Partnership Support Assistant

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Partnership and Liaison Office (FAO PLO) in the Republic of Korea (ROK) was officially open on 13 May 2019. The FAO PLO provides its full commitment and support for stronger country participation in FAO’s framework and programme and enhancement of partnership and cooperation at primarily national, and also regional, interregional and global levels.

The FAO PLO in the Republic of Korea communicates and cooperates with all FAO HQs divisions/offices and RAP teams, the Government agencies and all other partners in the Republic of Korea, including the UN agencies, academies, and institutions, the private sector, and others in the service of FAO’s framework. 

FAO PLO in ROK is looking for a Partnership Support Assistant to support developing and managing and implementing effective and efficient partnership with key stakeholders in order to ensure greater impact of the FAO Mission, “Achieving Food Security for All and Enhancing Access to Sustainable Food for All”. He or she will assist in developing and implementing the PLO’s partnership strategy and resource mobilization action plan that is aligned with the FAO Strategic Framework (SF) and Partnership Strategy.

The post is located in the FAO PLO in ROK.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative and Head of FAO PLO in ROK, the incumbent shall be supervised by the Partnership Specialist of FAO PLO in ROK.

Technical Focus 

The incumbent will contribute to strengthening collaboration with FAO stakeholders, including public and private sector partners in the Republic of Korea (ROK), to add the mutual value for both FAO and its Partners. The role will involve supporting the establishment and maintenance of strategic partnerships, as well as providing assistance in resource mobilization efforts to enhance the greater impact and visibility of FAO’s projects and programmes and initiatives. 

Tasks and responsibilities

Following specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 

•    Provide support for the development and implementation of the PLO’s partnership strategy with various ROK agrifood and sustainable development related partners, focusing in particular on ROK government, National Assembly, public organizations, UN and International Organizations (IO), private sector, philanthropy foundations, associations, NGO, academia, CSO and youth. 
•    Assist to deepen and expand the strategic engagement with ROK partners through the implementation of partnership engagement strategies and resource mobilization action plan, with view of being (1) known as technical solution organization, (2) recognized for the value of our services, and 3) a resource in helping our partners deliver their vision.
•    Conduct research and analyse from new and existing donor partner’s strategies, priorities and focus areas in order to effectively response to donor’s needs and identify funding opportunities and liaise and brief to relevant internal Units, technical expert colleagues to support development of respective project and programme proposals in line with FAO Strategic Framework (2022-2031).
•    Support for the practice and utilization of the FAO partnership management toolkits such as the CONNECT PORTAL and Customer Relations Management (CRM) and the PLO partnership database/portfolios to enhance strategic and data-driven partnership development and its management. 
•    Provide support for the organization and implementation of the FAO’s strategic dialogue with ROK key partners in order to ensure FAO’s systematic and timely follow-up. The activities will involve supporting meeting agenda setting, liaising with counterparts, arranging logistical arrangements and disseminating key points to relevant Units and colleagues.  
•    Support to expand PLO’s outreach by exploring new partnership opportunities with various partners,and organize and participate in key partnership building meetings and workshops and showcase FAO’s work in order to enhance the understanding of FAO with relevant partners. 
•    Support key FAO flagship events by promoting and increased public and youth engagement, ensuring the successful organization of the event. 
•    Contribute to strategies for engagement and development of FAO communications products to enhance FAO’s visibility and influence with existing and prospective partners and stakeholders by providing analysis of the current environment and trends and formulating recommendation for strategic approaches and message developments. 

FAO Standards and guidelines:

Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes. 

All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including: 
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en  
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia   
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en 
FAOSTYLE: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en 
FAO terminology: http://www.fao.org/faoterm 
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en  
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).  

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section. 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in agriculture, economy, business administration, international relations, international development policy, social sciences, humanitarian, languages, or other fields related to FAO’s mandates.
•    At least two (2) years of work experience in building and managing partnerships or programmes, engaging with stakeholders, managing partnership database, coordinating donor relations. 
•    At least two (2) years of work experience in mobilizing resources, building strategic partnership with diverse partners including governments, UN entities, private sector, CSO, NGO, and academia and other development organisations. 
•    National of the Republic of Korea.
•    Full proficiency of written and oral English and Korean is essential.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Work experience in the field of partnership development/management with public and private sector, NGO, CSO, etc
•    Familiarity with global food security, sustainable agrifood system, climate resilient, sustainable rural development  
•    Good knowledge of the Republic of Korean government’s Official Development Assistance Policy and flow 
•    Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards with well-constructed reports, knowledge products
•    Substantive experience in project management, event organization, and database management 
•    Good understanding of SDGs, food security and sustainable agrifood system transformation and other key development agendas, including climate change, green transition, gender equality, inclusive development. 
•    Work experience in advocacy, reach-out activities 

Selection Criteria

•    Strong understanding of the Republic of Korea’s ODA policy, strategies, priorities and knowledge of global food security, agrifood system, rural development, and its challenges and opportunities and key players in the community. 
•    Work experience in UN or International Organizations is desired
•    knowledge of another UN official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) is an asset.