Partnerships Officer (Resource Mobilization)

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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 Regional Office for Africa (RAF) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with departments and Divisions and Offices at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.
The position is located in the Regional Office for Africa (RAF), Accra, Ghana.

Reporting Lines

The Partnerships Officer (Resource Mobilization) reports to the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative, RAF.
Technical Focus
Strengthen and foster partnerships with non-state actors (NSA) with particular focus on 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 non-state actors and Inter-governmental Organizations (IGOs).
Monitor partnerships with all partners including NSA, UN entities and IGOs at all levels and report to key internal and external stakeholders on the results.

Key Results

Comprehensive services and advice on networking and partnerships; increase and strengthen partnerships and knowledge networks within and outside the Organization, with national, regional and international development partners, NGOs, and private sector, to support country-level actions guided by FAO's Country Programme Framework (CPF) as well as increasing South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC).

Key Functions

• Oversees the implementation of the FAO Strategy for Partnerships with Civil Society Organizations and FAO' s Strategy for Private Sector Engagement at regional or national level;
• Identifies, promotes and develops strategic linkages and synergies between non-state actors and FAO's strategic objectives and regional initiatives.
• Provides guidance and support to staff in Decentralized Offices on the use of corporate requirements related to partnerships with non-state actors;
• Executes the annual work plan with the priorities and main activities of non-state actors, which will be aligned with FAO's Strategic Objectives and programmes;
• Contributes actively to FAO/Decentralized Offices global advocacy objectives and strategies on partnerships;
• Establishes and maintains partnerships in the area of food security and nutrition, advocacy, innovation and programme implementation and monitors partnerships activities at the regional and national level;
• Supports country-level actions guided by FAO's Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), sub-regional and regional priority frameworks and higher-level strategic frameworks of the Organization in order to transform FAO's knowledge products into country-level results and impacts, ensuring the participation and involvement of non-state actors;
• Generates programme/project summaries and other documentation to inform partners and create interest to FAO/Decentralized Offices' programmes/projects;
• Prepares and finalizes briefs and other documents explaining donor policies/trends and advises senior management on major donor issues with recommendations to improve FAO's partnerships at local/regional levels;
• Ensures quality, consistency and appropriateness of country-specific partnership materials, activities, processes and messages shared with partners;
• Develops, reviews, refines and fosters processes of working collaboratively with partners, including meetings, joint projects, information sharing, etc.;
• Collaborates in capacity development activities involving knowledge sharing, the organization of training workshops, seminars, and meetings as well as the development of related materials and on-line tools and information kits;
• Fosters effective advocacy strategy and activities in support of global and country level fund-raising, and promotes donor contributions through the identification and follow-up of new sources of funding.

Specific Functions

• Produces regular briefs and other documents explaining donor policies/trends and alerts senior management on major donor issues and recommendations on ways to improve FAO's Partnerships at local/regional levels;
• Facilitates regular coordination meetings between resource mobilization/partnership officers in the region and ensures effective coordination with HQ relevant division (i.e. Resource Mobilization (PSR), Project Support (PSS), Office of Communications (OCC) etc.);
• Regularly monitors existing partnership agreements at regional and national level and provide comprehensive reports to senior management;
• Recommends/explores new strategic Partnerships and RM opportunities with the aim to nurture existing Partnerships in the area of food security and nutrition, advocacy, innovation and programme implementation and monitors Partnerships activities at the regional and national level;
• Conducts analysis of existing internal policies and processes on engagement with non-state actors including private sector partners and proposes improvements;
• Reviews the quality, consistency and appropriateness of country-specific partnership materials, activities, processes and messages shared with partners;
• Provides guidance and support to staff in Decentralized Offices on the use of corporate requirements related to partnerships with non-state actors and UN entities;
• Advises on the participation and involvement of partners in the development and implementation of FAO's CPFs;
• Develops tools for capacity building among staff at the Regional Office and Decentralized Offices to strengthen FAO's capacity of partnering with various stakeholders and partners at regional and country levels.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, public relations, political science, international cooperation for development, development economics or a related field.
• Seven 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 of English (proficiency – level C) and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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 is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in partnership building, fundraising, negotiations, public relations/advocacy preferably in the areas of food, social and economic development.
• Experience in generating programme/project summaries and other documentation to inform partners and create interest to international programmes/projects.
• Extent and relevance in producing briefs and other documents explaining donor policies/trends and advises senior management on major donor issues with recommendations to improve international Partnerships at local/regional levels.
• Intermediate knowledge (level B) of French 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.
• Experience with Indigenous Peoples' food systems, Indigenous Women, Indigenous Youth, seeds, geospatial work, project implementation, programme design and policy work would be an additional asset.

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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/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• 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

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