National Public-Private Partnerships Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an international organization that leads global efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established in 1945, FAO works in over 130 countries, employing thousands of professionals dedicated to achieving food security for all. The organization focuses on various aspects of agriculture, including sustainable practices, food safety, and rural development, aligning its initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). FAO's mission is to support member states in mobilizing responsible private-sector engagement and public-private partnerships (PPPs) to transform agrifood systems effectively. The organization emphasizes the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors to enhance resource mobilization and implement effective agrifood strategies, particularly in resource-constrained contexts such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Job Overview:
The National Public-Private Partnerships Specialist will play a crucial role in the FAO's TCP project titled 'Innovative Pathways for Agrifood Systems: A SIDS Perspective' in Mauritius. This position is designed to facilitate the establishment of an Agrifood Public-Private Coalition that goes beyond mere consultation to create actionable collaborations that align with national priorities and regional frameworks. The specialist will work under the supervision of the FAO Deputy Representative in Madagascar and will be responsible for strategic leadership and technical guidance in developing partnerships that mobilize financial and in-kind resources. The primary objective is to operationalize concrete public-private collaborations in the agrifood sector, ensuring that these partnerships are mutually beneficial and ready for implementation. The role requires close coordination with national counterparts and stakeholders to achieve the project's goals effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National PPP Specialist will be tasked with a variety of responsibilities, including: conducting comprehensive stakeholder mapping of public institutions, private companies, financial institutions, and producer organizations within the agrifood sector; developing a detailed PPP stakeholder database; identifying and assessing potential private-sector partners based on their investment interests and capacity for engagement in PPPs; designing and creating documentation for the Agrifood Public-Private Coalition, including Expressions of Intent and Terms of Reference; facilitating stakeholder consultations to establish the Coalition and validate its governance framework; developing and maintaining an Agrifood Investment Tracker to monitor ongoing investments and PPP initiatives; preparing periodic investment analyses and reports; structuring at least three bankable PPP concepts aligned with national agrifood priorities; preparing investment pitch decks and facilitating engagement sessions between public institutions and private-sector partners; providing technical support during negotiations and formalization of PPP agreements; and developing implementation action plans to monitor the readiness of formalized partnerships.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in fields such as Economics, Business Administration, Agribusiness, Public Administration, Development Studies, Agricultural Economics, Finance, Law, or a related discipline. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in public-private partnerships (PPPs), private sector engagement, investment promotion, or agribusiness development is required. Candidates should also demonstrate a working knowledge of English and French at Level C, and must be nationals of Mauritius.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in relevant fields such as Economics, Business Administration, Agribusiness, Public Administration, Development Studies, Agricultural Economics, Finance, Law, or similar areas. The degree must be from an institution accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as public-private partnerships (PPPs), private sector engagement, investment promotion, or agribusiness development. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in negotiating or operationalizing PPPs or private-sector agreements, as well as experience in stakeholder mapping and partnership development.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English and French is mandatory for this position, with proficiency at Level C in both languages. This bilingual requirement is essential for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the agrifood sector.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates should be aware that the appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Furthermore, FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions recognized in the WHED. For additional employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.