Partnerships Advisor (Humanitarian and Development Coordination)

Under the overall supervision of the Country Manager, the Partnerships Advisor works closely with the Head of the Resident Coordinators Office. Within the delegated authority, the Partnerships Advisor will be responsible for the following duties:

Coordination and Planning:

• Coordinate across stakeholders through the HCCT and Inter-cluster Coordination Group (ICCG) to support preparedness and response efforts related to climate-induced and natural disasters and the Rohingya response and work closely with RCO colleagues to strengthen the link to the broader sustainable development agenda.

• Act as a bridge between the stakeholders  to ensure donor funding is aligned with the UNSDCF, humanitarian response plans, and other strategic frameworks, maximizing impact and coherence.

• Organize Donor Coordination Forums: Plan and execute forums that bring together key stakeholders, facilitating information exchange, program updates, and feedback. These forums foster transparency, mutual understanding, and stronger working relationships among stakeholders.

• Lead the development of response plans and appeals, working closely with the Country Manager on the UNSDCF, and with the Inter-sector Coordination Group (ISCG) and access to humanitarian pooled funds, e.g. CERF.

Donor Relations and Engagement

• Support the Local Consultative Group (LCG): Actively contribute to the LCG, a platform for development dialogue that includes Development Partners, UN agencies, multilateral and bilateral organizations, international financial institutions, and the Government. Facilitate information sharing and support collaborative discussions on development effectiveness.

• Carry out donor relations and engagement through the Local Consultative Group (LCG) and linking the Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG) and Strategic Executive Group (SEG); Act as a liaison between the stakeholders on humanitarian response, preparedness and early warning and the link to resilience, early recovery, climate adaptation and the efforts of international financial institutions. Ensure effective communication channels, timely responses, and coordinated follow-up with stakeholders to foster strong, sustainable partnerships.

• Build and Sustain Strategic Partnerships: Cultivate and maintain close partnerships with a diverse range of donors, including bilateral and multilateral agencies, philanthropic foundations, and private sector partners. Regularly engage with these partners to explore areas of mutual interest, aligning development objectives with donor priorities to ensure continued support.

• Coordinate Regular Donor Briefings, Meetings, and Field Visits: Organize and facilitate briefings, in-person meetings, and field visits to update donors on program progress, impact, and challenges. This enhances transparency and strengthens trust by providing a direct understanding of how their contributions support development and humanitarian work.

Advocacy and Resource Mobilization

• Lead the Development of Resource Mobilization Strategies: Drive the creation of targeted strategies and actionable plans that outline fundraising priorities, ensuring these strategies are closely aligned with the UNSDCF and national priorities.

• Identify and Pursue Funding Opportunities: Conduct thorough research to identify new funding opportunities and develop proposals. Collaborate with programme teams to craft high-quality proposals that present compelling cases for support.

• Facilitate Effective Fund Disbursement: Act as the liaison between stakeholders to ensure funds are disbursed in a timely, efficient manner. Monitor the fund disbursement process to address any delays or bottlenecks, ensuring resources are available for prompt programme implementation.

• Produce a range of advocacy materials including briefing notes, talking points, speeches and presentations for partner audiences.

Monitoring, Reporting and Information Management

• Oversee Tracking and Reporting of Donor Contributions and response implementation: Manage systems for tracking donor contributions and financial commitments, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records. Regularly review these records to keep stakeholders informed of the current financial landscape.

• Prepare High-Quality Reports and Proposals: Draft or contribute to reports, briefing papers, case studies, policy documents, and presentations that effectively communicate programme impact and align with donor reporting requirements. Tailor these documents to clearly highlight the significance and outcomes of donor contributions.

• Ensure Compliance with Donor Requirements: Monitor all reporting activities to ensure compliance with donor requirements, including adherence to deadlines and specified formats. Collaborate with relevant teams to gather necessary information for timely, accurate report submission.

a. Education

• A master’s degree or equivalent in political science, social sciences, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering, earth sciences, or a related field is required.

• Candidates with a first-level university degree in one of the fields mentioned above, combined with substantial qualifying experience, may also be considered. 

b. Work Experience 

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in areas such as development programming, humanitarian coordination, strategic communications, resource mobilization, donor relations, or fundraising. This experience should reflect a proven ability to work within complex program environments, engage diverse stakeholders, and manage donor relations effectively.

• Previous experience with the United Nations, an international organization, or a large foundation is highly desirable. This background equips candidates with familiarity with multilateral processes, cross-sector collaboration, and the ability to navigate institutional dynamics within the UN system or similar environments.

c) Languages:

• Proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential for effective communication, drafting of reports, and engaging with stakeholders at all levels.

• Knowledge of another UN official language (e.g., French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian) or Bengali is considered an asset. Proficiency in additional languages enhances the ability to work in multilingual settings, facilitates communication with diverse stakeholders, and supports cross-cultural understanding in a global context.