The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has issued a Call for Interest for a Senior Partnership Officer position based in New York. This role is offered as a Temporary Professional Officer (TPO) appointment with a duration of 11 months, at P-4 grade, and does not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to another contract type. The closing date for applications is 3 February 2026 (midnight, Rome time). Organisational Context IFAD is a specialised United Nations agency and international financial institution committed to eradicating rural poverty and hunger by investing in rural people. The organisation finances agricultural and rural development programmes, supports inclusive rural transformation, and advocates for policies that enhance food security and sustainable livelihoods. The position is located within IFAD’s External Relations Department (ERD), which leads the Fund’s external engagement through: Global policy advocacy Strategic partnerships Resource mobilisation Replenishment negotiations with Member States Strategic communications ERD is structured into two divisions, alongside a cross-cutting initiative: Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division (GPR) Communications Division (COM) Food Systems Coordination (FSC) Division and Functional Focus The Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization (GPR) Division plays a central role in IFAD’s engagement with Member States, bilateral and multilateral institutions, private sector partners, and philanthropic organisations. Its work is organised around three core functions: Global policy engagement and multilateral relations Strategic partnerships Resource mobilisation, including replenishment, supplementary funding, and blended finance GPR operates through four liaison offices: the Americas (Washington D.C. and New York), Arab and Gulf States, Japan, and Brussels. Role Purpose The Senior Partnership Officer will be a senior professional with demonstrated expertise in engaging private sector entities and foundations. The role focuses on strengthening IFAD’s partnerships, influence, and visibility while ensuring coherence across departments. The incumbent will work closely with colleagues in GPR, the Department of Country Operations (DCO), and the Office of Technical Delivery (OTD) to align partnership strategies with operational and institutional priorities. Through effective relationship management and the use of established professional networks, the role supports IFAD’s mandate by expanding innovative and pragmatic collaboration with non-traditional partners. Key Functions and Responsibilities The Senior Partnership Officer will be responsible for the following core functions: Leading the design and implementation of partnership strategies targeting foundations, philanthropic organisations, and private sector entities Advocating for increased external support aligned with IFAD’s Programme of Loans and Grants and Programme of Work Supporting DCO and OTD in mainstreaming private sector and foundation partnerships within country and operational programmes Strengthening IFAD’s institutional narrative and partnership positioning, including contributions to the IFAD14 Replenishment Enhancing IFAD’s visibility and profile at major global events such as UN General Assembly sessions and climate conferences Managing GPR’s role in IFAD’s partnership due diligence systems Building and maintaining relationships with influential global networks relevant to private sector engagement, including the World Economic Forum Expected Results Key deliverables for the assignment include: Development and implementation of an Action Plan for partnerships with foundations and philanthropic organisations aligned with IFAD14 priorities Preparation of an Approach Paper for private sector partnerships, building on IFAD’s Private Sector Operational Engagement Strategy (2024), with a focus on priority Member States Establishment of strong and sustained collaboration mechanisms with DCO and OTD Qualifications and Experience Education Advanced university degree in international development, international relations, political science, or a related field Degree must be from an accredited institution listed on the World Higher Education Database Professional Experience Minimum of eight years of progressively relevant experience At least three years in a multicultural or globally oriented organisation Proven track record in partnership development, stakeholder engagement, and strategic advisory roles Experience with development finance systems is considered an asset Language and Skills Requirements Languages Required: English (excellent) Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic Core Competencies Strategic partnership development with private sector and philanthropic actors Strong understanding of IFAD’s business and financial model Marketing and advocacy for resource mobilisation Risk identification and mitigation, including reputational risk Stakeholder and network management at senior levels Change management and strategic problem-solving High-level negotiation and representation skills Clear, diplomatic, and effective written and verbal communication Employment Conditions and Additional Information Temporary Professional Officers are short-term staff members with no expectation of continued employment. IFAD staff are international civil servants subject to geographical mobility and assignment changes in line with organisational priorities. IFAD is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Applications from persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged. The organisation maintains zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, or abuse. Applicants are advised that IFAD does not charge any recruitment fees and only communicates through official email addresses ending in @ifad.org. Due to resource constraints, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. 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