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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 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 UN agencies and non-state actors including parliamentarians, civil society, academia and research institutions, family farmers’ and indigenous peoples’ organizations.
The Division leads FAO’s engagement in the UN Development System repositioning, develops capacities, fosters dialogues, scales up programmes and advocates for FAO’s corporate positions in support of FAO’s new Strategic Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It ensures that multi-stakeholder processes and strategic interventions globally and locally are an integral part of FAO’s work and provides targeted support for successful collaboration, in particular with UN agencies.
As an important specialized agency in the family of the UN, FAO is in the process of implementing the UN reform at headquarters, regional and country levels, including 1) active participation in the UN coordination and collaboration mechanisms at HQ levels and at regional level, 2) adherence to UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks and 3) active participation in the UN country teams in the areas of planning, programming and business operations.
The UN collaboration Unit (PSUU), was established to interface with UN Sustainable Development Group and to strengthen UN collaboration and partnerships at HQ, Regional and country levels.
FAO International Consultants and Call Purpose
The Organization frequently engages experts to work on short-term activities and projects as international consultants or under personal service agreements (PSA). PSAs are engaged by the Organization to provide expertise, skills or knowledge for the performance of a specific task or piece of work, which is short-term by nature. The assignment may involve fulltime or part-time functions. The possibility of extension is subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the resources and needs of the Organization.
The objective of this Call is to attract suitable individuals to undertake consultancies and/or PSAs in the area of collaboration and coordination with other UN entities, inter-agency initiatives and platforms in support of PSSU including:
UN Partnerships Specialist, B level
UN Partnerships Specialist, C level
UN Coordination Specialist, B level
UN Coordination Specialist, C level
Individuals meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Call will be included in the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) Roster. Experts who are registered in the Roster are available for consideration whenever relevant opportunities arise matching the required profiles.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will work under general guidance of the Head of the UN Collaboration Unit within PSU. The incumbent will be required to work with the FAO Liaison offices in New York and Geneva, FAO regional offices and representations in the relevant countries.
Technical Focus
• Strengthen and foster partnerships with UN entities in support of FAO’s new Strategic Framework 2021-2030
• Advocate for FAO’s priorities in the UN Sustainable Development Group and its subsidiary mechanisms
• Disseminate key policies, share good practices and success stories on UN collaboration and UN reform across the regions
• Track UN partnerships at all levels and report to key internal and external stakeholders on results
Tasks and responsibilities
UN Partnerships Specialist (Knowledge Management), B level
In contribution to the four objectives of the team, the Consultant/PSA B expert will:
• Organize capacity development and knowledge management events with the five regional offices on UN development system (UNDS) reform;
• Contribute, in collaboration with PSU communication focal point and OCC, to the creation and maintenance of relevant
knowledge platform(s) on FAO’s engagement with UN system, both for external stakeholders (FAO Members) and internal
audiences (decentralized offices);
• Identify, prepare and write stories, lessons learned and good practices in FAO’s collaboration with other UN agencies;
• Collect and convert data, knowledge and information into visual products (digital leaflets, digital reports, newsletters etc.) for regular and targeted knowledge dissemination;
• Prepare and write clear corporate guidelines on FAO’s implementation of the UNDS reform;
• Prepare a comprehensive survey to FAO Country offices on UN reform and RBA collaboration;
• Contribute to the preparation of reports for Governing bodies;
• Organize Information events, discussion fora and workshops.
UN Partnerships Specialist (Knowledge Management) C level
In contribution to the four objectives of the team, the Consultant/PSA C expert will:
• Support the organization of events with the five regional offices on UNDS reform;
• Contribute, in collaboration with PSU communication focal point and OCC, to the creation and maintenance of relevant knowledge platform(s) on FAO’s engagement with UN system, both for external stakeholders (FAO Members) and internal audience (decentralized offices);
• Identify, prepare and write stories, lessons learned and good practices in FAO’s collaboration with other UN agencies;
• Collect and convert data, knowledge and information into visual products (digital leaflets, digital reports, newsletters etc.) for regular and targeted knowledge dissemination;
• Provide input for the corporate guidelines on FAO’s implementation of the UNDS reform;
• Support the preparation of a comprehensive survey to FAO Country offices on UN reform and RBA collaboration;
• Contribute to the preparation of reports for Governing bodies;
• Support the organization of Information events, discussion fora and workshops.
UN Coordination Specialist, B level
In contribution to the four objectives of the team, the Consultant/PSA B expert will:
• Prepare background and positional documents for UNSDG meetings;
• Track FAO participation in the Task teams, major successes and challenges;
• Prepare speaking points for senior managers on UN reform matters;
• Develop, in collaboration with FAO’s technical teams and partnering UN entities a business portfolio of integrated policy
products, to facilitate country offices’ contribution to joint advocacy and joint programming at RC/UNCT level;
• Develop, in collaboration with FAO’s technical teams, series of policy guidance on UNDS repositioning
• Support, in collaboration with relevant technical teams, the organization of capacity development webinars on policy
integration for regional and country offices.
• Prepare positional and analytical papers for FAO senior management participation in UNSDG, ECOSOC and other related
events.
• Prepare and write clear guidelines on FAO’s implementation of the UN reform.
UN Coordination Specialist, C level
In contribution to the four objectives of the team, the Consultant/PSA C expert will:
• Prepare background documents for UNSDG meetings;
• Track FAO participation in the Task teams, major successes and challenges;
• Prepare speaking points for senior managers on UN reform matters;
• Support the development, in collaboration with FAO’s technical teams and partnering UN entities a business portfolio of
integrated policy products, to facilitate country offices’ contribution to joint advocacy and joint programming at RC/UNCT level;
• Support the development, in collaboration with FAO’s technical teams, series of policy guidance on UNDS repositioning
• Support, in collaboration with relevant technical teams, the organization of capacity development webinars on policy integration for regional and country offices.
• Support preparation of positional and analytical papers for FAO senior management participation in UNSDG, ECOSOC and other related events.
• Prepare and write clear guidelines on FAO’s implementation of the UN reform.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• For Consultants, a university degree in international relations, political and social sciences, economics, agricultural sciences or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization.
• For PSAs, a university degree in international relations, political and social sciences, economics, agricultural sciences or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization.
• Two (C level) or Five (B level) years of relevant professional experience in developing partnerships, policies and programs within the UN system. Work experience with other UN entities, particularly at the country level, is considered as a strong asset.
• Working knowledge of English and at least limited knowledge of French and/or Spanish. Limited knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, or Russian is an asset, for COF.REG.
• Working knowledge of English is sufficient for PSA.SBS.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Extent and relevance of experience in establishing partnerships, networks, and multi-stakeholder platforms, and identifying synergies and opportunities
• Familiarity with UN system-wide processes, initiatives and policies
• Extent and relevance of experience in effectively supporting decentralized offices to develop partnerships with other UN entities.
• 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