Senior Partnership Officer, Private Sector Financing Programme (PSFP)

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.

The External Relations and Governance Department (ERG), comprising the Communications Division (COM),  the Global Engagement Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division (GPR) and the Office of the Secretary (SEC), leads IFAD’s public and political advocacy, including engagement with Member States and other stakeholders through global policy engagement and other global processes. 

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 mission of the Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division (GPR) is to enhance IFAD's contribution to inclusive and sustainable rural transformation and Agenda 2030 through strengthening global engagement, partnerships, and resource mobilization.

The Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization (GPR) has decentralized Liaison Offices:
(a) The Americas Liaison Office (ALO) with two offices based in Washington and New York, United States of America
(b) The Saudi Arabia Liaison Office (SLO) with one office based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(c) The Japan Liaison Office (JLO) with one office based in Yokohama, Japan

The Senior Partnership Officer works under the direct supervision of the Chief Partnership Officer.

Senior Partnership Officers are experts and knowledge builders in their focus areas. They provide technical expertise and substantive contributions reflecting new approaches which materially expand the range of services or programmes delivered to closely support internal and external stakeholders, including Partnership Officers. Senior Partnership Officers work collaboratively with other colleagues across GPR to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support.

The main objective of the Senior Partnership Officer, PSFP position is to establish and nurture corporate-level collaboration with key stakeholders. S/he may also serve as focal point and resource person for GPR colleagues on specific thematic areas of strategic relevance for partnership and global policy development.

The Senior Partnership Officer,PSFP is assigned to a focus-area portfolio, such as SSTC, civil society, and/or relations with high-level committees/organizational relations (e.g. CFS, G20 and RBA), with the objective of engaging IFAD in global policy processes to create an enabling environment for investments in inclusive and sustainable rural transformation. S/he works across GPR organizational units with cross-functional key partner management teams to leverage relationship-management skills, assets and, most importantly, professional social networks. The key result is to ensure greater visibility and influence for IFAD in support of its mission.

1. PROMOTING, ADVOCATING AND COMMUNICATING DIVISIONAL PRIORITIES: The Senior Partnership Officer manages and communicates knowledge for increased support of traditional and non-traditional donors, taking into account IFAD’s Strategic Framework and Programme of Work, setting clear quantitative targets to evaluate for results-focused partnerships capable of supporting IFAD’s mandate and resource mobilization objectives. S/he acts with credible technical authority by facilitating and participating in consultations and coordination meetings and ad hoc visits with external stakeholders at all levels, as required.

2. IMPLEMENTING PARTNERSHIP STRATEGIES: The Senior Partnership Officer collaborates with internal stakeholders to strengthen IFAD’s approach to partnerships. In particular, s/he assists the Programme Management Department (PMD), Country Directors (CDs) and Heads of Multi-Country Offices (MCOs) in mainstreaming partnerships with traditional and non-traditional donors by providing them with substantial technical advice and recommendations. The Senior Partnership Officer tracks progress under engagement strategies, builds institutional capacity and knowledge for its partnership performance, and ensures the development of efficient approaches for implementing partnership strategies. S/he negotiates new Partnership and Grant Agreements.

3. MANAGING TECHNICAL EXPERTISE OF GLOBAL POLICY ENGAGEMENT, SSTC, REPLENISHMENT, RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND ADVOCACY: The Senior Partnership Officer is responsible for contributing and providing senior expertise to the development and implementation of corporate strategies for engagement in global policy debates. S/he is responsible for IFAD’s engagement in SSTC and other policy dialogue relative to IFAD’s mandate, and produces an annual assessment of achievements in the fora for which s/he has responsibility, including replenishment, resource mobilization and advocacy.

4. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Senior Partnership Officer is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes: (a) People Management through support to the recruitment of staff within the team, capacity building, coaching and mentoring of new and/or more junior staff, as well as supervision and evaluation of performance of consultants and staff under her/his purview; and (b) Resource Management, by providing strategic and technical advice for Knowledge and Content Management.

Position specifics:
-    The Senior Partnership Officer is part of GPR’s Resource Mobilisation team and is responsible for overall planning, implementation and coordination of the fundraising strategy for IFAD’s private sector financing program (PSFP). 
-    The Senior Partnership Officer is responsible for designing and structuring, in collaboration with PAI (Private Sector Advisory and Implementation Unit) and other units/divisions, overall funding proposals for PSFP, as well as co-financing for single transactions included in it. 
-    The Senior Partnership Officer is responsible for contributing and providing senior expertise to global policy and partner dialogues on issues related to private sector financing and blended finance, particularly in context of rural and agricultural development.

The Senior Partnership Officer has credible authoritative capacity with independent technical responsibility for the technical areas which s/he is leading. S/he works with minimal supervision and is expected to pursue new areas of activities going beyond established procedures or models. The Senior Partnership Officer also monitors and guides the work of other Partnership Officers, external consultants and assistants within the team, and participates as technical expert in group meetings and consultations with external stakeholders and collaborators at all levels. The Senior Partnership Officer exercises independence and initiative within her/his portfolio. Decisions are made on the research or analytical strategies to be followed in resolving problems of concern in the technical areas.

