Partnerships for Development and Nutrition Support Officer

Host entity: IFAD BEN

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Natural resources management, Administration, Finance, accounting

Application deadline: 05/10/2026

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.

Assignment context

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.

Task description

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.

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.

Skills in:
• Negotiation
• Advocacy
• External relation management
• Resources mobilization

Competencies and values

Accountability
Adaptability and Flexibility
Building Trust
Client Orientation
Commitment and Motivation
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Communication
Creativity
Empowering Others
Ethics and Values
Integrity
Judgement and Decision-making
Knowledge Sharing
Leadership
Managing Performance
Planning and Organizing
Professionalism
Respect for Diversity
Self-Management
Technological Awareness
Vision
Working in Teams

Living conditions

The Republic of Benin is a country located on the west coast of Africa. Its immediate neighbours are Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Living conditions are relatively good. Benin is currently classified as hardship category B. The current situation in Benin is relatively calm, with a security level (SLS 1) according to the United Nations.
This volunteer assignment is based in Cotonou, the country's capital.
Cotonou's climate is tropical, with a hotter, dry season from December to February and a rainy season from mid-March to October, during which there is a break in August. The Cotonou city is located in southern Benin, on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. The harmattan, the dust-laden wind, blows in the dry period, but less often than in the north-central of the country.
A significant portion of food is imported, but fresh food is readily available in the market. There is regular flights to/from Benin. The official language is French.
An entry visa is required for anyone traveling with or without the United Nations laissez-passer and must be obtained before arrival in the country. Furnished or unfurnished houses are available for rent between USD 300 and 500 per month. Meals at the restaurant cost between $10 and $25. The national currency is the CFA franc (1 Euro = 655,96 FCFA). Commercial banks exist. VISA credit cards are accepted in some hotels and large stores.
Benin has a high incidence of malaria. The use of mosquito nets is highly recommended. Vaccination against yellow fever is required. Other vaccines, such as meningitis and hepatitis B, are also recommended. Basic medicines are available in Cotonou, but it is advisable to bring your specialized medications. As the economic capital and largest city of Benin, Cotonou offers all the usual amenities of large cities (electricity, running water, clinics, hospitals, leisure activities, etc.).

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.