P
Jaber Kazhaz
Portfolio for Partnerships & Liaison Specialist (Consultant)
Vacancy ref. Post 2004282 · Budapest, Hungary

Hi, I'm Jaber — here's my portfolio for Partnerships & Liaison Specialist (Consultant).

Thank you for taking the time to interview me. Below are just some of the examples highlighting work I have done that aligns with the Programme Officer position.

Browse my workAbout Me
Programmatic, administrative, technical and communications
Partnerships & Liaison Specialist (Consultant)
Grade
P-2
Duty station
Budapest, Hungary
Unit
REU — Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia
Post number
2004282
LegendFAONGOStartupInternship
Part I

Key Functions

Generic responsibilities of the Programme Officer role at the P-2 level.

FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

EU policy and financing landscape analysis for FAO programming

Context
Recurrent need at the Liaison Office for analytical inputs on EU external action instruments (NDICI–Global Europe, Team Europe Initiatives) and their relevance to FAO's portfolio.
Contribution
Tracked EU policy and programming developments, built a working donor-intelligence tracker, and synthesised findings into briefing notes for FAO senior management and decentralized offices.
Outcome
Notes informed FAO's positioning ahead of bilateral meetings with EU counterparts and helped target follow-up engagement on priority files.
Tools used
Power BIExcelSharePointMS 365
Files & previews — click to enlarge
Donor intelligenceEU programmingBriefing notes
FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

Country Programming Framework (CPF) analytical review

Context
Need to align partner engagement and project ideas with national priorities reflected in CPFs across multiple countries.
Contribution
Analysed CPFs to extract Programme Priority Areas and entry points for EU and SSTC partners; structured findings for reuse across notes and proposals.
Outcome
Findings reused in talking points, project concept notes and meeting briefs for FAO HQ and country office colleagues.
Tools used
ExcelSharePointFPMIS
Files & previews — click to enlarge
CPF analysisAlignmentCountry programming
Also relevant — internship experience
Internship

Policy research support for SCBD COP-15 preparation

CBD Secretariat — Montreal (Intern)

Researched and analysed policy documents, prepared synthesis notes and contributed to background materials for high-level meetings.

MS OfficeEndnote
FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

Review of EU agrifood and external action policy trends

Context
Emerging EU files (Global Gateway, food systems, climate finance) regularly required quick interpretation for FAO units.
Contribution
Synthesised official EU communications, Council conclusions and think-tank analysis into short policy reads tied to FAO's Strategic Framework.
Outcome
Used by colleagues in HQ divisions and decentralized offices to anticipate engagement opportunities.
Tools used
MS 365SharePoint
Policy analysisStrategic framing
NGO· Mlint — Farmers' Organization, Dakhla

Lessons-learned input from grassroots project work

Context
Project activities in a post-conflict context required structured reflection for partners and donors.
Contribution
Supported monitoring, data collection and structured lessons-learned reviews; contributed to reporting that fed back into activity adjustments.
Outcome
Findings shaped subsequent capacity-development activities tailored to local needs.
Tools used
ExcelMS ProjectTrello
M&ELessons learnedField context
Also relevant — internship experience
Internship

Programmatic support during UNEA 2019

UNEP HQ — Nairobi (Intern)

Provided technical support to programmatic work at UNEP HQ during UNEA, including review of session materials and emerging policy issues.

MS OfficeUmoja
NGO· Mlint — Farmers' Organization, Dakhla

Beneficiary and member data collection with a farmers' organization

Context
Programme operations required reliable baseline and follow-up data from cooperative members.
Contribution
Co-designed simple data collection instruments adapted to the local context, supervised data entry and produced first-pass analysis.
Outcome
Preliminary conclusions used to refine activity targeting and reporting to partners.
Tools used
ExcelPower BIKoboToolbox
Files & previews — click to enlarge
Data collectionField surveysAnalysis
Also relevant — internship experience
Internship

Stakeholder mapping for the Pastoralist Knowledge Hub

FAO HQ — Rome (Intern)

Compiled and structured stakeholder data, reviewed responses from focal points and prepared summary outputs.

