Partnerships for Development and Nutrition Support Officer, Cotonou

## Partnerships for Development and Nutrition Support Officer, Cotonou - Organization:IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development - Office:IFAD in Cotonou Description of assignment title:Partnerships for Development and Nutrition Support Officer Assignment country:Benin Duty stations:Cotonou Work location:On UN premises Expected start date:02/01/2027 Duration:12 monthsLong-term benefits and allowances Sustainable Development Goal:1. No poverty Volunteer category:Associate UCoS from Apr2026 Work schedule:Full-time Number of Assignments:1 Mission and objectives: - The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to eliminating poverty and hunger in rural areas. It does this by investing in rural communities. IFAD finances programs and projects that increase agricultural productivity and rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national, and international levels for policies that contribute to rural transformation. The IFAD country office in Cotonou (Benin) covers both Benin and Togo. - IFAD’s portfolio in Benin: It currently comprises three active projects: (i) the Project to Support Agricultural Development and Market Access (PADAAM); (ii) the Regional Program for Agricultural Market Integration (PRIMA); and (iii) the Project to Support Vegetable Farming Development (PADMAR). A fourth project (ProPEA) is scheduled for star-up in 2027. - IFAD’s portfolio in Togo: It currently comprises two ongoing operations: (i) the Project to Support the Risk-Sharing Agricultural Financing Incentive Mechanism (ProMIFA) and (ii) the Regional Program for Agricultural Market Integration (PRIMA). A new investment project is currently in design. - In March 2025, IFAD opened its country office in Cotonou, Benin, and planned to expand its staff by recruiting United Nations Volunteers (UNV). - The UNV will be based at IFAD’s Country Office in Benin to provide technical support for the implementation of the institution’s Country Program in Benin and Togo and will report to the IFAD Country Director. - Given the importance of collaborations and partnerships with both public and private actors to increase impact of IFAD’s activities in the country, this request aims to reinforce the country team with an international volunteer specializing in national and international partnerships for development, with a focus on nutrition. - Under the direct supervision of IFAD Country Director, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: - a. Partnership Repository — Creation & Management - • Design, structure and maintain an up-to-date repository of IFAD’s partners in Benin (multilateral institutions, bilateral partners, Government counterparts, NGOs, private sector); - • Document ongoing and past collaborations, partnership agreements and key contacts; - • Set up a system for tracking meetings held and interactions with partners, including agreed follow-up actions. - b. Partnership Development Support - • Attend meetings with partners (bilateral and multilateral) and ensure notetaking and follow-up on action points; - • Conduct scoping on ongoing initiatives in Benin, and identify new partnership oppor-tunities; - • Contribute to promoting joint initiatives with Rome-Based Agencies (FAO, WFP) and other development actors present in the country, that reduce post-harvest losses of perishable nutritious products (storage, processing, logistics) and help mainstream the Zero Hunger objective (SDG 2); - • Support the structuring of partnerships whose business models improve the availability, affordability and consumption of nutritious foods; - • Support the preparation of concept notes, partnership briefs and institutional communication materials targeting external partners; - • Support coordination and communication between ICO Benin and institutional partners; - • Contribute to the logistical and document management of partnership events (workshops, coordination meetings, joint missions); - • Support the production of periodic reports and analysis on the state of the partner-ship’s activities. - During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular checks with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback. - Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment. Additional eligibility criteria: - This assignment is funded by the Government of Switzerland. Only candidates who have been pre-selected by Switzerland (cinfo) are eligible to apply. Assignment requirements - French, Level: Fluent, Required - English, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable Required education level: - Master's degree in economics, agronomy, agribusiness, nutrition or public health, international trade, or related fields. Competencies and values: - Adaptability and Flexibility - Commitment and Motivation - Commitment to Continuous Learning - Judgement and Decision-making - Planning and Organizing - Respect for Diversity - Technological Awareness Skills and experience: - Demonstrated interest and/or experience (ideally one year) in `public sector engagement, nutrition-sensitive agriculture and development partnerships: - • Developing partnerships with the public sector and international organizations - • Resource mobilization and innovative financing - • Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development - • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded. - • External relation management - • Resources mobilization Area(s) of expertise: - Natural resources management, Administration, Finance, accounting