Transformative Partnerships Expert Role at Save the Children:Apply by 24 May 2026

The growing demand for innovative humanitarian and development solutions has transformed the way non-governmental organizations engage with the private sector. Organizations are increasingly seeking professionals who can bridge the gap between corporate sustainability goals and social impact initiatives. The newly announced Transformative Partnerships Expert role at Save the Children reflects this evolving trend, emphasizing strategic partnerships, ESG integration, and sustainable development.

Based in Rome, the position offers an exciting opportunity for professionals passionate about humanitarian work, corporate engagement, and systemic social change.

Understanding the Purpose of the Role

The Transformative Partnerships Expert position is designed to strengthen collaborative efforts between the humanitarian sector and private organizations. The role focuses heavily on creating impactful partnerships that extend beyond traditional funding models.

Rather than viewing corporations solely as donors, the role encourages partnerships that leverage:

• Technical expertise
• Supply chain integration
• Financial resources
• Innovation capabilities
• Operational infrastructure

This approach supports long-term development outcomes while aligning business priorities with measurable social impact.

The successful candidate will work closely with internal departments and external stakeholders to create programs capable of delivering sustainable results at scale.

Key Responsibilities of the Position

The role combines strategic planning, partnership management, and project development. Candidates are expected to contribute to both organizational growth and humanitarian impact.

Strategy Development and Opportunity Identification

A major component of the position involves identifying new partnership opportunities and conducting market intelligence research. The expert will help shape transformative partnership strategies aligned with organizational priorities.

Core responsibilities include:

• Conducting strategic market analysis
• Mapping corporate and institutional partnership opportunities
• Supporting value chain strategies
• Assessing risks and business implications
• Contributing to go/no-go decision-making processes
• Supporting engagement strategies for transformative partnerships

The role also focuses on opportunities connected to multi-stakeholder collaborations such as Global Gateway initiatives and partnerships involving academia and institutions.

Partnership Development and Program Design

Another important aspect of the position is the coordination of collaborative program development. The expert will work across departments and with external actors to design innovative projects.

Key duties include:

• Developing concept notes and funding proposals
• Designing transformative programs
• Supporting partnership pitches and presentations
• Participating in cross-functional working groups
• Maintaining relationships with strategic corporate partners
• Monitoring partnership implementation progress

This responsibility requires strong coordination skills and the ability to align diverse stakeholder interests toward common development goals.

The Growing Importance of ESG and Sustainable Supply Chains

One of the defining features of the role is its focus on ESG and responsible supply chains. ESG, which stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance principles, has become a critical area of focus for corporations worldwide.

The Transformative Partnerships Expert will help integrate:

• Human rights standards
• Sustainability practices
• Due diligence frameworks
• Shared value approaches
• Impact-driven business strategies

By incorporating these principles into project design and donor engagement, organizations can build partnerships that create meaningful social impact while supporting corporate sustainability objectives.

This reflects a broader shift in the humanitarian sector toward collaboration models that emphasize accountability, innovation, and measurable outcomes.

Skills and Qualifications Required

The position requires a blend of academic qualifications, professional experience, and interpersonal abilities.

Candidates are expected to possess:

• A university degree in Economics, Business, Sustainability, Development Studies, or related fields
• Four to six years of experience in strategic partnership development
• Experience working with NGOs, corporations, and public institutions
• Knowledge of ESG frameworks and sustainability strategies
• Strong project management skills
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities

Experience in developing countries is considered an added advantage, highlighting the organization’s emphasis on global perspectives and field understanding.

Fluency in both Italian and English is mandatory, reflecting the international nature of the role.

Why Transformative Partnerships Matter in Humanitarian Work

Traditional funding models alone are no longer sufficient to address today’s complex humanitarian and development challenges. Climate change, economic inequality, migration, and global supply chain disruptions require collaborative and innovative solutions.

Transformative partnerships help organizations:

• Scale development programs more effectively
• Access new technologies and expertise
• Improve sustainability outcomes
• Strengthen community resilience
• Create long-term systemic change

By working closely with private sector partners, humanitarian organizations can unlock new opportunities for innovation and impact.

This role demonstrates how humanitarian organizations are evolving to meet modern challenges through strategic collaboration and integrated approaches.

Career Growth Opportunities in the Sector

Professionals working in transformative partnerships often gain exposure to multiple sectors, including humanitarian response, sustainability, corporate responsibility, and international development.

The role can lead to future opportunities in:

• Corporate sustainability leadership
• International development consulting
• ESG advisory services
• Humanitarian program management
• Public-private partnership development

As organizations continue prioritizing cross-sector collaboration, demand for professionals with partnership-building expertise is expected to grow significantly.

Final Thoughts

The Transformative Partnerships Expert position at Save the Children represents a modern and strategic approach to humanitarian collaboration. By focusing on ESG integration, supply chain sustainability, and innovative partnership models, the role aims to create scalable and lasting impact for vulnerable communities.

For professionals interested in combining humanitarian values with corporate engagement and sustainability strategy, this opportunity offers a meaningful and forward-thinking career path in the international development sector.

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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.