international network, preferably in the agri-food sector in LMICs;
• Strong communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with people from a variety of disciplinary, cultural backgrounds and different levels of authority.
• A result oriented team player, who is also client oriented and stress resistant;
• Self-motivation, being comfortable working both independently and as part of interdisciplinary teams
• Willingness to travel extensively (short missions);
• Excellent English; other language skills, preferably French, will be an asset.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 4%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between €3.527,- and €6.229,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research. We offer a temporay position of 1 year, with the option for extension.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the "Best University" in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR's Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!



We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.