Partnerships Specialist

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

Reporting Lines

The Partnerships Specialist will report to the Deputy Regional Representative (DRR) for Africa or an officer, the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) to be designated by the FAO Assistant Director-General/ Regional Representative (ADG/RR) for Africa.

Technical Focus

Partnership, resource mobilization (RM), external relations, grant/partnerships agreement negotiation, and capacity development.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Facilitate, support and monitor implementation of the FAO Resource Mobilization Action Plan (ReAP), the FAO Strategy for Partnerships with Civil Society Organizations and the FAO Strategy for Private Sector Engagement at the regional, sub regional and country level;.
• Ensures support to decentralized offices to mobilize resources and develop partnerships in line with defined corporate, regional, sub regional and national priorities
• Initiates contact with potential partners to explore funding/ partnerships opportunities, leads and/or support negotiations of funding/ partnerships agreements and project proposals with governments, regional and international organizations, United Nations agencies, private sector and civil society partners; maintains effective working relationships with key stakeholders throughout the project cycle, including supporting implementation, facilitates monitoring and compliance issues and ensures submission of reports, as required.
• Facilitates capacity development efforts in support of staff in the region with regard to resource mobilization and partnerships through policy guidance, production of training material and delivery of training.
• Organizes and facilitates marketing and outreach activities related to the FAO Strategic Framework and defined priority areas; facilitates and/or support partner meetings, events and outreach campaigns.
• Drafts briefs and other documents explaining donor/partner policies/trends and alerts senior management on major donor issues with proposals to improve FAO’s Partnerships in the region;
• Reviews the quality, consistency and appropriateness of country/regional- specific partnership materials, activities, processes and messages shared with partners;
• Analyses existing processes of working collaboratively with partners, including meetings, joint projects, information sharing, etc. and proposes improvements;
• Collaborates in capacity development activities involving the planning and organizing of training workshops, seminars, and major meetings and the preparation of related information, materials, on-line tools and information kits.
• Works in close coordination with Divisions at headquarters responsible for resource mobilization and partnerships, namely the Resource Mobilization Division (PSR) and the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU).
• Perform any other duties as may be required.

Specific Functions

• Provides catalytic support to resource mobilization for national/sub regional/ regional projects/programmes in the Africa region, including\:
• support decentralized offices on project/programme development/ formulation;
• organize and manage regular coordination on resource mobilization with the decentralized offices;
• lead, facilitate and/or support the organization and preparation of Resource Partner/Development Partner meetings;
• lead, facilitate and/or support the organization of regional RM and strategic partnership capacity development webinars/ meetings;
• support, advise and guide decentralized offices on country/ sub regional/ regional RM action plans, with a particular emphasis on support country-level actions guided by FAO’s Country Programme Framework (CPF).

• Provides catalytic support to strategic partnerships and alliances with the relevant stakeholders including Non-State Actors (NSAs) in the Africa region including\:
• facilitate and promote collaboration and engagement with key strategic partners including NSAs;
• lead, facilitate and/or support negotiation of formal relationships with key strategic partners;
• exploration of new strategic partnerships and/or engagement with the private sector;
• initiate and coordinate of outreach activities;
• lead and facilitate capacity development training workshops and seminars;
• facilitation of civil society organizations (CSOs) and private sector engagement in the Regional Conference for Africa (ARC).

• Support and coordinate the implementation of the Hand-in-Hand Initiative in the region for investment facilitation, and public and private sector engagement, including\:
• lead, facilitate and/or support to regional investment and knowledge sharing events/ activities;
• support country/ sub regional level investment events/activities;
• Monitor, consolidate and report the progress of the implementation of the Hand-in-Hand Initiative in the region.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in international relations, public relations, political science, international cooperation for development, development economics or a related field
• Seven years of relevant experience in international cooperation for development, donor aid programmes, government, fundraising, negotiations and/or public relations/advocacy or related areas
• Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in partnership building, fundraising, negotiations, public relations/advocacy preferably in the areas of food, social and economic development.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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