Partnership Officer (Congressional and Civil Society Liaison)

Organizational context

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and  advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

Post's organizational accountability

As part of the External Relations and Governance Department (ERG), the Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization (GPR) Division has a specific focus on global engagement, partnerships (including with the private sector, foundations, bilateral and multilateral organizations), and on driving the resource mobilization efforts with traditional and non-traditional donors and partners. Within this framework, the GPR Division addresses three main functions: (i) Global engagement and multilateral relations; (ii) South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC); and (iii) replenishment, resource mobilization and advocacy.

The GPR Division is organized in three teams, each led by a Chief Partnership Officer, working to address the aforementioned functions, and broadly charged with the following focus areas:

• UN engagement, US and Americas relations (government, financial institutions, and civil society), World Bank, GAFSP, IDB, private sector and foundations, CFS, G20 and RBA relations.
• SSTC, China and Brazil relations, AIIB and BRICS, private sector
• Replenishment process, supplementary funds management, private sector, Europe, Asia and Pacific, Africa and Arab/Gulf states relations (government, financial institutions, and civil society), ADB, AfDB, EU, EBRD, EIB, IsDB.

The purpose of the Partnership Officer position is to deepen corporate level collaboration with key stakeholders and provide an interface for environmental scanning, knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, and policy influence within the scope of assignment. S/He may also serve as focal point and resource for GPR colleagues on specific thematic areas of strategic relevance for partnership development. The key result is to ensure greater visibility and influence for IFAD in support of its mission. The Partnership Officer is assigned to a geographical portfolio which may include one or more member states, e.g. Member states in Europe, Asia & Pacific, Africa & Arab/Gulf; or to a focus-area portfolio, which may include relations with high level committees or organizational relations, e.g. World Bank, CFS, G20 and RBA.

The Partnership Officer works under the general supervision of the Chief Partnership Officer or Senior Partnership Officer within cross-functional key partner management teams to leverage relationship management skills, assets and, most importantly, professional social networks.

Partnership Officers are experts in their focus areas. They provide technical expertise and develop new approaches which materially expand the range of services or programmes delivered to closely support internal and external stakeholders. Partnership Officers work collaboratively with the other colleagues across the GPR Division to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support within their assigned portfolios. In this function, the accountabilities/key results include: 

1. Contributing to Promoting, Advocating and Communicating Divisional Priorities
2. Developing and Supporting Partnership Strategies
3. Providing Technical Expertise of Global Policy Engagement, SSTC, Replenishment, Resource Mobilization and Advocacy
4. Acting as Focal Point for Outreach, Engagement, Policy Influence and Collaboration
5. Managerial Functions

In this specific position, a strong knowledge of the United States political context is essential, particularly in terms of various interlocutors' development and assistance priorities.

Key results expected / Major functional activities

Contributing to promoting, advocating and communicating divisional priorities

The Partnership Officer seeks and promotes new partnerships and resource mobilisation opportunities, working with IFAD colleagues to identify needs and broker resource mobilisation agreements to meet those needs.  Receives and screens inquiries from potential collaborators and facilitates communication with appropriate IFAD staff.  Scans and scouts external environment within designated focus areas for opportunities and risks and shares information in a timely fashion with relevant IFAD staff. Provides strategic, logistical and programmatic support to senior management and other IFAD staff in corporate engagement and interaction with assigned partners.

Developing and supporting partnership strategies

The Partnership Officer collaborates with internal stakeholders to strengthen IFADs approach to partnerships. S/he develops annual partnership engagement and resource mobilisation plans and supports the implementation of partnership strategies within assigned portfolios. S/he builds IFAD's institutional capacity and knowledge for its partnership performance and ensures the development of efficient approaches for partnership knowledge management.

Providing technical expertise of Global Policy Engagement, SSTC, and replenishment, resource mobilization and advocacy

The Partnership Officer is responsible for providing technical expertise to the development and implementation of corporate strategies for the engagement in global policy debates.  S/he supports and contributes to IFAD’s engagement in SSTC and other policy dialogues, including replenishment, resource mobilization and advocacy.

S/he develops and maintains deep knowledge and familiarity with current and prospective partners and relevant stakeholders;  utilizes this knowledge to contribute to a database of key contacts and to IFAD’s base of knowledge on partnership and resource mobilization. 

Acting as focal point for outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration

Acts as focal point for identification and pursuit of opportunities for outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration, including on how to anticipate and respond to partners’ concerns and priorities, ensure that IFAD’s interests, perspectives, and knowledge are taken into account in relevant policy and institutional processes, and ensure that they are fully aware of IFAD’s perspectives, policies, priorities and capabilities. Contribute to the development and management of initiatives for high-level outreach, including for IFAD Senior Management.

