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 2022-31 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 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 (NSAs) including parliamentarians, civil society, academia and research institutions, family farmers’ and Indigenous Peoples’ organizations and the private sector. 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 Strategic Framework 2022-31 and the United Nations 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 provide targeted support for successful collaboration with NSAs and UN agencies.

The UN Collaboration Unit (PSUU) provides strategic direction in fostering and deepening FAO’s engagement and collaboration with the UN system. PSUU leads the Organization’s engagement with the Rome-based Agencies RBAs and ensures the effective institutionalization and implementation of FAO’s collaborative frameworks with other UN entities. Additionally, PSUU offers policy guidance and strategic communications and monitors key developments across the UN landscape to assess opportunities to enhance collaboration.

Key functions:
•     Catalyze, strengthen and coordinate transformative UN partnerships around the issues of food security and sustainable agrifood systems, in support of the implementation of the SDGs and the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031
•     Facilitate and support FAO senior management engagement and participation in UN interagency mechanisms, and other UN system-wide processes
•     Ensure comprehensive integration and strategic positioning of FAO's mandate and priorities into high-level UN fora, in close coordination with technical divisions and decentralized offices
•     Coordinate FAO’s provision of integrated policy support to the revitalized UN Country Teams and share knowledge and good practices on UNDS repositioning, supporting its smooth implementation across FAO
•     Lead FAO’s relationship with the Rome-based Agencies (RBAs) and oversee and support the implementation of partnership frameworks with other UN entities, reporting to FAO’s Governing Bodies on results

FAO International Consultants and Call Purpose

The Organization frequently engages experts to work on short-term activities as international consultants or under personal service agreements (PSA). Consultants and 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 full-time or part-time functions. The possibility of extension is subject to satisfactory performance and depends 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 UN collaboration and multilateral partnerships:

- B Level Partnerships Specialist
- C Level Partnerships Specialist

Individuals meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Call will be included in a UN Collaboration Unit (PSUU) Roster. Specialists who are endorsed 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 Unit and/or Partnerships Officer.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be expected to contribute to at least three of the following six focus areas: 
•     FAO’s global positioning in UN inter-agency mechanisms and processes
•     RBA collaboration 
•     Reporting on results
•     Institutional engagement with UN and the wider multilateral system 
•     UN joint programming portfolio and PSUU’s country offer
•     Communications, events and knowledge management

Tasks and responsibilities

•     FAO’s global positioning in UN inter-agency mechanisms and processes
PSU Partnerships Specialist, B Level
- Analyze UN80 reform priorities, system wide strategies and emerging mandates to identify opportunities for strengthening FAO’s positioning.
- Draft technical briefs, talking points and inputs for FAO’s engagement in UNSDG, ECOSOC and other UN coordination mechanisms.
- Coordinate internal consultations across relevant FAO units to ensure coherent and timely contributions to inter agency processes.

PSU Partnerships Specialist, C Level
- Assist in compiling and synthesizing information from UNSDG, ECOSOC and other UN coordination mechanisms to inform FAO’s contributions.
- Support preparation of briefs, talking points and background notes.
- Facilitate internal consultations by collecting unit inputs.

•     RBA collaboration
PSU Partnerships Specialist, B Level
- Analyze joint initiatives, frameworks and governance processes across the RBAs.
- Draft contributions to joint RBA statements and progress reports.
- Coordinate follow up actions with RBA counterparts.
 

PSU Partnerships Specialist, C Level
- Assist in gathering documentation and updates on RBA joint initiatives.
- Support the preparation of RBA meeting materials.
- Compile follow up actions for RBA workstreams.

•     Reporting on results
PSU Partnerships Specialist, B Level
- Analyze programme data and performance indicators.
- Draft contributions to FAO’s UN collaboration and QCPR reporting.
- Coordinate with divisions and offices for reporting inputs.
 

PSU Partnerships Specialist, C Level
- Assist in collecting qualitative and quantitative data for reporting.
- Support consolidation of draft reporting sections.
- Contribute to monitoring reporting cycles.

•     Institutional engagement with UN and the wider multilateral system
PSU Partnerships Specialist, B Level
- Draft technical notes and background materials.
- Provide technical inputs to strengthen FAO’s participation.
- Coordinate liaison activities across FAO divisions.
 

PSU Partnerships Specialist, C Level
- Assist in reviewing UN partners’ strategic documents.
- Support institutional engagements with meeting packages.
- Contribute to liaison processes and update coordination tools.

·    UN joint programming portfolio and PSUU’s country offer
PSU Partnerships Specialist, B Level
- Analyze UN joint programming opportunities.
- Provide technical support to decentralized offices.
- Coordinate with UN agencies, FAO units and governments.
 

PSU Partnerships Specialist, C Level
- Assist in compiling information on UN joint programming.
- Support development of joint programme materials.
- Contribute to portfolio monitoring.

·    Communications, events and knowledge management
PSU Partnerships Specialist, B Level
- Analyze communication needs and propose engagement opportunities.
- Draft communication products and knowledge pieces.
- Coordinate organization of events and knowledge exchanges.
 

PSU Partnerships Specialist, C Level
- Assist in preparing communication and knowledge materials.
- Support organization of events and workshops.
- Support knowledge management and update repositories.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

·    Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in international relations, development studies, social sciences, public administration, business management, law, communications, or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience. 
·    One (C level) or Five (B level) years of relevant professional experience in partnership development, programme monitoring and reporting, policy research, inter-agency coordination, multilateral or bilateral diplomacy, liaison functions, digital communications, event management, knowledge management, data analysis and visualization, or related field is required. 
·    Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) desirable.

FAO Core Competencies

·    Results Focus
·    Teamwork
·    Communication
·    Building Effective Relationships
·    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

·    Prior work experience with FAO and/or the UN systems. 
·    Extent and relevance of experience in partnership development, programme monitoring and reporting, policy research, inter-agency coordination, multilateral or bilateral diplomacy, liaison functions, digital communications, event management, knowledge management, data analysis and visualization, etc. 
·    Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.