Partnerships Officer

Rome

Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Location: Rome
Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
Closing Date: 2025-04-30

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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• 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 Members and persons 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 FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

The Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) is FAO's hub to ensure rights-based and sustainable development for all, leaving no one behind. PSU builds transformative partnerships and proactively engages with key stakeholders, including family farmers, Indigenous Peoples, parliamentarians, academia, research institutions, UN organizations and civil society. PSU drives a people-centred approach through technical support, capacity development, policy advice and inclusive dialogue. All of this contributes to enhance countries' capacity to end hunger, malnutrition and poverty and achieve more inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems, with and for the people.

The position of Partnerships Officer is located in the Private Sector Unit (PSUS) of the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division, at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Partnerships Officer reports to the Chief, Private Sector of the Private Sector Unit, within the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division. He/she will be required to work with the divisions in FAO headquarters and Regional and Decentralized Offices.

Technical Focus

Strengthen and foster partnerships with private sector entities in support of the FAO mandate and Strategic Framework 2021-2030.
Provide policy support and share knowledge and good practices on transformative partnerships with private sector.
Monitor partnerships with private sector entities at all levels and report to key internal and external stakeholders on the results.

Key Results

Support the development of partnerships in Headquarters and Decentralized Offices in support of the Strategic Framework of the Organization.

Key Functions

Identifies, assess and develops, with the appropriate technical divisions, possible collaborations and partnerships with private sector entities for the fulfilment of the Strategic Framework, both at headquarters and decentralized levels.
Provides guidance and support to staff at headquarters and in Decentralized Offices (DOs) on implementing corporate requirements related to partnerships with the private sector.
Elaborates an annual work plan with the priorities and main activities of private sector entities, which will be aligned with FAO's Strategic Framework and programmes.
Establishes links with different FAO entities and governing bodies, including the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and other relevant regional and national fora on policy discussions to strengthen partnerships with private sector entities.
Develops tools for capacity building among staff in headquarters and DOs to strengthen FAO's capacity of partnering with the private sector.
Contributes to the elaboration and execution of the Monitoring and Evaluation system of FAO's partnerships.
Participates in multidisciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other Divisions/Offices/Centres on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.

Specific Functions

Contributes to the mainstreaming of the impactful partnerships concept within headquarters, regional or national levels, and shares knowledge and good practices.
Conducts the analysis of existing internal policies and processes on engagement with private sector partners and proposes improvements.
Facilitates the development of effective private sector partnership model by identifying and analysing both successful past and ongoing collaborations, as well as challenging cases.
Supports the organization of events, meetings and webinars with partners.
Contributes to the maintenance of connect portal/Consumer Relationship Management (CRM) on private sector collaboration for internal and external use.
Prepares outreach materials, briefs and speaking points on matters relevant to the unit.
Performs other related duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree in international relations, social sciences, economics, environmental or agricultural studies or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization.
Five years of relevant experience in international cooperation for development, analysis, planning and management of policies and programmes, including with the private sector and other non-state actors; negotiations and/or public relations/advocacy; or related areas.
Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO Official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
Extent and relevance of experience in partnership building, networks and multi-stakeholder platforms and identifying synergies and opportunities preferably in the areas of food security, social and economic development.
Knowledge of FAO's strategy for private sector partnerships is considered an asset.
Ability to collaborate 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.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link\: https\://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include\:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection

FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes\:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.
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HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.

Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

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