Director, Partnership and UN Collaboration Division (PSU)

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to combat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide, focusing on achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to high-quality food. The organization emphasizes the importance of political commitment and strategic partnerships to meet the Zero Hunger Challenge, which is central to its mission. FAO's effectiveness as a policy-making forum relies heavily on its ability to collaborate with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, the private sector, and academia, to leverage their knowledge and resources in the fight against hunger. The Partnership and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) plays a crucial role in FAO's engagement with the UN Development System, developing capacities, fostering dialogues, and advocating for FAO's corporate positions in alignment with its Strategic Framework 2022-31 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The Director of the Partnership and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) at FAO is responsible for providing strategic, managerial, and technical leadership for the Division's work. This role involves facilitating the management of corporate activities and ensuring that FAO's work aligns with its mandate. The Director will lead efforts to establish transformative partnerships with various actors within the UN system and with external stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and academic institutions. The position requires a visionary leader who can coordinate FAO's Strategy for Private Sector Engagement (2021-2025) and explore innovative partnership modalities to address challenges in agrifood systems. The Director will also be responsible for fostering strong relationships with partners, establishing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and ensuring adherence to responsible business practices. Additionally, the Director will represent FAO at high-level meetings and oversee the Division's program of work, ensuring effective use of resources and the implementation of the approved work plan in support of FAO's strategic objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Director's duties and responsibilities include leading the Division's work towards achieving its mandate, providing strategic vision and coordination for FAO's partnerships, implementing the Strategy for Private Sector Engagement, exploring new collaboration approaches, fostering relationships with stakeholders, establishing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, ensuring liaison with FAO Members, promoting FAO's efforts for agrifood systems transformation, representing the Organization at high-level meetings, managing the Division's program of work, and maintaining a motivated workforce through recruitment and staff development. The Director will also supervise the preparation of FAO publications and media materials related to the Division's mandate and perform other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in social sciences, international development, international relations, or a relevant area related to FAO's mandate. They should have at least fifteen years of professional experience in managing intercultural teams, developing and implementing partnerships, and collaborating with the United Nations Common System. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to work in partnership with various stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society, and possess strong intellectual, managerial, and strategic leadership skills. Experience in multilateral negotiations, resource mobilization, and providing advice to governments is essential. Candidates should also have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven track record of leading diverse teams in an international environment.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in social sciences, international development, international relations, or any other relevant area of FAO's mandate is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of global food security and the various stakeholders involved in achieving FAO's objectives.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of fifteen years of professional experience in relevant fields, particularly in managing intercultural teams and developing partnerships. This experience should include working with a variety of partners and collaboration within the United Nations system. Demonstrated leadership in strategic initiatives and successful resource mobilization is also required, along with experience in multilateral negotiations and providing policy advice to governments.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at a proficient level (C) is mandatory, along with a limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) at an intermediate level (B). This language proficiency is crucial for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders across different regions.

Additional Notes:
The position is located at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. It is a senior-level role that requires full-time commitment. The Director will be responsible for overseeing the Division's program of work and ensuring the effective use of financial and human resources based on Results Based Management principles. The role involves significant interaction with various stakeholders, including high-level representatives from governments and international organizations, and may require travel for meetings and conferences.