Resource Mobilization Specialist / Special Assistant

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to More efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life, leaving no one behind..

The Resource Mobilization and Private Sector Partnerships Division (PSR) leads and coordinates the mobilization of voluntary contributions (currently 70 percent of FAO's budget) in support of the Organization's strategic priorities. PSR manages FAO's relations with resource partners, strategically matching partners' interests to those of the Organization, and supports the negotiation of approximately 800 trust fund agreements per year. It mounts marketing analysis and campaigns around global development opportunities, provides market and business intelligence and positioning services to management as well as resource mobilization capacity development to decentralized and headquarters offices. PSR also oversees and coordinates results reporting to ensure accountability to resource partners.

The Resource Mobilization and Private Sector Partnerships Division (PSR) leads and coordinates the mobilization of voluntary contributions (currently 70 percent of FAO’s budget) in support of the Organization’s strategic priorities. PSR manages FAO’s relations with resource partners, strategically matching partners’ interests to those of the Organization, and supports the negotiation of approximately 800 trust fund agreements per year. It mounts marketing analysis and campaigns around global development opportunities, provides market and business intelligence and positioning services to management as well as resource mobilization capacity development to decentralized and headquarters offices. PSR also oversees and coordinates results reporting to ensure accountability to resource partners.

This Resource Mobilization Specialist / Special Assistant assignment is under the general guidance of the Head of Unit for the Global Partners Unit and the supervision of the Team Leader for Emerging Partners and International Financial Institutions (IFI)s, the Resource Mobilization Specialist / Special Assistant will provide support to resource partner relations and outreach, and FAO and partner compliance of voluntary contributions within FAO’s Strategic Framework. In doing this, the Resource Mobilization Specialist / Special Assistant will contribute to the achievement of the Unit’s goals as per the Corporate Resource Mobilization Action Plan (ReMAP) and in line with the Unit’s annual workplan.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Deputy Director, the UN Volunteer Resource Mobilization Officer will contribute:

Resource Partner Relations & Outreach
• Liaise with resource partner countries or funding institutions to facilitate, coordinate and enhance resource mobilization opportunities.
• Identify new resource mobilization opportunities within existing and new partners in the portfolio.
• Monitor resource partner priorities and share insights to guide FAO’s positioning and outreach.
• Develop tailored engagement strategies to guide the corporate approach to resource partners at various stages of the funding cycle in coordination with other relevant divisions and decentralized offices.
• Analyze current and potential resource partners’ funding priorities, processes and eligibility criteria through examining their partner strategies, through regular communication, meetings, and participation in relevant events.
• Gather and analyze resource partner intelligence, funding data and trends, support the preparation of briefs, presentations, and talking points in collaboration with the PSR Marketing Unit.
• Support decentralized offices and technical units to develop compelling project proposals, ensuring alignment with donor priorities and FAO’s strategic objectives.
• Contribute to the preparation of training materials and capacity development sessions.
Agreements & Compliance Support
• Support team members during peak times in the preparation and negotiation of funding agreements and related agreements in full compliance with the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of FAO, including in full compliance with the FAO Financial Rules and Regulations.
• Support team members in the negotiation and coordination of the establishment of framework agreements, standard template funding agreements or other tools with the aim of facilitating the contracting process and timeline within the portfolio.
• Review and clear project progress reports before submission to resource partners.
Additional tasks:
• Perform any other related duties as required.