Resource Mobilisation Expert

Organizational Setting

The FAO Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) is supporting fifteen countries to transform agrifood systems for enhanced food security and increased income generation, especially among the smallholder farmers. To better deliver such support, SFS has developed three Flagship Programmes, which cut across various FAO's thematic areas, and align with and contribute to the priorities in FAO's new Strategic Framework. They include (i) Catalyzing Sustainable Investments and Trade in Food Systems, (ii) Mechanization and Climate Smart Agriculture, and (iii) One Health Programme in Southern Africa. Together, they contribute to the region's food Security and nutritional as well as preventing the next pandemic through enhancement of a sustainable, resilient and inclusive food system and enhanced early warning and rapid response in face of health threats in Southern Africa. They are aligned with CAADP as a flagship Continental initiative and sub-regional plans, policies, and programmes such as the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) and Regional Agricultural Policy (RAP).

The Flagship Programme on “Catalyzing Sustainable Investments and Trade in Food Systems programme”, which is coordinated by the SFS Coordination Unit for Agribusiness and Investment, aims to increase agriculture's contribution to inclusive economic growth and reduce rural poverty in the SADC region. The Flagship Programme on Mechanization and Climate Smart Agriculture aims to enhance the access and use of mechanization and climate smart agriculture technologies to enhance agricultural transformation in Southern Africa. The One Health in Southern Africa responds to the international call and FAO’s commitment to One Health and integrates in the One Health Joint Plan of Action (2022–2026) (OH JPA) of the Quadripartite Alliance. It also contributes to the strategic plans of the individual Quadripartite organizations.

Reporting Lines

The Resource Mobilization Expert for SFS Flagship Programmes will work under the overall supervision of the Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, under the direct supervision of the Multi-Disciplinary Team members coordinating the three TCUs namely Livestock Development Officer, Sub Regional Agri- Food Systems Investment Policy Support Specialist, and Plant Production and Protection Officer, and the SFS Programme Officer Partnership.

Technical Focus

The assignment  aims to (i) Prepare and disseminate information about the three SFS Flagship programmes (ii) Prepare donor engagement strategies and engage with both multilateral i.e. IFAD, World Bank and AfDB, three bilateral organizations GIZ, USAID and EU to support the implementation of the developed projects under the Flagship Programme.
The assignment will also support the Hand-in-Hand Initiative in Southern Africa by conducting a comprehensive stakeholder mapping exercise that identifies and profiles key actors and potential partners across the agrifood systems landscape. Using and adapting the methodology developed for the African SIDS, the work will generate a structured database and interactive visual map to enhance partnership intelligence, investment targeting, and resource mobilization. The results will serve both the Hand-in-Hand investment facilitation framework and the SFS Flagship Programmes’ partnership development and resource mobilisation under TCP/SFS/4007/C6 and TCP/SFS/4008/C7.

Tasks and responsibilities

1.    Activities under TCP/SFS/4007/C6: Support efforts to mobilize resources for the implementation of the SFS Flagship programme
•     Incorporate additional comments to enhance the quality of documents for the three SFS Flagship Programme proposals, ensuring that they are fully aligned with FAO and donor requirements. 
•     Finalize preparation of priority communication and visibility materials(factsheets, frequently asked questions, policy briefs and pitch documents) for the SFS Flagship programmes as required by SFS. 
•     Update resource partner contact list and develop an effective donor/resource partner outreach plan, including through organization and participation in the bilateral meetings and partner briefings.
•     Prepare at least one project proposal or concept note (CN) for each of the Flagship Programmes for submission to relevant funders.
•     Follow-up for the decision/outcome of the project proposals/CN submissions. 
•     Participate in discussions and  negotiations with resource partners at the regional and country level, in close collaboration with relevant TCUs at SFS and other HQ units as appropriate.
•     Support the organisation, facilitation and reporting on the donor/partner round tables/partner fairs and organize strategic engagement meetings with Senior Management of the identified resource partners, presenting outcomes from the technical engagement (Partner fair).
•     Support and contribute to efforts aimed at enhancing the visibility of the SFS Flagship Programme among potential donors
•     Contribute to the regular sharing of information on project activities, achievements and lessons learned with relevant stakeholders.

2.    Activities under TCP/SFS/4007/C6: SADC/FAOSFS countries regional agrifood systems stakeholder mapping and intelligence system
•     Conduct a stakeholder mapping exercise for the Southern Africa subregion under the Hand-in-Hand Initiative. 
•     Identify and profile key agrifood systems stakeholders, including development partners, private sector actors, potential investors, producer associations, civil society organizations, and research and academic institutions.
•     Consolidate and clean data to develop a structured and validated stakeholder database that supports both Hand-in-Hand partnership coordination and Flagship Programme resource mobilization.
•     Produce an interactive stakeholder network map using the Kumu map (public use) while complying with personal data policies, visually presenting institutional linkages, investment interests, and thematic areas such as irrigation, mechanization, agro-processing, and market integration.
•     Prepare an analytical report summarizing the mapping process, methodology, stakeholder typologies, key findings, and recommendations for engagement under the Hand-in-Hand framework.
•     Deliver a presentation on the database, visual map, and main insights to guide next steps in transformative partnership and investment facilitation in the framework of resources mobilization.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     For Consultants: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO / For PSA.SBS: University degree or specific technical specialization in agronomy, food security, climate science, nutrition, economics, social science, political science, international relations, or sector corresponding to FAO's mandate. Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional 
•     10 years of relevant experience in the agricultural development sector, including a minimum 5 years’ experience preferably in developing and/or implementing partnerships and resource mobilization strategies. 
•     Working knowledge of English (Level C).

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills  

•     Experience working in related field which includes demonstrable experience with research, drafting and preparation of policies and programmes.
•     Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable 
•     Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas and concepts in written and oral form, including in preparing proposals and report writing. 
•     Demonstrated ability to develop and effectively manage partnerships with donor partners, potential donor groups as well as UN, NGOs and Governments