Partnerships & Infrastructure Specialist

General Background

UNOPS has been present in Bangladesh since 2003, initially providing operational support program focusing on police reforms and disaster management. The presence has significantly grown since then with UNOPS being appointed by DFID as the Fund Manager for the Strengthening Humanitarian Preparedness and Response Fund (SHPR) in Bangladesh. This role has expanded rapidly with the advent of the Rohingya crisis and provision of funds by DFID through SHPR to support the Rohingya response efforts.  In addition, UNOPS has been selected as one of the implementing partners for the National Resilience Program (NRP) to work with Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to improve their Asset Management Systems and ability to deliver sustainable resilient infrastructure.

UNOPS in Bangladesh has developed a close working relationship with LGED on the back of the NRP. The Chief Engineer has now requested support from UNOPS to help LGED improve the quality of the infrastructure developed by LGED. In the recent monsoon season, significant damage was caused to the infrastructure built by LGED which has elicited scrutiny from the Prime Minister as to the quality of the infrastructure constructed by LGED. In order to engage effectively with LGED and develop role for UNOPS in improving the quality of LGEDs infrastructure, the office requires a senior engineer to engage with LGED. Given that LGED is a very technical agency delivering USD$2 billion worth of infrastructure annually (70% GoB funded 30% Donor funded) UNOPS will have to demonstrate a high degree of technical skill and competency when engaging with LGED to have any credibility. This presents a very good opportunity for UNOPS to establish LGED as a key government partner in Bangladesh, to be known to be recognized and to be a resource to LGED.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

UNOPS has also been part of a preliminary study undertaken jointly by various UN agencies to determine the impact of the Rohingya influx on the host community of Cox Bazaar.  UNOPS has led the infrastructure component of these assessments. The initial work now needs to be continued and for UNOPS to actively contribute to and be part of the further development of specific strategies and interventions to reduce the impact of the crisis on the host community. UNOPS role would be to look specifically at the infrastructure component building on the work already done. UNOPS has also been invited to participate in the engineering platform established by WFP, UNHCR and IOM to coordinate infrastructure activities in the camps themselves. In order to engage effectively at this level, UNOPS must have a senior experienced person who has the knowledge and experience to give UNOPS credibility in this forum.

The World Bank has approached UNOPS in order to understand our experience and expertise in labor based infrastructure construction. The Bank is providing significant funding (approx. USD $100m) for infrastructure works in Cox Bazaar and the camps. UNOPS needs to actively pursue this opportunity with the bank who are seeking advice and support on how to deliver infrastructure in complex environments such as the Rohingya camps. This will require a senior experienced person in order to have credibility with the bank, to provide the appropriate advice and support and position UNOPS to be an integral part of this project.

1.       Partnership and programme development planning (with focus on infrastructure development)

• Develop a comprehensive partnership and programme development 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 in the potential operational niches identified, as well as grow a pipeline opportunities for  the 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 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 Office to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners.

2.       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 UNOPS HQ and Regional Office on the development of framework partnership agreements that can increase opportunities at the regional level.
• Contribute to the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects and programs and draft concept notes and project briefs for discussion with partners.
• Maintain the LEADS system and the CRM functionality in alignment with UNOPS corporate guidelines.
• Coordinate technical and financial requirements, and negotiate proposals to close new project opportunities.
• Drafts 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 Country Office in line with UNOPS strategic and regional objectives, which includes a development of the infrastructure portfolio.
• In coordination with Communications and Reporting personnel, gather content for communications and outreach materials.

• Establish and maintain partnerships with UN agencies, international organizations, governments, foundations, international NGOs and private sector organizations to diversify project opportunities within the Country Office.
• Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Head of Programme when required.
• On behalf of the Head of Programme, 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, UNDAF, response plans, etc.
• Build a network of key partners and stakeholders, keeping abreast of evolving trends (social, economic, and political), including the application of innovation to project and partnership development.

4.       Knowledge management and innovation

• Implement standards, tools and templates provided by HQ to effectively manage partnership and project development within the Country Office 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 within the organisation.
• Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure its relevance to day-to-day operations.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results achieved by the Partnerships & Infrastructure Specialist impacts on the performance of the Country Office by maintaining a robust and diverse pipeline of project opportunities, which leads to sustainable growth of the Country Office and strengthens the achievements of UNOPS management results and the fulfilment of its mandate.

Education 

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, International Development, Engineering, Architecture, Communications or International Relations in required.
• A Bachelor’s degree in above subjects with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree.

Work Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in partnership and infrastructure project development/implementation such as:

1. Developing and executing partnership and programme development plans;
2. Infrastructure Project development and proposal writing;
3. Acquisition of projects; and
4. Establishing partnerships and strategic networks with UN agencies, governments, foundations, international NGOs or private sector organizations.

• Full competency in the usage of computers and office software packages is required.
• Prior experience working in project and programme management, international organizations, international development, post-disaster and/or emergency contexts is desirable.
• Previous experience with UNOPS preferred

• Prince2 and MSP certification an advantage

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: IICA3
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

• 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.
• 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
• 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.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.