Position specifics:

The Senior Partnership Officer is expected to independently, and with minimal supervision, build and implement a successful fundraising strategy for PSFP, in the context of corporate targets set for the program. The Senior Partnership Officer is also expected to support and guide Partnership Officers involved in the implementation PSFP fundraising strategy.
 

The Senior Partnership Officer, as authority in the subject field, typically provides technical and managerial leadership to the substantive development and execution of the assigned technical area, including providing: (i) managerial direction to Partnership Officers and assistants within the team; and (ii) effective representation with external stakeholders and collaborators. Internally, the Senior Partnership Officer collaborates with internal stakeholders to strengthen IFAD’s approach to partnerships, global policy engagement, SSTC, replenishment, resource mobilization and advocacy.

The Senior Partnership Officer,PSFP engages with the global community, the private sector and development finance institutions, and contributes to shaping pro-poor global and regional policies, broadening IFAD visibility and helping position the Fund within the global agricultural and rural architecture.

Position specifics:

The Senior Partnership Officer is expected to build strong internal and external collaborative partnerships related to PSFP. Key internal partners are for example PMI)Sustainable Production Markets and Institutions divisions) /PAI, PMD and PO’s in GPR. Externally, key partner groups are member states, donors, DFI’s (Development Finance Institutions)’, MDB’s (Multilateral Development Bank), Climate Finance institutions, Foundations and impact investors. 
 

Organizational Competencies:

Level 2:

• Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally
• Communicating and negotiating - Acquires & uses a wide range of communication styles & skills
• Demonstrating leadership - Leads by example; initiates and supports change
• Focusing on clients - Contributes to a client-focused culture
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Challenges, innovates & contributes to learning culture
• Managing performance and developing staff - Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organization
• Managing time, resources and information - Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources
• Problem-solving and decision-making - Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact
• Strategic thinking and organizational development - Staff in management and/or strategic leadership roles
• Team working - Fosters a cohesive team environment

Education:

• Level - Advanced university degree 

• Areas - international development, international relations, political science or other job-related field.

• Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php .
   

Experience:

• At least eight (8) years of progressively relevant experience is required. 
• Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.

• Position-specific experience: Experience in providing strategic policy advisory services and relationships building with progressively responsible supervisory experience is highly desirable. Successful track record in establishing, building and managing partnerships with various stakeholders. Knowledge of development finance systems is desirable. Knowledge and experience of both mobilizing funds for and implementing private sector financing programs, particularly related to rural and agricultural development, particularly by DFI’s or MDB’s (Multilateral Development Banks).

Languages:

• English (4 - Excellent)
• Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic 

Skills:

• Evidence-based policy: Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation)
• Advocacy: Ability to leverage IFAD knowledge and/or communication materials to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD`s vision and strategic priorities to external actors
• IFAD partners: Knowledge of IFAD's partners' functioning and mandate , such as the public sector (e.g. governments and policy, institutions and system), non-state actors (NGOs, CSOs, Foundations, etc.) and private sector actors
• Marketing: Know-how in marketing and communication resource mobilization strategies for IFIs and international public bodies
• Resource mobilization: Know-how in resource mobilization strategies (including marketing and communication) for IFI, international public bodies and within the UN
• UN and IFI documentation & processes: Knowledge of the relevant policies, rules, regulations and guidelines on document processing and distribution within the UN and other IFIs
• Risk management (e.g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD's activities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties; ability to handle risks via contingency and mitigation strategies
• Stakeholder management: Strong alignment capabilities and consultation skills, building on effective interactions and relationships with different stakeholders (e.g. for the co-creation of communication material with member states) and ability to build and maintain a strong network (e.g. with journalists, media outlets, etc.)
• Policy dialogue: Know-how in the representation of IFAD as a trusted and strategic partner, advocating and promoting IFAD's mandate and vision; effective consultations with IFAD counterparts - like ministries and governmental bodies at all administrative levels, donors, civil society
• Change management: Role modelling, anticipation of key risks & conflicts and formulation of contingency plans/solutions, action-oriented
• Client orientation: Strong critical thinking combined with communication skills to liaise between the business and technologies to understand business problems and needs, document requirements and identify solutions
• Interpersonal skills: Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with others (e.g. visitors, clients, callers, etc.), including senior individuals (e.g. high-level meeting participants)
• Problem solving: Strong systemic and structured thinking, ability to identify and dissect problems into components and formulate a comprehensive set of creative viable and sustainable solutions and strategies
• Specialized communication skills: Ability to negotiate on behalf of IFAD and drive for creative and pragmatic solutions in complex negotiations with key partners, both public and private sector
• Strategic mindset: Proactive, ongoing identification of strategic opportunities, potential synergies and partnerships
• Verbal communication: Clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language
• Written communication: Clear, succinct and convincing written communication in the language needed for specific role; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language (e.g. for drafting of position papers, briefings, etc.)
• Private Sector Investment: Expertise in assessing private sector investment proposals, review of transactions and complex facilities and interventions using regular and blended finance, conducting due diligence, and recommending financial/investment decisions accordingly; Proven expertise in deploying financial instruments

IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.