Partnerships Specialist

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) was set up in August 2019 as a part of the UNOPS Europe & Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in parts of the Western Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

• Infrastructure

• Procurement

• Project Management

• HR and Transactional Services

• Grants Management

• Technical and Advisory Services

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Austria Multi Country Office Director and in close coordination with the management team, Regional Office and the Partnerships Group, the Partnerships Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing the partnership and programme development plan for the offices and countries managed by the Multi Country Office. This may also include new countries where UNOPS is planning to initiate or broaden operations, with a geographic focus primarily on Central Asia, Turkey and the South Caucasus.

The incumbent will be expected to undertake regular monitoring, planning and management support missions and deployments across the sub-region, which may amount up to around 50 percent of the assignment.

Functional Responsibilities

1.Partnership and programme development planning

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 growing pipeline opportunities for all countries in scope of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office. Ensure plan reflects in-house capacity, typology of projects and the
internal tools and knowledge resources.
● Examine risks and opportunities presented by the strategic positioning of the Multi Country / Country office and propose appropriate responses to ensure sustainable growth.
● Coordinate and collaborate with relevant Partnerships personnel at local, liaison and HQ level, as well as managers, project managers and personnel of the business units/country offices covered by the office, to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners.

Develop opportunities

● Monitor and evaluate humanitarian and development trends and needs to identify areas of collaboration within UNOPS mandate and existing capacity.
● Research events, publications and announcements, to track and screen opportunities for possible UNOPS interventions and identify trends that will drive partnership opportunities.
● Provide advice and feedback to management, UNOPS HQ and Regional Office on the development of framework partnership agreements that can increase opportunities at the sub-regional and regional levels.
● 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, in consultation with the management team, in particular the heads of units/offices, PMO and Head of Support Services.
● Create and maintain oneUNOPS opportunities and engagement functionalities in alignment with UNOPS corporate guidelines, in collaboration with the PMO.
● Work with the management team, in particular the heads of units/offices, Head of Support Services and the PMO, and relevant units to develop technical and financial requirements, and help the Director negotiate proposals to close new project opportunities.
● Drafts agreements and/or project/contractual documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects for the review of the Head of Support Services and PMO prior to Director’s approval.
● In coordination with the communications resources, when available, gather content for communications and outreach materials for any countries managed within the scope of the office.

Representation and inter-agency partnership

● Establish and further develop partnerships with UN agencies, international organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs and private sector organisations to diversify project opportunities within the Multi Country Office.
● Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities, when required.
● 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, UNSDCF, response plans, etc.
● 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.

Knowledge management and innovation.

Implement standards, tools and templates provided by the HQ and regional office to effectively manage partnership and project development within the team to enhance/maintain UNOPS effectiveness as a provider of project services for sustainable results.
● Contribute to the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximise performance and sustain achievements in project and partnership development.
● Help build partnerships capacity and negotiation skills among project managers
● Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building within project and partnership development.
● Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure its relevance to day-to-day operations.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education
A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, Political Science, Communications or International Relations.
A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience
At least 5 years of experience in an international development, including:
● Developing and executing partnerships, as well as programme development;
● Project development and proposal writing;
● Acquisition of new business/projects.
Project and programme management experience is an asset.
Experience in establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international development organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs or private sector organisations highly desired.

Language Requirements:
Full working knowledge of English and Russian is essential.
Fluency in Turkish is an advantage.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: IICA

Contract level: IICA 2
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-of…

Competencies

Strategic perspective: Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Integrity and inclusion: Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Leading self and others: Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as a positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Partnering: Demonstrates an understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Results orientation: Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Agility: Open to change and flexible in a fast-paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Solution Focused: Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Effective Communication: Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.