Contributes to strategies for engagement and the development of communications products to enhance IFAD’s visibility and influence with existing and prospective partners and key stakeholders by providing analysis of the current environment and trends and formulating recommendations for strategy approaches and message development. Works closely with IFAD colleagues to ensure that policy advocacy and outreach is strongly grounded in the experience and insights of the programmes that IFAD supports. Contributes written inputs for communications instruments that best inform and influence decision makers.

With specific reference to this particular position – involving outreach with U.S. Congress, the civil society and international development community, and other partners:

• Ensures the effective and efficient implementation of the outreach and advocacy strategy – with the U.S. Congress, Washington DC-based civil society and international development community, and other partners as appropriate – identifying and cultivating champions, promoting increased awareness of IFAD and its mandate, highlighting synergies and complementarities with the U.S. position and strategy vis-á-vis issues of mutual relevance.
• Strategically recommends interactions between IFAD Senior Management and/or Chief, ALO and key Congressional and civil society contacts, facilitates these interactions and leads as appropriate, and ensures follow-up actions are taken.
• Keeps abreast of and provides timely intelligence and analysis of relevant developments and activities within Congress, civil society and international development community contacts, the Administration, and other key partners of relevance to IFAD.
• Develops and maintains strong relations with U.S. based advocacy and civil society groups, e.g. InterAction, the One Campaign, the Alliance to End Hunger, etc.
• Identifies opportunities for dissemination of information on IFAD, its work, and the importance of progress in rural development and food security, including through events both on and off Capitol Hill, with like-minded partners and champions. Proposes and facilitates concrete options for engagement within and on the margins of high-profile events in Washington DC and beyond.
• In close consultation with the Chief, ALO and the Communications Division, develops and implements a communications strategy for outreach with U.S. Congress, the U.S. Government, engagement with the U.S. media and sustained outreach through social media to disseminate public interest stories on the impact of IFAD's work.
• Performs research in preparation for responses to Congressional and Administration queries and/or as input to drafting speeches and briefings for Senior Management.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure the success of the team, including guiding, training, and coaching short-term staff, including interns and consultants, as needed.

MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: Is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the personal use of assigned IFAD resources, including equipment, supplies and, as applicable, staff supervised.

Impact of Key results / Key performance indicators

The Partnership Officer is a seasoned professional in the field of external relations. The quality of work and external communications performed by the Officer directly impacts on the professionalism of the incumbent and the overall reputation of the GPR Division in terms of both substantive depth and adaptive relevance to emerging issues and changing client needs. S/He follows established procedures but is expected to make recommendations on strategies for engagement and communications products. The Partnership Officer is accountable for quality, substantive input and ability to project a competent and trusted image of the Fund to partners within IFAD and outside.

Representation / Work relationships

Representational functions of the Partnership Officer are focused on establishing and maintaining relationships, building stronger relationships, identifying and pursuing of opportunities for outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration, and projecting the image of a credible/reliable partner.  S/He presents policy positions, seeking to inform and build partnerships, within the limitations of guidelines set by the supervisor.

Work relationships are established and maintained with counterparts both inside as well as outside the Fund.   Exchange of information typically requires proactivity to clearly establish the policy, positions or practices of the Fund. S/He functions as a collaborative partner within the Fund to enhance partnership development and resource mobilization.

Competencies

Organizational

• Strategic thinking and organizational development: Personal influence (Level 1)
• Demonstrating Leadership: Personal leadership and attitude to change (Level 1)
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge and innovates (Level 1)
• Focusing on clients: Focuses on clients (Level 1)
• Problem solving and decision making: Demonstrates sound problem solving and decision making ability (Level 1)
• Managing time, resources and information: Manages own time, information and resources effectively (Level 1)
• Team Work: Contributes effectively to the team (Level 1)
• Communicating and negotiating: Communicates effectively: creates understanding between self and others (Level 1)
• Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains effective working relationships (Level 1)
• Managing performance and developing staff: Manages staff and teams effectively (Level 1)

Technical/Functional

• Technical expertise in external relations with ability to formulate new approaches or identify new opportunities in respect of partnership building and relationships with clients, focusing on impact and results.
• Results-oriented decision-making skills, with the ability to translate business strategies and needs into practical solutions.
• Knowledge of partnership development and resource mobilization.
• Skills in applying concepts and theories to complex issues and actively develop alternatives / proposals for service or methodological changes.
• Ability to conduct policy analysis.
• Diplomatic communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in strategy and policy formulation.

Minimum recruitment qualifications

Education:

• Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in international development, international relations, political science or related field or other job related field.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in outreach and liaison and/or any resource-mobilization related activities, preferably in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
• Experience regularly liaising with U.S. Congressional members and staff, and/or working in Congressional contexts, is critical.

Language requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Working knowledge of another official language (Arabic, French, or Spanish) is desirable.

Other information

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD, and they may be assigned by him/her to any of the activities of IFAD, including field assignments and/or rotation within IFAD.

In the interest of making most cost effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

IFAD is committed to achieving diversity and is seeking a balanced workforce from its Member States. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.