Partnerships Advisor

Job categories Partnerships

Vacancy code VA/2024/B5009/27909

Level ICS-11

Department/office GPO, GPOOD, Office of the Director

Duty station New York , United States of America

Contract type Fixed Term

Contract level P4

Duration One (1) year with possibility of extension based on performance and funds availability

Application period 08-Apr-2024 to 22-Apr-2024

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Partnerships development, business acquisition and growth, which include the following responsibilities:

• Coordinate the development  of a new GPO partnership, business development and communication strategy 2026 - 2029, as well as support annual business plans;
• Coordinate implementation of the partnership, business development and communication strategy;
• Ensure partnership opportunities are coordinated across GPO, including by leading GPO partnership coordination meetings and joining Geneva and NYPO partnership coordination meetings;
• Support engagement of the GPO Director of Geneva and NYPO offices during high level meetings, in close collaboration with Geneva and NYPO offices; Help position GPO in key events, secure speaking slots, side events, provide information and strategic advice; Facilitate office (including  hosted engagements) involvement in such events; develop briefs and talking lines for the GPO Director;
• Undertake donor and partner mapping exercise covering both the development and humanitarian landscape;
• Advise the GPO Director, Senior Management Team, NYPO and GVA partnership and communication colleagues on the possibilities for UNOPS strategic positioning, vis-à-vis the potential partners;
• Prepare substantive briefs on specific partners, UNOPS strategic positioning, partnership opportunities and capacity statements;
• Establish working relationships with key potential partners and attend relevant meetings to position UNOPS as a partner of choice;
• Develop high specification presentations and other communications and visibility materials to position UNOPS value proposition with prospective partners and influential networks;
• Manage and coordinate agreement negotiations, drafting of project proposals, budget and other partnership and programme development documents;
• Maintain regular communication with the Geneva and NYPO partnership colleagues, Corporate Partnership Group (PLG) in UNOPS HQ in Copenhagen and NYBER in UNOPS NY;
• Collaborate with relevant partnerships and programme personnel at the country, regional and UNOPS HQ level to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners.

2. Knowledge management, communication,  innovation and technical support, including the following responsibilities:

• Develop and provide communication about the GPO portfolio to the rest of UNOPS, including the other regions and headquarters units, to increase understanding and awareness; Facilitate information sharing and seek synergies, across GPO portfolios; 
• Ensure GPO external communication is well coordinated, in line with HQ recommendations and guidance;
• Ensure capacity building in terms of communications capacity and partnerships across GPO;
• Assess and keep abreast of the emerging trends in the development, peace and humanitarian spheres in GPO as relates to UNOPS services;
• Identify, synthesize, advise and disseminate best practices and lessons learnt as related to partnership, communications and programme development;
• Implement standards, tools and templates provided by PLG and CG to build and nurture strategic partnerships, related communications and programme development within GPO effectively;
• Contribute to UNOPS capacity development as related to partnerships, including promoting learning, coaching and mentoring the team members, field staff on UNOPS policy and practices for effective management of partnerships;
• Contribute to policy level issues related to partnerships, positioning and communications  for GPO;
• Participate in, conduct the relevant training for the operations/projects personnel, and participate in field missions;
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• GPO helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons are disseminated between projects across the entire region.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other UNOPS Regional Partnerships/ Communications Advisors.

3. Efficient partner relationships and organizational work ethics and culture, including the following responsibilities:

• Actively engage with partners to solicit feedback and gauge their satisfaction with UNOPS services;
• Coordinate implementation of partner surveys within GPO as appropriate.
• Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with PLG when required.
• Actively engage with internal stakeholders.
• Supervise, coordinate and steer the work of partnerships and communication specialists in Geneva and NYPO
• Demonstrate professional and personal ethics, transparency and openness.
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent preferably in Business Administration, Political Science, International Relations, International Development, Social Sciences or a related discipline is required.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s) in combination with required qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Required experience:

• At least seven (7) years of relevant experience in an international development context combining the following: 

1. Strategy development and execution
2. In-depth knowledge of development issues and current donor and sectoral trends, with emphasis on a deep understanding of the UN system of organizations, the partner/donor landscape;
3. Experience in dealing and negotiating with external stakeholders;

Desirable: (The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply)

• In-depth knowledge of development issues and current donor and sectoral trends, with emphasis on International Financing Institutions would be an asset;
• Knowledge of GPO partner/donor landscape as well as issues and  challenges relevant to GPO portfolios, would be desirable;
• Previous experience within the UN system is an asset

Language:

• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency/working knowledge of another UN language is an asset