Project and Partnership Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) is a part of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The division is dedicated to conducting economic research and policy analysis aimed at transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. ESA's mission is to support better production, nutrition, environment, and life, ensuring that no one is left behind. Established as part of FAO's broader efforts, ESA operates globally, providing evidence-based support to various policy processes and initiatives. The division is responsible for producing flagship publications such as The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) and The State of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI), and it plays a crucial role in the FAO Global Roadmap.

Job Overview:
The Project and Partnership Specialist will play a vital role in supporting the Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) by managing relationships with key stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, donors, and private sector entities. This position requires the specialist to facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues and joint initiatives, contributing to the advancement of agrifood systems transformation. The role involves coordinating various divisional projects, preparing written outputs such as background papers and analytical notes, and organizing workshops and events relevant to agrifood policies reform. The specialist will also participate in recruitment processes for affiliate personnel and ensure alignment across different projects within the division. The position demands a proactive approach to stakeholder engagement and project management, with a focus on achieving the division's strategic objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and support divisional projects focused on agrifood policies reform and systems transformation, including the development of workplans and recruitment plans.
• Prepare various written outputs such as background papers, analytical notes, articles, and sections of reports.
• Organize workshops, webinars, and other events relevant to divisional projects.
• Participate in the selection and recruitment of affiliate workforce candidates.
• Identify and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, facilitating dialogues and joint initiatives.
• Devise and review funding proposals and strategies for projects.
• Prepare technical reports, policy briefs, and strategic documents for both internal and external audiences.
• Ensure compliance with FAO standards and guidelines in all communication materials.
• Liaise with relevant FAO divisions to ensure alignment across different pillars of work and projects.

Required Qualifications:

• For Consultants: An advanced university degree in international relations, public policy, communication, or related fields from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. Consultants with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• For PSAs: A university degree in the same fields as above.
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience for category C, 5 years for category B, and 10 years for category A in partnership management, project management, public affairs, or similar roles.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in international relations, public policy, communication, or related fields from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. For those applying as PSAs, a university degree in the same fields is acceptable. Additional experience is required for those with a bachelor's degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience for category C, 5 years for category B, and 10 years for category A in areas such as partnership management, project management, and public affairs. Candidates should have experience in managing multi-stakeholder relationships and supporting resource mobilization efforts.

Languages:
A working knowledge (level C) of English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another FAO official language, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, would be considered an asset and is encouraged for candidates to possess.

Additional Notes:
The job posting does not specify a deadline for applications. The position may involve working in multiple locations, and it is essential for candidates to be adaptable and willing to engage with diverse stakeholders across various sectors. The role is likely to be full-time, and candidates should be prepared for a dynamic work environment that requires strong communication and coordination skills.