Partnership Support Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The FAO Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean (FAO/SLC) is part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Established to assist member countries in addressing climate change and environmental degradation in the agriculture sector, FAO/SLC collaborates with various divisions within FAO to enhance policy development and strategic interventions. The organization focuses on building capacities for accessing climate and environmental finance, sharing best practices, and managing projects related to climate resilience and disaster risk reduction. FAO is recognized internationally for its role in supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and operates in multiple countries across the Caribbean, emphasizing sustainable agri-food systems and environmental conservation.

Job Overview:
The Partnership Support Specialist will play a crucial role in providing administrative and operational support for the implementation and monitoring of partnership agreements within the FAO framework. This position requires collaboration with technical teams during various project stages, including identification, formulation, appraisal, and approval. The specialist will coordinate partnership consultation meetings, draft essential documents such as results matrices and work plans, and ensure quality assurance for Operational Partner Agreement (OPA) packages. The role also involves monitoring partnerships, reviewing expenditure reports, and providing logistical support for field visits. The specialist will be responsible for documenting field visits and coordinating awareness-building sessions with partners, ensuring effective communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Partnership Support Specialist include:

• Providing operational support to technical teams during the identification, formulation, appraisal, and approval stages of projects executed under the partnership modality.
• Screening Operational Partners for prioritization and selection, requesting due diligence screenings, and conducting capacity assessments.
• Coordinating partnership consultation meetings prior to the implementation phase, including drafting the results matrix, work plan, budget, and procurement and subcontracting plan.
• Compiling Operational Partner Agreement (OPA) packages for quality assurance and submitting them for review.
• Supporting amendments to partnership agreements, including completing amended OPAs and managing budget revisions.
• Monitoring partnerships by reviewing expenditure reports, tracking timelines for OPAs, and alerting relevant personnel as needed.
• Providing logistical support for partnership field visits, including travel arrangements and schedule coordination.
• Documenting field visits and ensuring reports are uploaded to FAO’s Field Performance Management Information System.
• Providing administrative support for meetings and coordinating capacity development sessions with partners. 1
• Performing any other related duties as required by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in fields such as Business Management, Accounting, Office Management, Procurement, Contracting, or other related disciplines. Additionally, candidates should have at least 2 years of relevant experience in operational and contract processing. A working knowledge of English is essential, and candidates must be nationals of Barbados.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree from an accredited institution recognized by the IAU/UNESCO. The degree should be in a relevant field such as Business Management, Accounting, Office Management, Procurement, or Contracting, which equips the candidate with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform effectively in the role.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in operational and contract processing. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to manage partnerships, coordinate projects, and provide administrative support effectively. Familiarity with the FAO's operational modalities and partnership frameworks will be advantageous.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if it enhances communication with diverse stakeholders in the Caribbean region.

Additional Notes:
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. It is important to note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearances.