Partnerships Specialist
Multiple locations
- Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
- Location: Multiple locations
- Grade: Mid level - IICA-2, International Individual Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
- Closing Date: 2025-03-30
Functional Responsibilities
1. Partnership and programme development planning
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Develop a comprehensive partnership and programme development plan in line with UNOPS Strategic Plan and Regional Strategies. This includes country context, analysis of the regional and national development and humanitarian landscape, identification of main partners, strategic positioning of UNOPS in the potential operational niches identified, as well as grow a pipeline opportunities for all countries in scope of the UNOPS Multi-Country or Country Office or the HQ Partnership Group. Ensure that the plan reflects in-house capacity, typology of projects and the internal tools and knowledge resources.
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Examine risks and opportunities presented by the strategic positioning of the Multi Country / Country office and propose appropriate responses to ensure sustainable growth.
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Coordinate and collaborate with relevant Partnerships personnel at local, liaison and HQ level, as well as Project Managers and project personnel of the country offices covered by the office, to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners.
2. Develop opportunities
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Monitor and evaluate humanitarian and development trends and needs to identify areas of collaboration within UNOPS mandate and existing capacity.
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Research events, publications and announcements, to track and screen opportunities for possible UNOPS interventions and identify trends that will drive partnership opportunities.
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Provide advice and feedback to UNOPS HQ and Regional Office on the development of framework partnership agreements that can increase opportunities at the regional level.
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Contribute to the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects and programs and draft concept notes and project document briefs for discussion with partners.
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Create and maintain oneUNOPS opportunities and engagement functionalities in alignment with UNOPS corporate guidelines.
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Coordinate technical and financial requirements, and negotiate proposals to close new project opportunities.
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Drafts agreements and/or contractual documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.
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Understand and clearly explain UNOPS pricing policy to partners.
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Contribute to the diversification and expansion of the Multi Country / Country Office in line with UNOPS strategic and Regional objectives, with particular focus on priority sectors for UNOPS such as: Health, Climate/Environment, Energy and Peace.
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In coordination with the Communications and Reporting personnel, when available, gather content for communications and outreach materials for any countries managed within the scope of the UNOPS office or by the Partnerships Group.
3. Representation and inter-agency partnership
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Establish and further develop partnerships with UN agencies, international organizations, governments, foundations, international NGOs and private sector organizations to diversify project opportunities within the Multi Country / Country Office or Partnership Group.
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Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Communications Officer, when required.
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On behalf of the (Multi) Country Office Director, participate in and report on the relevant inter-agency, donor and government coordination meetings including addressing project development issues in consultation with UNOPS project managers and technical experts when required. Take part in UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNDAF, response plans, etc.
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Build a network of key partners, keeping abreast of evolving trends (social, economic, and political), including the application of innovation to project and partnership development.
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Implement standards, tools and templates provided by HQ to effectively manage partnership and project development within the team to enhance/maintain UNOPS effectiveness as a
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provider of project services for sustainable results.
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Contribute to the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximize performance and sustain achievements in project and partnership development.
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Help build partnerships capacity and negotiation skills among project managers
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Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building within project and partnership development.
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Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure its relevance to day-to-day operations.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
- A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, Political Science, Communications or International Relations is required.
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, Political Science, Communications or International Relations with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advance degree.
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A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in either International Development and/or Partnerships Development including demonstrated experience in:
- Project development and proposal writing;
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Establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international development organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs or private sector organisations is an asset.
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Project and programme management experience is an asset
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Prior experience working in international organisations, international development, post-disaster and/or emergency contexts would also be an advantage.
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Experience of Google Suite and or Web-based Management Systems is an advantage.
- Fluency in both French and English is required.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.