Partnerships Specialist

The Partnerships Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing the partnership development plan and supporting communications plans for Mozambique and other Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa. The role focuses on building and maintaining effective relationships with governments, UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders to mobilize resources, expand the office's portfolio, and strengthen UNOPS positioning as a reliable development partner.

Responsibilities

• Develop a comprehensive partnership development and communications plan aligned with UNOPS Strategic Plan and Regional Strategies.
• Ensure communications and visibility are integrated into partnership development and positioning.
• Examine risks and opportunities related to the strategic positioning of the Mozambique Country office and propose responses.
• Coordinate with Partnerships personnel at local, liaison and HQ levels and project managers to ensure aligned partner interactions.
• Monitor and evaluate humanitarian and development trends to identify collaboration areas within UNOPS mandate.
• Research events and publications to track opportunities for UNOPS interventions and identify trends.
• Provide advice and feedback on framework partnership agreements to increase regional opportunities.
• Contribute to identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects and programmes and draft concept notes and project briefs.
• Create and maintain engagement opportunities in alignment with UNOPS corporate guidelines.
• Coordinate technical and financial requirements and negotiate proposals to close new project opportunities.
• Draft agreements and contractual documents for new projects.
• Explain UNOPS pricing policy to partners.
• Contribute to diversification of the Multi Country / Country Office focusing on Portuguese speaking countries in Africa.
• Gather content for communications and outreach materials in coordination with Communications personnel.
• Establish and develop partnerships with UN agencies, international organisations, governments, foundations, NGOs and private sector organisations.
• Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with Communications Officer.
• Participate in inter-agency, donor and government coordination meetings and UN common planning and programming processes.
• Provide strategic direction to communications personnel ensuring alignment with country priorities and partnership objectives.
• Build a network of key partners and keep abreast of evolving trends including innovation in project and partnership development.
• Implement standards, tools and templates to manage partnership and project development effectively.
• Contribute to research, development and implementation of best practices and innovative approaches to maximize performance.
• Help build partnerships capacity and negotiation skills among project managers.
• Contribute to dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned.
• Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure relevance.

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.
• Project and programme management experience is an asset.
• Experience establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international development organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs or private sector organisations.
• 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 is required.
• Fluent proficiency in Portuguese is desirable.

Skills

• Partnership Development
• Creative Communications Planning
• Program Development
• Project Development
• Proposal Writing
• Negotiation with Partners
• International Development
• Project Management
• Programme Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Strategic Communications
• Advocacy Strategic Planning
• Resource Mobilization
• UN Agency Partnerships
• Donor Relations
• Government Relations

Languages

English, Portuguese