Partnership Officer (Private Sector)

1A101A10

• 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.

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 Resource Mobilization and Private Sector Partnerships Division (PSR) leads and coordinates the mobilization of voluntary contributions (currently 70 percent of FAO's budget) in support of the Organization's strategic priorities. PSR manages FAO's relations with resource partners, strategically matching partners' interests to those of the Organization, and supports the negotiation of approximately 800 trust fund agreements per year. It mounts marketing analysis and campaigns around global development opportunities, provides market and business intelligence and positioning services to management as well as resource mobilization capacity development to decentralized and headquarters offices. PSR also oversees and coordinates results reporting to ensure accountability to resource partners.

Within PSR, the Private Sector Unit is responsible for managing the Organization's private sector engagement portfolio. FAO has recently developed a new Strategy for Private Sector Engagement (2021-2025) with the overall goal of enhancing engagement with the private sector in FAO's work, including at the decentralized level, as 'One FAO' to work towards more long-term sustainable solutions. The Private Sector Unit is responsible for the operationalization of the Strategy and in the provision of tools, guidance and support to decentralized and headquarter offices in this regard. The Unit is also responsible for developing and managing FAO engagements and partnerships with the private sector.

The position is located in the Private Sector Unit in PSR at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Partnerships Officer reports to the Senior Programme Officer (Business Development and Resource Mobilization) - Head of Private Sector Partnerships, PSR.

Technical Focus
Contribute to the development and strengthening of partnerships with all the different actors in the private sector to accomplish FAO's mandate.

Key Results
Comprehensive services on networking and partnerships; increase and strengthen partnerships and knowledge networks within and outside the Organization, with national, regional and international development partners, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and private sector to support country-level actions guided by FAO's Country Programming Framework (CPF) as well as increasing South-South and triangular cooperation.

Key Functions
• Assists with the implementation of the FAO Strategy for Private Sector Engagement 2021-2025 at the global, regional or national level.
• Supports the identification, promotion and development of strategic linkages and synergies between private sector actors and the FAO Strategic Framework and regional initiatives.
• Contributes to the identification and analysis of potential new private sector engagement opportunities; monitors the contribution of private sector engagement portfolio to the Strategy for Private Sector Engagement, the FAO Strategic Framework and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Supports FAO programmes/projects to the private sector to create opportunities for transformational engagements, existing and potential private sector partners to create interest in FAO/Decentralized Office's programmes/projects.
• Contributes to preparing briefs and other documents explaining private sector entity policies/trends and alerts senior management on major issues with proposals to improve FAO's engagements at local/regional levels.
• Analyses the quality, consistency and appropriateness of country-specific partnership materials, activities, processes and messages shared with partners.
• Contributes to the analysis of existing processes of working collaboratively with partners, including meetings, joint projects, information sharing, etc. and proposes improvements.
• Assists with the effective advocacy strategy and activities in support of global and country level fundraising, and to the promotion of donor contributions.
• Supports the establishment and maintenance of partnerships and engagements with the private sector in the area of advocacy, innovation and programme implementation.
• Contributes to the analyses of existing processes of working collaboratively with partners, including meetings, joint projects, information sharing, etc. and proposes improvements.
• Prepares briefs, presentations and other documents explaining private sector trends and opportunities for engagement in response to FAO priorities and needs.
• Contributes to the development of information and training materials and supports presentation of information/training sessions to management and FAO personnel.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Specific Functions
Partnership management
• Supports backstopping to technical units and Decentralized Offices in development of new engagements and partnerships with private sector in contribution to FAO's mandate and priorities.
• Monitors progress and reports on ongoing engagements and partnerships with private sector entities.
• Contributes to the preparation of intelligence briefs, presentations and strategic background information as well as to reports on private sector engagements for Senior Management at headquarters, Decentralized Offices and FAO Members.
• Contributes to the development of stories, lessons, documents and presentations of FAO's approach to engaging with the private sector as requested.
• Identifies and maps new strategic and high potential opportunities and entry points with philanthropic foundations.
• Updates FAO internal knowledge and obtain and address due diligence results on high and medium potential philanthropic foundations.
• Supports and maintains relations with high and medium potential philanthropic foundations.

Coordination and Outreach
• Prepares briefing notes, presentations, reports, speeches and events.
• Supports the coordination of private sector engagement bi-weekly meetings with regional offices.
• Supports the Secretariat of the Private Sector Working Group (PS-IDWG).
• Identifies and implements opportunities engagement with the private sector, and contributes to the organization of events including roundtables, workshops and regional dialogues.
• Contributes to the development of outreach materials targeting private sector and philanthropic foundations as well, for resource mobilization.

Management of Business Mentorship Accelerator for Women Entrepreneurs in Africa
• Supports the coordination and oversight of the Business Mentorship Accelerator Programme for Women Entrepreneurs in Africa.
• Launches, implements and evaluates the Programme.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in international relations, public relations, political science, international cooperation for development, development economics or a related field.
• Three years of relevant experience in international cooperation for development, donor aid programmes, government, fundraising, negotiations and/or public relations/advocacy or related areas.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of French.

Competencies
• Results Focus
• Team Work
• 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.
• Work experience with the Private Sector in Africa.
• Extent and relevance of experience in establishing and supporting public/private partnerships and networks in the areas of FAO's mission and mandate.
• Ability to write and/or edit technical documents clearly and concisely in English and in French is an asset.
• Knowledge of the global aid architecture and experience in related data and policy analysis.
• Extent and relevance of experience in private sector fundraising and donors' relations.
• Knowledge of FAO's private sector engagement/ partnership tools, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM is considered an asset).