Senior Partnerships Officer (Private Sector)
Organizational Context
The Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) coordinates strategic partnerships with UN agencies and non-state actors, including the private sector, civil society, and academia. It leads the implementation of FAO's Private Sector Strategy (2026-2031) and supports collaboration with various stakeholders. The Division also manages e-learning programs and knowledge platforms. This position is based in the Private Sector Unit at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Job Purpose
This role leads the implementation of FAO's strategy for partnering with private sector stakeholders to achieve the Organization's mandate. It involves generating, maintaining, monitoring, and communicating private sector engagement in collaboration with FAO's global offices and technical divisions. The position supports the evaluation and formalization of corporate-level partnerships with private sector actors and provides capacity building to FAO colleagues worldwide on engagement methodologies. The objective is to foster significantly increased and more meaningful collaboration between FAO and the private sector, supported by robust engagement and monitoring mechanisms. Key results include leadership and conceptual development for comprehensive private sector partnerships with national, regional, and international development partners.
Responsibilities
Lead the global, regional, and national implementation of FAO's private sector strategy. Lead multidisciplinary teams and represent FAO in inter-agency meetings. Identify strategic collaborations and partnerships with non-state actors aligned with the FAO Strategic Framework. Develop and implement annual work plans for private sector engagement, monitoring collaborative activities with partners. Provide support to FAO staff at headquarters and decentralized offices on partnership approaches and managing relations with non-state actors. Advise FAO entities, governing bodies, and other relevant entities on policy discussions, including multi-stakeholder partnerships. Oversee the quality of country-specific partnership materials and processes. Plan and organize capacity development activities. Lead the development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation system for private sector partnerships. Produce annual reports on strategy implementation for Governing Bodies. Support coordination and integration of partnership functions, focusing on private sector entities, foundations, and financial institutions. Propose optimizations for partnership services and identify key performance indicators. Analyze and streamline partnering processes with non-state actors. Advise on gaps in existing private sector partnerships to support agrifood system transformation. Review and propose improvements for partnership tools and IT platforms. Monitor and report on private sector partnerships, proposing solutions for robust reporting mechanisms. Support internal communication and knowledge sharing.
Work Experience
Ten years of relevant experience in international cooperation and/or business, with a focus on sustainability practices and public sector partnerships. Experience with donor programs, government institutions, other UN agencies, private sector functions, civil society organizations, NGOs, negotiations, and/or public relations/advocacy is essential. Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential. Experience in resource mobilization is considered an asset.
Skills
Demonstrated results in partnership building and effective negotiations, particularly with multi-stakeholders. Strong public relations and advocacy skills in food security, social, and economic development. Extensive experience managing relations with non-state actors, especially the private sector. Experience in private sector partnerships and negotiation within the UN common system with diverse stakeholders in food security and/or rural development is a strong asset. Working knowledge of English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (level B) are required. Proficiency in another FAO official language is an asset.