Partnerships Specialist

• 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 member nations, 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is the specialized Agency of the United Nations leading international efforts to defeat hunger. The Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the identification, strengthening and stewardship of strategic partnerships with non-state actors and UN entities, including with the other Rome-based agencies, parliamentarians, civil society, academia and research institutions, family farmers’ and indigenous peoples’ organizations in support of FAO’s objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PSU has the lead responsibility for the implementation of the Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI), the UN Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028), the FAO Policy on Indigenous Peoples, and the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact. Reporting Lines The incumbent will work under the general guidance of the Head of Partnerships Unit, within PSU, and under the direct supervision of the Team Leader of the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Team. When activities are carried out in countries, the incumbent will be required to work in close collaboration with the FAO Representations of the relevant countries as well as the relevant FAO regional offices. Technical Focus Strengthening FAO’s capacities in developing strategic and effective partnerships. Map and analyse existing CSO partnerships in the decentralized offices as well as in HQ to identify strengths and gaps. Document lessons learned and prepare other knowledge products on how to establish strategic partnerships and disseminate for internal use. Tasks and responsibilities The assigned tasks and responsibilities include the following: • Undertake a comprehensive mapping and analysis of current CSO engagements (including formal partnerships) to identify lessons learned and good practices to increase the effectiveness of the engagement with CSOs in the work of the Organization. • Develop a mapping methodology for national level mapping exercises in close liaison with country and regional offices. • Organize and conduct interviews/consultations with relevant FAO officers (in HQ and Decentralised Offices) on the state of engagement with CSOs. • Document best practices and innovations from and with CSO partners in order to share the knowledge among HQ technical units and decentralized offices. • Develop guidance notes and specific tools to orient FAO staff (both at HQ and Decentralized levels) to strengthen their engagement with CSO partners and other stakeholders to streamline processes and instruments for developing effective partnerships within FAO’s new Strategic Framework 2022-2031 and Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs). • Liaise with regional offices to identify pilot countries to develop a mechanism for promoting strategic programmatic partnerships within the Country Programming Frameworks and FAO’s new Strategic Framework. CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, social sciences, economics, agricultural sciences or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • Five to seven years of relevant professional experience in developing partnerships with non-state actors, of which at least two years working directly in or with CSOs, producer organizations, or cooperatives. • Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian. FAO Core Competencies • Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement Technical/Functional Skills • Work experience in more than one low-income country. • Extent and relevance of experience in designing, planning and undertaking stakeholder analysis/mapping. • Extent and relevance of experience in effectively supporting decentralized offices to develop their contextualized partnerships strategy. • Extent and relevance of experience in establishing partnerships, networks, and multi-stakeholder platforms with non-state actor partners. • Familiarity with FAO’s partnerships strategies and practices with non-state actors an asset. • Ability to operate effectively in a team, contributing positively to team operations and working relationships. • Excellent analytical and conceptual skills, as well as gender sensitive and cross-cultural competency. • Excellent writing skills. Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency