Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.
The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO's support to countries in the region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO's strategic response in the region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation, and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the FAO Strategic Framework and Programme of Work and Budget.
RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).
The post is located in the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE), with duty station Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Reporting Lines
The Partnerships Officer reports to the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative (ADG/RR) for the Near East and North Africa (RNE), under the functional guidance of the Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER) for the area of work related to partnership building and resource mobilization for FAO's emergency and resilience programme, to ensure corporate technical coherence and quality. He/she works in close collaboration with the relevant RNE and OER Officers and the members of multidisciplinary team in the Subregional Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen (SNG) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Technical Focus
Technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development, resource mobilization, partnership building and implementation of programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with FAO Strategic Priorities.
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, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the 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
• 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 the FAO Strategic Framework 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 the FAO Strategic Framework 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 partnership activities at the regional and national level.
• Supports country-level actions guided by FAO's CPFs, subregional 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 in 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, 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
• Supports coordination of FAO's business development and the mobilization of voluntary contributions and a broad range of partnerships to deliver on regional priorities and the SDGs.
• Delivers hands-on support for the development and implementation of comprehensive partnership frameworks and knowledge networks within and outside the Organization with development partners to support SNG's country-level actions guided by FAO's CPF.
• Supports SNG's strategic thinking and helps prepare related plans to further develop and facilitate implementation of the Corporate Resource Mobilization and Management Strategy (RMMS) at the Subregional Office level.
• Collaborates with and ensures support to SNG's multi-disciplinary technical team and Country Offices for business development to mobilize resources and create partnerships in line with (sub)regional priorities and SDGs, as a key mechanism/platform for coordinated outreach and support.
• Supports positioning RNE, SNG and OER in the development and humanitarian agenda of funding/investment partners from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States.
• Establishes and maintains contact with potential development and humanitarian resource partners to explore funding opportunities; leads the negotiation of funding agreements and programme/project proposals with governments, international organizations, private sector and civil society partners.
• Develops position papers, proposals and/or policy briefs to support humanitarian policy development, coordination and liaison with international partners such as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, NGOs and other humanitarian groups involved in emergency and recovery activities.
• Ensures comprehensive outreach and reporting to partners, keeping up to date with the changing development landscape and key aspects of the UN Reform.
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree 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 (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge 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.
• Extent and relevance of experience in partnership building, fundraising, negotiations, public relations/advocacy preferably in the areas of food, social and economic development.
This vacancy is archived.