ExcelMS Office
FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

Background and analytical notes on EU–FAO cooperation

Context
Demand from FAO HQ and decentralized offices for clear, source-grounded notes ahead of meetings, missions and events.
Contribution
Lead drafter of background notes, talking points and meeting briefs; integrated comments through internal clearance.
Outcome
Materials used directly by FAO senior staff in engagements with EU institutions and Member State counterparts.
Tools used
WordSharePointMS 365
Files & previews — click to enlarge
DraftingBriefingsClearance
FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

Inputs to internal reporting and knowledge products

Context
Liaison Office contributions to corporate reporting and knowledge sharing on partnerships.
Contribution
Drafted sections summarising EU engagement, partnership results and outreach activities.
Outcome
Inputs incorporated into reports shared across FAO offices.
Tools used
WordSharePointFPMIS
ReportingKnowledge management
NGO· Mlint — Farmers' Organization, Dakhla

Project documentation and proposal writing

Context
Project cycle documents and proposals were needed for government and private-sector donor engagement.
Contribution
Drafted project documents, concept notes and proposals aligned with PMI standards.
Outcome
Documents used to secure stakeholder buy-in and contribute to resource mobilization.
Tools used
WordExcelMS Project
Files & previews — click to enlarge
Proposal writingProject docs
Also relevant — internship experience
Internship

Meeting preparation documents for COP-15

CBD Secretariat — Montreal (Intern)

Drafted background notes and meeting preparation documents under supervision of policy officers.

MS Office
FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

Outreach and partner-engagement events on FAO–EU cooperation

Context
Regular events with EU institutions, Member States and Brussels-based partners.
Contribution
Supported design of agendas, prepared speaking notes and presentations, and represented the office in technical exchanges.
Outcome
Strengthened visibility of FAO's work and generated follow-up engagement on specific files.
Tools used
PowerPointCanvaZoom / Teams
Files & previews — click to enlarge
OutreachPresentationsStakeholder engagement
NGO· Mlint — Farmers' Organization, Dakhla

Capacity-development sessions with cooperative members

Context
Grassroots organization needed targeted training on basic project and reporting practices.
Contribution
Co-developed and facilitated short workshops tailored to participants' literacy and language needs.
Outcome
Improved quality of activity tracking and member feedback used in subsequent reporting.
Tools used
PowerPointPrint materials
TrainingFacilitationCapacity development
Also relevant — internship experience
Internship

Support to international capacity-building activities

FAO HQ — Rome (Intern)

Supported organization of capacity-building activities and preparation of materials for partner sessions.

MS OfficePowerPoint
FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

Mission support from the Liaison Office

Context
Visiting FAO colleagues and senior management regularly engage with Brussels-based counterparts.
Contribution
Prepared mission briefs and agendas, supported logistics and meetings, and drafted follow-up notes.
Outcome
Smooth mission delivery with clear records of outcomes and agreed next steps.
Tools used
MS 365SharePointOutlook
Mission supportBriefing packsFollow-up
NGO· Mlint — Farmers' Organization, Dakhla

Field engagement with a farmers' organization in a post-conflict context

Context
Embedded project associate role in Western Sahara.
Contribution
Supported on-the-ground programme operations, data collection, monitoring and coordination with local stakeholders; contributed to reporting and follow-up.
Outcome
Strengthened the organization's documentation and reporting practices and informed activity adjustments.
Tools used
ExcelMS ProjectKoboToolbox
Files & previews — click to enlarge
Field workOperationsPost-conflict
Also relevant — internship experience
Internship

On-site support during UNEA 2019

UNEP HQ — Nairobi (Intern)

Provided substantive and administrative support to delegations and the programmatic team during the Assembly.

MS Office
FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

Project cycle support across FAO and partner settings (PMP-certified)

Context
Project cycle support from design through closing, applying PMP-certified project management practice.
Contribution
Contributed to project proposal development and review, work planning, progress reporting and coordination of inputs from technical and operational colleagues.
Outcome
On-time submissions and clearer alignment between narrative progress and financial delivery.
Tools used
FPMISGRMSMS ProjectExcel
Files & previews — click to enlarge
PMPProject cycleReporting
NGO· Mlint — Farmers' Organization, Dakhla

Project management aligned to PMI standards

Context
Project activities required full project cycle management against best practice.
Contribution
Conducted budget monitoring, scheduling, procurement and project document writing aligned with PMI standards.
Outcome
Predictable project delivery and stronger basis for partner reporting.
Tools used
MS ProjectExcelTrello
Budget monitoringProcurementPMI
Startup· Mantera UG — EdTech Startup, Munich

Budget and team management at an early-stage startup

Context
Project manager role in an agile, fast-paced startup environment.
Contribution
Managed a EUR 200K budget and a team of interns and early employees, including planning, tracking and reporting against milestones.
Outcome
Delivered project objectives within budget while building team capacity.
Tools used
AsanaExcelSlackNotion
Files & previews — click to enlarge
Budget managementTeam leadershipDelivery
Part II

Specific Functions

Position-specific responsibilities focused on SSTC, partnerships and programme development in REU.

FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

Contribution to mobilizing over USD 3M in EU financing (2025)

Context
Active EU funding pipeline at the Liaison Office.
Contribution
Supported organization, participation and follow-up of donor meetings and missions; contributed to proposal development and review, donor intelligence and mapping exercises.
Outcome
Concrete contribution to mobilization of over USD 3M in EU financing in 2025, aligned with FAO Corporate priorities.
Tools used
FPMISPower BISharePointSalesforce
Files & previews — click to enlarge
Resource mobilizationEU financingProposal development
NGO· Mlint — Farmers' Organization, Dakhla

Resource mobilization and agricultural finance access

Context
Cooperative members needed access to finance and the organization needed external resources to scale activities.
Contribution
Contributed to resource mobilization activities and supported access to agricultural finance for members.
Outcome
New funding lines and finance pathways opened for cooperative activities.
Tools used
ExcelWord
Resource mobilizationFinance access
FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

CPF analysis to align engagement and proposals with national priorities

Context
Need to ensure briefing materials and project-related inputs are anchored in country priorities.
Contribution
Analysed CPFs to identify priority areas, possible RM angles and SSTC entry points; integrated findings into notes and proposal inputs.
Outcome
Improved alignment of FAO engagement and proposal pitches with national priorities and FAO's Strategic Framework.
Tools used
ExcelFPMISSharePoint
CPFUNSDCFStrategic FrameworkSSTC
FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

Cross-office coordination from the Liaison Office

Context
Day-to-day coordination with FAO HQ technical divisions, regional and country offices, and external counterparts.
Contribution
Acted as a connector between Brussels-based partners and FAO colleagues, facilitating information flows, scheduling and follow-up on agreed actions.
Outcome
Coherent FAO engagement on EU files and timely follow-through on commitments.
Tools used
OutlookMS TeamsSharePoint
CoordinationDecentralized offices
Also relevant — internship experience
Internship

Support to a multistakeholder partnership at FAO HQ

FAO HQ — Rome (Intern)

Supported international coordination of the partnership, including capacity-building activities and partner communications.

MS OfficeOutlook
FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

Partner engagement and proposal support with EU and Member State actors

Context
Active partner network across EU institutions, Member States and Brussels-based stakeholders relevant to SSTC.
Contribution
Supported organization of bilateral meetings, prepared talking points, contributed to proposal drafting and review, and tracked follow-up on partnership opportunities.
Outcome
Several partnership conversations advanced to concrete proposals and agreements.
Tools used
SalesforceOutlookSharePoint
PartnershipsNegotiation supportSSTC
NGO· Mlint — Farmers' Organization, Dakhla

Stakeholder engagement with government and private-sector donors

Context
Cooperative growth required strong relationships with government officials and private-sector donors.
Contribution
Engaged stakeholders, developed partnerships and aligned project activities to PMI standards.
Outcome
New partnerships and donor relationships unlocked for the organization.
Tools used
ExcelWord
Stakeholder engagementPartnerships
FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

Outreach planning for FAO partnership messaging in Brussels

Context
Need to position FAO's work effectively with EU and Member State audiences, including on SSTC angles.
Contribution
Contributed to outreach planning across audiences and channels, in coordination with FAO communications and technical colleagues.
Outcome
More targeted engagement and clearer SSTC narratives in outreach moments.
Tools used
CanvaMailchimpPowerPoint
Files & previews — click to enlarge
AdvocacyAudience strategySSTC
Startup· Mantera UG — EdTech Startup, Munich

External communications and brand outreach

Context
Startup growth depended on consistent outreach and communications across audiences.
Contribution
Coordinated communications activities and acted as focal point with stakeholders across organizations and levels.
Outcome
Stronger external visibility and more consistent brand messaging.
Tools used
MailchimpCanvaAdobe Creative Suite
CommunicationsOutreach
FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

