Regional Private Sector Partnerships Consultant

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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 member nations, and person 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting

FAO has recently approved its new Strategy for Private Sector Engagement (2021-2025) which envisages private sector engagement for food systems transformation, measurable sustainable impact, ultimately contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Resource Mobilization and Private Sector Partnerships Division (PSR) oversees the implementation of the Strategy organization-wide.

In order to successfully implement the new Strategy and capitalize on the opportunities at the regional, sub regional and country level, the Organization is seeking for consultants to support the work of the Regional Partnership Officers. FAO envisages private sector engagements will bring strategic partnerships, scale up collective multi stakeholder efforts, and bring regional/ sub regional/ country-owned and led innovative solutions.

Reporting Lines:

Ivan Prusina, Senior Programme Officer, Resource Mobilization and Private Sector Partnerships Division (PSR)

Technical Focus

The consultant will support regional, sub regional and country-level private sector scoping, outreach for engagement, and FAO staff capacity development, as well as support the use of the new FAO private sector Connect portal as a key tool.

Tasks and responsibilities

The consultant will have dual reporting lines to the regional Private Sector Focal Point/Officer and to the Private Sector Team in PSR. In particular, the consultant will:

Private sector scoping and engagement

• Cultivate existing and scope potential private sector engagement according to regional priorities and specificities, including multiple sub regional and/or country level engagements (as prioritised by regional management), and scoping new and strategic engagement opportunities with a diverse of private sector entities at regional/ sub regional/ country level;
• Prioritise key private sector entities with which to engage and through appropriate channels to deliver on regional, sub regional or country specific priorities, means and mechanisms to engage, including through traditional and new areas of engagements, e.g. policy dialogue/Public-Private Partnership platforms (PPPs)s, data and knowledge sharing, experts, support for SDG financing and investment and where feasible resource mobilization;
• Identify and implement opportunities for forums and engagement with regional stakeholders, such as roundtables and regional dialogues based on priority areas identified, and assist in the conceptualization, planning, organization and of regional events and dialogues with private sector, including private sector consultations in advance of Regional Conferences

Partnership Management

• Network and establish dialogue and relationships with key stakeholders;
• Support the Regional Partnerships Officer in the development and management of private sector engagements and partnerships, and where applicable the need to pursue formal partnerships agreements, in close consultation with PSRB
• Prepare the annual private sector regional report.

Capacity development

• Support the delivery and customization of a tailored private sector engagement capacity development programme for FAO employees in the region, sub regional and at country level, based on the corporate package in development;
• Act as key transitory helpdesk for PS engagement in region, and in parallel support the identification of sustainable long-term help desk solutions for regional/ sub regional/ country level support.

Connect portal

• Promote wide use of the CONNECT Portal and gain feedback for improvement - both internally within FAO at regional/ sub regional/ country level, as well as externally with partners and prospective partners as an outreach tool of FAO’s engagements with the private sector;
• Identify/ propose an effective and efficient process for the utilization and inputting of data in the connect portal, as a CRM tool for private sector engagements, from a regional, sub regional and country perspective, and provide backstopping and quality control support as required.

• Perform other related duties, as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in international development, development economics, international law, business administration, agriculture, agricultural economics, or another field relevant to the work of the Organization.
• Five years of relevant experience in outreach, engagement, policy development and relationship management in the area of private sector partnership
• Working knowledge of English, and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• 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 academic qualifications (i.e. PhD) is a strong asset. Extent and relevance of experience in establishing and managing private sector partnerships
• Extent and relevance of experience in liaising with national governments on the promotion and inclusion of the private sector engagement in public policies
• Extent and relevance of experience with private sector partnerships related practices, rules and regulations, due diligence, legal, forecasting, and reporting
• Understanding of FAO's Strategy for Private Sector Engagement (2021-2025) is considered an asset
• Demonstrated ability to write and/or edit technical documents clearly and concisely
• Working knowledge of French would be an asset.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency