Partnerships Development Advisor

The Partnerships Development Advisor will:

• Develop partnerships and programming opportunities, in line with UNOPS strategic priorities and objective;

• Enable UNOPS strategic positioning as a partner of choice vis-a-vis the key stakeholders in the Gaza response;

• Head the UNOPS sub-office in Gaza, ensuring delivery against UNOPS strategic priorities and objectives;

• Represent UNOPS across security, inter-agency, and cluster coordination fora and in partner interactions;

• Provide leadership and oversight to assigned staff;

• Foster knowledge management, capture lessons learned, and promote best practices.

Key Responsibilities

A. Strategic Positioning & Analysis

• Monitor and analyse political, security and socio-economic trends in Gaza and provide the related, strategic advice to the UNOPS senior management.

• Advise the Jerusalem Director and Head of Programme on strategic opportunities and risks.

• Contribute to development of the UNOPS programming and partnerships strategy for Palestine (State of), in coordination with the relevant teams in the Jerusalem Office and the regional team.

• Identify and pursue new project opportunities by aligning UNOPS expertise with emerging humanitarian and early-recovery needs in Gaza, expanding the programme portfolio and contributing to the development of the programming portfolio, including support to development of project concept notes, proposals, and legal agreements.

• Maintain relationships with key stakeholders, donors, and partners.

• Support the Regional Director, the Jerusalem Director and the Head of Programme on strategic issues pertaining to UNOPS positioning and/or programming in Gaza.

B. Programme & Project Implementation

• Support Gaza-based project teams in stakeholder engagement and risk mitigation.

C. UNOPS representation

• Represent UNOPS in Gaza-level coordination fora

(i) Represent UNOPS and its interventions in Gaza at Gaza-level coordination and planning meetings and processes (e.g. AHCT, relevant Gaza level clusters, sectors and working groups) and report to the Jerusalem office.

(ii) Monitor, analyse and report to the Jerusalem Office on humanitarian developments, emergency situations and /or response in Gaza.

• Represent UNOPS in the Area Security Management Team (ASMT)

(i) Represent UNOPS at ASMT meetings and report to the Jerusalem Office.

(ii) In line with the UN Security Management System methodology, policies, and procedures, coordinate with UNOPS security unit and with Gaza-based FSAs the development of, as required, security risk assessments as advised by security Unit. 

(iii) Support implementation of people-centred SRM approaches supported by the Security Unit and Gaza-based FSAs. 

(iv) Brief Gaza project managers, UNOPS Jerusalem Director, and management team on the required or imposed security measures during planning and implementation of operations, supported by the Security Unit and Gaza-based FSAs. 

(v) Function as a team with the UNOPS security team in Gaza and Jerusalem and maintain close relations with UNDSS and assist in providing information and support on issues related to UNOPS.

D. Partnership Development 

• Under the overall guidance of the Director, in collaboration with Partnership Advisors at regional and Jerusalem levels and Head of Programme, identify new engagement and programming opportunities and support the development of UNOPS interventions on the ground; 

• Provide strategic and technical guidance to identify scopes, beneficiaries, stakeholders and partners for proposed interventions.

E. Personnel Management and Leadership 

• Facilitate the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team.

• Promote teamwork and collaboration. 

• Under the overall guidance of the Director and in close collaboration with the Head of Programme, provide personnel with direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

• Provide Gaza level input to the continuous assessment of the performance and effectiveness of the project implementation led by the Head of Programme, recommending changes and/or corrective actions in the team structure and/or financial operations to enhance and maintain effectiveness in the changing environment.

• Ensure that all personnel receive briefings upon initial arrival, and are kept informed of matters affecting their productivity, work and security.

F. Knowledge building and Knowledge sharing 

• Build and share knowledge with regards to the development and implementation of the projects, UNOPS operations, synthesis of lessons learnt/best practices, and sound contributions to UNOPS Communities of Practice and knowledge management initiatives.

• Encourage humanitarian partners to consider cross cutting issues and accountability /do no harm in all activities.

• Guide team’s collection of feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.

• Provide guidance and on-the-job training to ensure work standards are achieved, both in terms of quality and quantity of inputs/outputs processed.

a. Education 

• Advanced university degree (Master degree or equivalent) preferably in political science, law, social science, international relations, public administration, business management or related fields.

• A first-level university degree in combination with an additional 7 years of relevant international experience; OR 

• Technical/Professional Diploma in combination with an additional 6 years of relevant, international and national experience.

b. Work Experience 

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in international humanitarian setting or similar positions in which 3 years of experience in a senior management or leadership role is required.

• Previous international experience in a very high/high risk environment is required, including in the Middle East region.

• Direct experience with the United Nations, including humanitarian coordination structures is required.

• Previous experience heading a field office in an emergency context is highly desirable.

• Previous experience in liaising with local stakeholders including UN, NGOs, humanitarian clusters/ sectors, and de facto authorities in complex environments is an asset. 

• Ability to produce briefing notes, reports and proposals within a limited timeline is highly desired.

• Excellent communication skills, computer skills, including google suite, is hihgly desired.

c. Language Requirements

• English fluency in writing, spoken and reading- requirement

• Arabic fluency in writing, spoken and reading- desirable