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The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.ย
The External Relations and Governance Department (ERG), comprising the Communications Division (COM), ย the Global Engagement Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division (GPR) and the Office of the Secretary (SEC), leads IFADโs public and political advocacy, including engagement with Member States and other stakeholders through global policy engagement and other global processes.ย
The Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization (GPR) Division has a specific focus on global engagement, partnerships (including with the private sector, foundations, bilateral and multilateral organizations), and on driving the resource mobilization efforts with traditional and non-traditional donors and partners.
Within this framework, the GPR Division addresses three main functions: (i) Global engagement and multilateral relations; (ii) South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC); and (iii) replenishment, resource mobilization and advocacy. The mission of the Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division (GPR) is to enhance IFAD's contribution to inclusive and sustainable rural transformation and Agenda 2030 through strengthening global engagement, partnerships, and resource mobilization.
The Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization (GPR) has decentralized Liaison Offices:
(a) The Americas Liaison Office (ALO) with two offices based in Washington and New York, United States of America
(b) The Saudi Arabia Liaison Office (SLO) with one office based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(c) The Japan Liaison Office (JLO) with one office based in Yokohama, Japan
The Partnership Officer works under the direct supervision of the Head of the ALO NY Office.
Job Role ย
The purpose of the Partnership Officer position is to deepen corporate level collaboration with key stakeholders and provide an interface for environmental scanning, knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, and policy influence within the scope of assignment. S/He may also serve as focal point and resource for GPR colleagues on specific thematic areas of strategic relevance for partnership development. The Partnership Officer works within cross-functional key partner management teams to leverage relationship management skills, assets and, most importantly, professional social networks. Partnership Officers are experts in their focus areas. They provide technical expertise and develop new approaches which materially expand the range of services or programmes delivered to closely support internal and external stakeholders. Partnership Officers work collaboratively with the other colleagues across the GPR Division to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support within their assigned portfolios. The key result is to ensure greater visibility and influence for IFAD in support of its mission.
Key Functions and Results ย
1. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING: The Partnership Officer seeks and promotes new partnerships and resource mobilization opportunities, working with IFAD colleagues to identify needs and broker resource mobilization agreements to meet those needs. S/he receives and screens inquiries from potential collaborators and facilitates communication with appropriate IFAD staff and advocates divisional priorities. S/he scans and scouts external environment within designated focus areas for opportunities and risks and shares information in a timely fashion with relevant IFAD staff. In addition, s/he provides strategic, logistical and programmatic support to senior management and other IFAD staff in corporate engagement and interaction with assigned partners.
2. DEVELOPING AND SUPPORTING PARTNERSHIP STRATEGIES: The Partnership Officer collaborates with internal stakeholders to strengthen IFADs approach to partnerships. S/he develops annual partnership engagement and resource mobilization plans and supports the implementation of partnership strategies within assigned portfolios. In addition, s/he builds IFAD's institutional capacity and knowledge for its partnership performance and ensures the development of efficient approaches for partnership knowledge management.
3. GLOBAL POLICY ENGAGEMENT, SSTC, AND REPLENISHMENT, AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND ADVOCACY: The Partnership Officer is responsible for providing technical expertise to the development and implementation of corporate strategies for the engagement in global policy debates. S/he supports and contributes to IFAD's engagement in SSTC and other policy dialogues, including replenishment, resource mobilization and advocacy.
4. FOCAL POINT FOR OUTREACH, ENGAGEMENT, POLICY INFLUENCE AND COLLABORATION: The Partnership Officer acts as focal point for identification and pursuit of opportunities for outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration, including on how to anticipate and respond to partners' concerns and priorities, ensuring that IFAD's interests, perspectives, and knowledge are taken into account in relevant policy and institutional processes, and ensuring that they are fully aware of IFAD's perspectives, policies, priorities and capabilities. S/he contributes to the development and management of initiatives for high-level outreach, including for IFAD Senior Management.
5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Partnership Officer is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the personal use of assigned IFAD resources, including equipment, supplies and, as applicable, staff supervised.
Position specifics:
The incumbent is assigned to support IFADโs partnership and engagement with the UN System.
The Partnership Officer:
โขย ย ย Leads the work on the issue areas and policy platforms assigned, working in close collaboration with other relevant units within IFAD.
โขย ย ย Promotes partnership and resource mobilization opportunities (both globally and at the country level with State and non-State actors โ including from the private sectors and Foundations) by supporting the related outreach, policy engagement, influence and collaboration activities; aiming at reaching Replenishmentsโ targets for Core resourcesย
โขย ย ย Supports the mobilization of supplementary funds (i.e. IPAF, GTM, ASAP+ and the PSFP) in support of IFADโs corporate priorities and the finalization of relevant agreements with Donors.
โขย ย ย Provides logistical and programmatic support to management for the engagement and interaction with partners.
โขย ย ย Supports the preparation of IFADโs Senior Management and other IFAD staff in-person/virtual visits to UNHQ/New York.
โขย ย ย Nurtures and maintains networks of partners (peoples and institutions) who are willing and able to advocate for small scale farming and inclusive rural transformation, with specific effort on establishing networks in strategic countries of responsibility, such as UN System entities and other advocacy partners.
