The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting applications for a Senior Partnerships Consultant in Geneva, Switzerland. This FAO job offers an opportunity for an experienced professional to lead international partnerships, agrifood innovation initiatives, private-sector engagement, and development cooperation.
The FAO Senior Partnerships Consultant 2026 position is particularly suited to professionals with extensive experience in partnership management, innovation ecosystems, international development, resource mobilization, and agrifood systems.
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FAO Senior Partnerships Consultant 2026
The position is based at the FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The consultant will work closely with FAO teams, Swiss authorities, private-sector organizations, research institutions, academic institutions, and innovation actors.
Approximately 80% of the role will focus on leading the FAO partnership with the Swiss Food and Nutrition Valley (SFNV), while the remaining 20% will support FAO’s engagement with the Swiss agrifood innovation ecosystem.
The consultancy is initially offered for 11 months, with the possibility of extension.
FAO Job Details
- Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- Position: Senior Partnerships Consultant
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Job Type: Non-staff opportunity
- Contract Type: Consultant
- Duration: 11 months, with possibility of extension
- Posting Date: 29 September 2026
- Application Deadline: 13 October 2026
- Organizational Unit: LOG – Liaison Office with the United Nations, Geneva
- Job Reference: 2602029
About the FAO Partnership Role
The FAO Senior Partnerships Consultant will play an important role in developing and managing partnerships that support more resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
A major responsibility will be leading the Swiss-Global Innovation Scaling Partnership, an initiative involving FAO and the Swiss Food and Nutrition Valley.
The partnership aims to connect Swiss innovation capabilities with practical needs in low- and middle-income countries. It seeks to support innovation that can contribute to food security, nutrition, food safety, sustainable livelihoods, and stronger agrifood systems.
The successful FAO consultant will therefore work across multiple sectors and coordinate stakeholders from government, business, academia, research, international organizations, and development cooperation.
Key Responsibilities
The FAO Senior Partnerships Consultant will be responsible for coordinating and managing partnership activities while supporting the development and scaling of innovative solutions.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the Swiss-Global Innovation Scaling Partnership.
- Connecting SFNV members with relevant FAO headquarters, country offices, and technical teams.
- Engaging companies, universities, research institutions, and other Swiss agrifood innovation actors.
- Supporting technical and financial partnerships for individual projects.
- Identifying actionable needs in partner countries.
- Supporting matchmaking between innovation providers and field-based needs.
- Contributing to fundraising and partnership development.
- Supporting the development and deployment of innovative solutions.
- Coordinating scaling-up activities and knowledge management.
- Developing monitoring, learning, and evaluation systems.
- Monitoring project timelines, budgets, and results.
- Coordinating individual projects across the partnership portfolio.
- Undertaking national travel and occasional international field missions.
- Promoting Swiss agrifood innovation and strengthening international partnerships.
This makes the FAO Geneva consultant job an important opportunity for professionals with strong international partnership and project leadership experience.
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates applying for the FAO Senior Partnerships Consultant position must meet specific academic and professional requirements.
Applicants should normally have an advanced university degree from a recognized institution in a relevant field such as:
- Agriculture
- Food Systems
- Economics
- Public Administration
- International Relations
- Political Sciences
- Business Administration
- Innovation Management
- Another field relevant to FAO’s mandate
A bachelor’s degree may be accepted instead of an advanced degree when combined with two additional years of relevant professional experience.
Candidates must also have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as project design and management, partnership development, innovation ecosystems, private-sector engagement, resource mobilization, or international development cooperation.
Applicants should have working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of at least one additional FAO official language. These include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish.
Skills and Professional Experience
The FAO job requires an experienced professional capable of managing complex partnerships involving different organizations and stakeholders.
Applicants should demonstrate experience in project and partnership management and the ability to coordinate with governments, international organizations, research institutions, universities, funding institutions, foundations, and private-sector organizations.
Experience in agrifood innovation, innovation scaling, and international development cooperation will be valuable.
Strong analytical, communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills are also required.
Experience with resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder initiatives is considered an advantage.
The selection process will also consider experience with public-private partnerships, innovation platforms, and agrifood systems. Previous experience with FAO, the United Nations system, or other international development organizations is an advantage.
Importantly, candidates should have deep knowledge and a professional network within the Swiss agrifood ecosystem.
Why Consider This FAO Opportunity?
The FAO Senior Partnerships Consultant 2026 opportunity provides experienced professionals with the chance to contribute to international efforts focused on sustainable agrifood systems and innovation.
Working in Geneva also provides exposure to a major international cooperation environment, where FAO engages with governments, United Nations organizations, development actors, research institutions, and private-sector partners.
The position is especially relevant for professionals who want to use their experience in partnership development, innovation management, agrifood systems, resource mobilization, and international development to support projects with potential impact in low- and middle-income countries.
FAO also encourages applications from qualified women, nationals of underrepresented Members, and persons with disabilities.
How to Apply for the FAO Job
Interested candidates should apply through the official FAO recruitment portal and create or complete their online profile.
Applicants should ensure that their profile accurately includes:
- Employment history
- Academic qualifications
- Professional experience
- Language skills
- Relevant competencies
Candidates are also required to attach a letter of motivation to their online application.
FAO states that only applications submitted through its recruitment portal will be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.
Academic qualifications must come from institutions recognized through the relevant IAU/UNESCO World Higher Education Database (WHED) requirements.
FAO Senior Partnerships Consultant Deadline
The application deadline for this FAO job in Geneva is 13 October 2026 at 11:59 PM, based on the time settings displayed by the FAO recruitment system.
Because applications are screened using the information provided in the online profile, candidates should carefully review their profile and ensure that their experience and qualifications are clearly presented before submitting the application.
FAO also states that it does not charge any fee at any stage of its recruitment process.
Official Application Link
Interested candidates should apply through the official FAO Jobs recruitment portal and search for Job Reference 2602029 – Senior Partnerships Consultant.
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