Partnerships Lead

FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian, and development projects.  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. 

New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.  

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York.  The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries. 

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement the project activities for UN Global Pulse. 

UN Global Pulse

UN Global Pulse is the Secretary General’s Innovation Lab. We work at the intersection of innovation and the human sciences to inform, inspire, and strengthen the ability of the United Nations family and those it serves to anticipate, respond and adapt to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The result of this role will be a fully functioning, effective system and management process in place which will help to deliver and implement UN Global Pulse’s Partnerships Strategy.

The incumbent will support and directly contribute to:

 The incumbent will be primarily accountable to the leadership of UN Global Pulse, including the Global Capabilities Hub in Helsinki and will also report to senior leadership. In the first year, the focus of the role will be heavily weighted to defining and embedding internal processes and management systems as well as beginning to identify and develop a prospect pipeline. Beyond the first year the focus of the role will shift to more external engagement and partnership development, while maintaining and managing internal processes and systems and ensuring all staff are equipped to leverage partnerships within their individual work streams.

This role will ensure the implementation of the Partnerships Strategy and associated internal management processes are aligned across the UN Global Pulse Network and will identify internal training/capacity building needs in support of the implementation of the Partnership Strategy. The incumbent will ensure the outputs and outcomes of the role are aligned with and support UN Global Pulse’s wider work on UN 2.0 including innovation, data, futures and foresight, behavioural science and digital transformation.

The incumbent will continuously monitor needs, trends and developments in partnerships and resource mobilisation for UN Global Pulse and provide strategic advice, direction, revision, and recommendations for action across the Network and UN senior management. 

The establishment, effective management and operation of Global Pulse’s Partnerships Strategy will directly result in:

• An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) preferably in International Relations, Business Administration, Communications, or other related field to the post description with five (5) years of relevant experience is required.
• A first level university degree (undergraduate, Bachelor's, or equivalent) with seven (7) years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Required:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in partnerships and/or resource mobilization.
• Experience with private sector fundraising in a UN or humanitarian setting.
• Experience in developing and implementing strategic private sector fundraising plans, including budget management.

• Experience in international philanthropic partnerships in the UN context.
• Experience with managing projects with a variety of stakeholders.
• Experience in establishing and implementing partnership strategies and plans in a UN context.
• Experience in developing and managing partnership databases and tracking systems.

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.
• Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

• Contract type: Staff
• Contract level: P3
• Contract duration: Fixed-term staff contracts - 'One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability'

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• 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.
• This position will be based in Helsinki, Finland which is a family duty Station.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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 ( they take around 4 hours to complete)  in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.