PARTNERSHIPS CONSULTANT

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions

Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged to apply.

Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Organizational Setting

Lebanon faces numerous challenges related to food security, sustainable agriculture, and natural resources management. In response to these challenges, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has developed a strategic framework known as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) for the period 2023-2026. The CPF serves as a roadmap for FAO’s engagement and activities in Lebanon, outlining key programmatic areas and objectives.

The Non-State Actors (NSA) including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), academia, research institutions, private sector, producer organisations play a vital role in addressing the complex issues outlined in the CPF. CSOs are often at the forefront of grassroots efforts, advocating for sustainable practices and providing essential services to vulnerable communities.

The synergy between NSAs and FAO presents a significant opportunity to enhance the impact of CPF implementation. By collaborating and sharing resources, knowledge, and expertise, NSAs can contribute more effectively to the CPF’s goals.  To harness this potential, it is crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of the existing relationships and areas of collaboration between NSAs and FAO.

The purpose of those Terms of Reference is to outline the scope of work and responsibilities for a consultant who will be engaged to facilitate partnerships with Non-State Actors (NSAs) in Lebanon. The consultant will play a crucial role in fostering collaborations, strengthening relationships, and enhancing the impact of FAO Lebanon’s initiatives.

Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAOR and the direct supervision of the Liaison and Resilience Officer, the Partnerships consultant will have the following duties:

Technical Focus
Definition of the scope and desk review (10 days):

• Define the scope of the mapping exercise, including the key programmatic areas and stakeholders to be included.
• Conduct a thorough desk review of existing data sources to gather initial insights. 
• Establish a clear methodology for data collection and analysis.

Data collection through interviews (20 days)

• Organize interviews with CSOs and other relevant stakeholders.
• Collect data on the engagement patterns, challenges and opportunities, and potential synergies between CSOs and other stakeholders, and FAO.
• Validate and supplement existing data with new insights gathered from stakeholders.
• Compile and clean and prepare the data for map production.

Report and Presentation (10 days)

• Production of a relational map by HQ (PSU)
• Analyse the collected data to generate a comprehensive report.
• Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders, including FAO Lebanon.
• Provide a roadmap for enhancing collaboration and partnership opportunities with NSAs in support of the CPF 2023-2026 objectives.

Tasks and responsibilities

Expected Outputs:

A concept note of the mapping, defining the scope and variables and outlining the data sources, the methodology and the data collection plan. 10 days after start of the contract

Dataset containing information on existing and potential engagement. 30 days after start of the contract

An online relational map (using Kumu software) – prepared by HQ-, a workshop with selected CSOs and stakeholders, and a report including a roadmap for enhancing partnerships with CSOs. NTE of the contract.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   

Qualifications

• Education: University Degree in rural development, agriculture, food security, social sciences, political sciences, international relations, or any other relevant field.
• At least 5 years of experience in data collection and report writing, working with civil society organisations, preferably in Lebanon or the Middle East region.
• Strong understanding of the civil society landscape.
• Excellent communication and working skills.
• Proven ability to develop and implement partnership strategies.
• Fluency in English and Arabic (both written and spoken).

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Market research
• Data analysis
• Technology proficiency
• Strategic planning
• Relationship building
• Communication
• Innovation
• Adaptability
• Ethical consideration

Selection Criteria

• Relevant experience
• Communication skills
• Results-oriented
• Educational background
• Cross-functional collaboration

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ 
• For more information, visit the FAO employment website
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.