โขย ย ย Supports the internal coordination of ย IFADโs engagement in global processes, as well as facilitating related engagement with relevant IFADโs counterparts, particularly around UN-centred processes such as the UN General Assembly, the High-level Political Forum, the Commission on the Status of Women, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Our Common Agenda and the Summit of the Future, among others.
โขย ย ย Supports the Programme Management Department (PMD) Regional Divisions and Sub-regional hubs and country directors facilitating consultations and tracking progress, including through participation in field missionsย
โขย ย ย Contributes to reports, blogs, social media and other communication materials related to donors, and provide feedback on donor messaging, needs and perspectives.
Key Performance Indicators ย
The Partnership Officer is a seasoned professional in the field of external relations. The quality of work and external communications performed by the Officer directly impacts on the professionalism of the incumbent and the overall reputation of the GPR Division in terms of both substantive depth and adaptive relevance to emerging issues and changing client needs. S/He follows established procedures but is expected to make recommendations on strategies for engagement and communications products. The Partnership Officer is accountable for quality, substantive input and ability to project a competent and trusted image of the Fund to partners within IFAD and outside.
Position specific:ย
-ย ย ย Work may involve travels in IFAD Member Countries
-ย ย ย Assignment involves the management of complex processes involving multiple stakeholders, as well as strategic and analytical work.
Working Relationships ย
Representational functions of the Partnership Officer are focused on establishing and maintaining relationships, building stronger relationships, identifying and pursuing of opportunities for outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration, and projecting the image of a credible/reliable partner. S/He resents policy positions, seeking to inform and build partnerships, within the limitations of guidelines set by the supervisor. Work relationships are established and maintained with counterparts both inside as well as outside the Fund. Exchange of information typically requires proactivity to clearly establish the policy, positions or practices of the Fund. S/He functions as a collaborative partner within the Fund to enhance partnership development and resource mobilization.
Position specific:ย
Broad collaboration with colleagues within IFAD; government authorities; Member Statesโ Permanent Missions at the UN, project staff; implementing partners; development partners and other stakeholders โ particularly colleagues within, and engaged around, the UN System and New York City more broadly.ย
Job Profile Requirements ย
Organizational Competencies:
Level 1:
Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains effective working relationships Communicating and negotiating - Communicates effectively; creates understanding between self and others Demonstrating leadership - Personal leadership and attitude to change Focusing on clients - Focuses on clients Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge & innovates Managing performance and developing staff - Managing time, resources and information - Manages own time, information and resources effectively Problem-solving and decision-making - Demonstrates sound problem-solving and decision-making ability Strategic thinking and organizational development - Personal influence Team working - Contributes effectively to the teamEducation:
Level โ Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in a technically relevant area. In lieu of an advanced university degree, a first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) plus at least four (4) additional years of relevant professional experience over and above the minimum number of years of experience requirement may be considered Areas - international development, international relations, political science or related field or other job-related field Degree must be from an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php .Experience:
At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in outreach and liaison and/or any resource mobilization related activities; Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope Position-specific experience: ย Experience working with/in the UN System is strongly desirable.Languages:
Required English (4 โ Excellent)ย Desirable: French, Spanish and/or Arabic (3 โ Good)ยSkills:
Advocacy: Know-how in advocacy, to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFADยฟs vision to external actors IFAD partners: Knowledge of IFAD's partners' functioning and mandate , such as the public sector (e.g. governments and policy, institutions and system), non-state actors (NGOs, CSOs, Foundations, etc.) and private sector actors Partnership building: Ability to formulate new approaches or identify new opportunities to build relationships with both traditional and non-traditional partners, focusing on impact and results. Resource mobilization: Know-how in resource mobilization strategies (including marketing and communication) for IFI, international public bodies and within the UN Stakeholder management: Strong alignment capabilities and consultation skills, building on effective interactions and relationships with different stakeholders (e.g. for the co-creation of communication material with member states) and ability to build and maintain a strong network (e.g. with journalists, media outlets, etc.) Leadership: Group thought leader, sought out by others and providing mentorship and effective guidance to others; Ability to build trust, inside and outside the organization by acting as a role model for IFAD's core values and competencies, and to provide a clear sense of direction, mentorship and effective guidance to the team, strategizing the IFAD's goals, giving the vision, empowering the team and ensuring a positive environment for all. Listening: Effective and active listening to others; understanding and acting upon indirect statements Political acumen: Ability to conduct sound political analysis and understand complex environments, providing options and advice Problem solving: Strong systemic and structured thinking, ability to identify and dissect problems into components and formulate a comprehensive set of creative viable and sustainable solutions and strategies Verbal communication: Clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language Written communication: Clear, succinct and convincing written communication in the language needed for specific role; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language (e.g. for drafting of position papers, briefings, etc.)Other Information ย
This position is included in IFAD internal reassignment exercise and advertised externally in parallel. Should a suitable staff member be identified during the reassignment exercise and the reassignment decision accepted, the recruitment process will be cancelled. In case no suitable candidate is identified through reassignment, the recruitment process will continue.
IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.
IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation.
Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org.