Partnerships Specialist

The Partnerships Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing partnership and programme development plans for East African countries, focusing on building and maintaining effective relationships with governments, UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders to mobilize resources and expand the office's portfolio. The role also involves supervising Communications and Partnership personnel and ensuring alignment with UNOPS global and regional priorities to achieve sustainable development results.

Responsibilities

• Develop a comprehensive partnership development and communications plan in line with UNOPS Strategic Plan and Regional Strategies including country context, analysis of the regional and national development and humanitarian landscape, identification of main partners, strategic positioning of UNOPS, and growth pipeline opportunities for Tanzania.
• Ensure communications and visibility are strategically integrated into partnership development and positioning.
• Examine risks and opportunities presented by the strategic positioning of the 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 Project Managers and project personnel of the country offices covered by the office.
• Monitor and evaluate humanitarian and development trends and needs to identify areas of collaboration within the 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 UNOPS HQ and Regional Office on the development of framework partnership agreements.
• 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.
• Create and maintain engagement opportunities and engagement functionalities in alignment with UNOPS corporate guidelines and relevant platforms.
• Coordinate technical and financial requirements, and negotiate proposals to close new project opportunities.
• Draft agreements and/or contractual documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.
• Understand and clearly explain UNOPS pricing policy to partners.
• Contribute to the diversification of the Multi Country / Country Office in line with UNOPS strategic and Regional objectives, with a focus on other Portuguese speaking countries in Africa.
• Gather content for communications and outreach materials for any countries managed within the scope of the UNOPS office or by the Partnerships Group.
• Establish and further develop partnerships with UN agencies, international organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs and private sector organisations.
• Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Communications Officer, when required.
• Participate in and report on relevant inter-agency, donor and government coordination meetings including addressing project development issues in consultation with UNOPS project managers and technical experts.
• Provide strategic direction to communications personnel, ensuring communications activities, external messaging and visibility efforts are aligned with country priorities, partnership objectives and UNOPS positioning.
• Build a network of key partners, keeping abreast of evolving trends including the application of innovation to project and partnership development.
• Implement standards, tools and templates provided by HQ to effectively manage partnership and project development within the team.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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 a Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
• At least 5 years of experience in International Development including demonstrated experience in developing and executing partnership, communications and programme development plans.
• Experience in project development and proposal writing.
• Experience identifying, developing and/or negotiating partnership opportunities with IFIs/MDBs, including translating government and financing institution priorities into implementable projects and programmes.
• Experience establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international development organizations, governments, foundations, international NGOs or private sector organizations.
• Prior experience working in international organisations, international development, post-disaster and/or emergency contexts is required.
• Project and programme management experience is an asset.
• Experience providing strategic oversight or direction to communications, advocacy or visibility activities in support of organizational or partnership objectives is an asset.
• Fluent proficiency in English.

Skills

• Partnership Development
• Program Development
• Project Development
• Proposal Writing
• Negotiation with IFIs
• Partnership Management
• International Development
• Communications Strategies
• Advocacy Strategic Planning
• Visibility Activities
• Resource Mobilization
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Project Management
• Programme Management
• Supervisory Abilities
• UN Agency Collaboration
• Donor Relations
• Emergency Context Experience

Languages

English