Partnerships Specialist, Government

Job Description – Partnerships Specialist (2600348)
CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT 2600348
Job Posting
13/Feb/2026
Closure Date
27/Feb/2026, 10:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: PSU
Job Type
Non‑staff opportunities – Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
Primary Location
Italy – Rome
Duration: 6 months with possibility of extension
Post Number: N/A

FAO is committed to workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non‑ and under‑represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Everyone working for FAO must uphold the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and adhere to FAO’s values.
FAO has a zero‑tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework 2022‑31 by transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable.
The Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) coordinates and oversees strategic partnerships with UN agencies and non‑state actors (NSAs) to advance the Strategic Framework and the SDGs.
The UN Collaboration Unit (PSUU) provides strategic direction for engagement with the UN system and coordinates partnership frameworks with other UN entities.
Key Functions

Catalyze, strengthen and coordinate transformative UN partnerships around food security and sustainable agrifood systems to support the SDGs and the FAO Strategic Framework 2022‑31.
Facilitate and support FAO senior management engagement in UN inter‑agency mechanisms and other UN system‑wide processes.
Ensure comprehensive integration and strategic positioning of FAO’s mandate and priorities in high‑level UN fora, in close coordination with technical divisions and decentralized offices.
Coordinate FAO’s provision of integrated policy support to UN Country Teams and share knowledge and good practices on UNDS repositioning.
Lead FAO’s relationship with Rome‑based Agencies (RBAs) and oversee partnership frameworks with other UN entities, reporting results to FAO’s Governing Bodies.

FAO International Consultants and Call Purpose
The Organization frequently engages experts as international consultants or under PSA contracts to provide expertise for specific tasks. The assignment may be full‑time or part‑time and may be extended on a satisfactory basis.
The objective of this call is to attract suitable individuals for consultancies and/or PSAs in the area of UN collaboration and multilateral partnerships. Qualified specialists will be added to the UN Collaboration Unit roster for future opportunities.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will work under the general guidance of the Head of Unit or Partnerships Officer.
Technical Focus

FAO’s global positioning in UN inter‑agency mechanisms and processes
RBA collaboration
Reporting on results
Institutional engagement with UN and the wider multilateral system
UN joint programming portfolio and PSUU’s country offer
Communications, events and knowledge management

Tasks and Responsibilities

FAO’s global positioning in UN inter‑agency mechanisms and processes

Analyze UN80 reform priorities and system‑wide strategies to identify opportunities.
Draft technical briefs, talking points and inputs for FAO’s engagement in UNSDG, ECOSOC and other UN mechanisms.
Coordinate internal consultations across relevant FAO units.

RBA collaboration

Analyze joint initiatives, frameworks and governance processes across the RBAs.
Draft contributions to joint RBA statements and progress reports.
Coordinate follow‑up actions with RBA counterparts.

Reporting on results

Analyze programme data and performance indicators.
Draft contributions to FAO’s UN…