Support to corporate events and high-level moments in Brussels

Context
Annual cycle of EU-related events (partnership events, exhibitions, high-level moments).
Contribution
Supported planning, speaker and partner coordination, briefing materials and on-site delivery.
Outcome
Events delivered as planned, with materials reused in follow-up engagement.
Tools used
MS 365CanvaEventbrite
Files & previews — click to enlarge
EventsCoordinationCorporate advocacy
Also relevant — internship experience
Internship

Preparation for high-level CBD meetings ahead of COP-15

CBD Secretariat — Montreal (Intern)

Prepared for a wide range of high-level meetings on conservation-related issues, including COP-15 preparatory sessions.

MS Office
FAO· FAO Liaison Office to the EU — Brussels

Distilling complex content into clear messages for partners

Context
Diverse audiences (technical, political, donor) require tailored framing of FAO's work and results.
Contribution
Identified story angles and key messages from project results and policy work; translated technical content into concise outputs in line with the Strategic Framework.
Outcome
Clearer, more usable narrative material for engagement with partners and donors.
Tools used
PowerPointCanvaWord
MessagingStorytellingStrategic Framework
Startup· Mantera UG — EdTech Startup, Munich

Story and message development for EdTech audiences

Context
Startup needed clear, compelling messaging across users, partners and investors.
Contribution
Identified key messages and story angles from product and impact data; coordinated their use across channels.
Outcome
Sharper external narrative used in pitches and partner conversations.
Tools used
CanvaAdobe Creative SuiteNotion
MessagingStorytelling
About me

A short introduction.

I am a programme professional with experience in stakeholder engagement and project management across sectors — from a UN Liaison Office and other UN entities to a grassroots farmers' organization and an EdTech startup — complemented by hands-on resource mobilization experience working with EU institutions, Member States and private donors. My work bridges policy, field realities and partner engagement. Below are my CV and cover letter, and a timeline of where I have worked.

CV · PDF
Jaber Kazhaz — CV
Cover letter · PDF
Cover letter — SSTC
Timeline
  1. Aug 2024 – PresentFAO

    Partnerships & Liaison Specialist

    FAO — Liaison Office to the European Union & Belgium · Belgium
    • EU policy & donor intelligence; briefing notes for senior management.
    • Support to FAO–EU partnership engagement and outreach moments.
    • Coordination with HQ divisions and decentralized offices.
  2. 2023 – 2024NGO

    Project Associate

    Mlint — Farmers' Organization · Southern Morocco & Western Sahara
    • PMI-aligned project documentation and proposal writing.
    • Field data collection, M&E and lessons-learned reviews.
    • Capacity-development sessions with cooperative members.
  3. Jul 2020 – Feb 2023Startup

    Project Manager

    Mantera UG — EdTech Startup · Germany
    • End-to-end project management across product and partnerships.
    • Stakeholder coordination and external communications.
    • Messaging and storytelling across audiences.
  4. Nov 2019 – Mar 2020Internship

    Intern

    CBD Secretariat (UN) · Canada
    • Policy research and background materials for COP-15 preparation.
    • Briefing notes for high-level meetings.
  5. Jan 2019 – Aug 2019Internship

    Intern — Policy & Programmes

    UNEP HQ · Kenya
    • Primary work supporting the Gender & Safeguards unit on policy and programmatic deliverables.
    • Periodic support to other units in the division, including the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Unit.
    • Programmatic support across teams during the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 2019).
  6. Oct 2018 – Jan 2019Internship

    Intern — Pastoralist Knowledge Hub

    FAO HQ · Italy
    • Stakeholder mapping and partner database management.
    • Support to international capacity-building activities.
View of the Hungarian Parliament along the Danube at golden hour
Chain Bridge over the Danube at dusk
Cobblestone street in Budapest's Castle District
Thank you

Committed to FAO's mandate and the promise of South–South and Triangular Cooperation.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. As a national of a developing country — Mauritania — I am a strong supporter and firm believer in the promise of South–South and Triangular Cooperation. This conviction feels especially urgent today, as shifting geopolitical priorities reshape ODA flows and traditional development cooperation: SSTC offers a complementary, peer-to-peer way of working, grounded in country experience and built on the idea that solutions developed in one context can unlock progress in another. I would be honoured to contribute to that agenda, and to keep learning from the partners, colleagues and countries that make it real.