National Public Private Partnerships Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports Member States in mobilizing responsible, results-oriented private-sector engagement and public–private partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate agrifood systems transformation, in line with the FAO Strategic Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). FAO promotes PPPs not only as dialogue platforms, but as practical delivery mechanisms that mobilize financial and in-kind resources, deploy private-sector capabilities, and result in concrete joint implementation on the ground, particularly in resource-constrained contexts such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Under the TCP project Innovative Pathways for Agrifood Systems: A SIDS Perspective (TCP/MAR/4001), FAO supports the establishment of an Agrifood Public–Private (AgriPP) Coalition in Mauritius. The Coalition is expected to go beyond consultation and generate implementable collaborations, aligned with national priorities, the African SIDS Programme, the Indian Ocean Commission’s PRESAN framework, and the FAO Hand-in-Hand (HiH) Initiative

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of the FAO Deputy Representative in Madagascar, the incumbent will perform under strategic leadership and technical guidance of the TCP/MAR/4001 Lead Technical Officer (LTO), thematic specialists, as well as with the Project Coordinator of the FAO Mauritius national team.

Technical focus

In close coordination with national counterparts, the National PPP Specialist will carry out the following tasks:
•     Strategic PPP mapping and stakeholder intelligence
•     Design of Agri Food Public-Private Coalition
•     Development of an Agrifood Investment Tracker
•     Pipeline development and pitching
•     Formalization and early implementation readiness

The objective of the assignment is to ensure the operationalization of concrete, mutually beneficial public–private collaborations in the agrifood sector. Specifically, the National PPP Specialist will:
•     Design and operationalize the Agrifood Public–Private (AgriPP) Coalition;
•     Establish practical partnership instruments that clarify public- and private-sector commitments;
•     Support resource mobilization from the private sector (financial and non-financial);
•     Ensure that at least a first set of PPP collaborations reach a stage of formal agreement and readiness for implementation

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Conduct stakeholder mapping of public institutions, private companies, financial institutions, producer organizations and other key actors in the agrifood sector, and develop a comprehensive PPP stakeholder database. 
•     Identify and assess high-potential private-sector partners by analysing their investment interests, partnership preferences and capacity to engage in agrifood Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). 
•     Design and develop the Agrifood Public-Private Coalition documentation package, including the Expression of Intent, Terms of Reference, work plan, communication materials and PPP engagement templates. 
•     Facilitate stakeholder consultations and coordination meetings to establish the Agrifood Public-Private Coalition and validate its governance framework and operational arrangements. 
•     Develop and maintain an interactive Agrifood Investment Tracker capturing ongoing public and private investments, PPP initiatives, implementation status and participating partners. 
•     Prepare periodic investment analyses and reports using data from the Investment Tracker to support project monitoring, Coalition communications and FAO reporting requirements. 
•     Identify, develop and structure at least three bankable PPP concepts aligned with national agrifood priorities and PRESAN regional trade objectives. 
•     Prepare investment pitch decks and facilitate engagement sessions between public institutions and prospective private-sector partners to promote priority PPP opportunities. 
•     Provide technical support during negotiations and formalization of PPP agreements, including the preparation and review of Letters of Intent, Memoranda of Understanding and other partnership instruments. 
•     Support the development of implementation action plans and monitor the readiness of formalized PPP partnerships, ensuring clearly defined roles, resource commitments, timelines and follow-up actions.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements 

•     University degree in Economics, Business Administration, Agribusiness, Public Administration, Development Studies, Agricultural Economics, Finance, Law, or a related field. 
•     At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in public-private partnerships (PPPs), private sector engagement, investment promotion, agribusiness development, or related fields. 
•     Working knowledge (Level C) of English and French. 
•     National of Mauritius

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. 
•     Knowledge of results-based management (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation systems. 
•     Experience in organizing workshops, training sessions, and stakeholder consultations. 
•     Ability to prepare technical and progress reports. 
•     Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
•     Strong organizational and coordination skills. 
•     Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
•     Excellent analytical and report-writing skills. 
•     Ability to engage effectively with government agencies, farmers' organizations, private sector actors, and development partners. 
•     Familiarity with agricultural policies and programmes in Mauritius and the Southern African region. 
•     Experience working with FAO or other UN agencies would be an advantage.

Selection criteria

•     Demonstrated experience in negotiating or operationalizing PPPs or private-sector agreements.
•     Strong analytical, facilitation and results-oriented negotiation skills.
•     Demonstrated experience in stakeholder mapping, partnership development, and facilitation of multi-stakeholder dialogue involving public and private sector actors. 
•     Proven experience in preparing investment proposals, concept notes, business cases, or PPP-related documentation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION