Director, Partnerships and Liaisons Group

This role is located in the Partnerships and Liaison Group (PLG) and reports to the Director, Regional Portfolios. PLG has the mandate to support:
(1) the development and expansion of new and existing partnerships, in collaboration with UNOPS headquarters groups, regions and countries; and
(2) the strengthening of UNOPS positioning across the United Nations System, Member States, intergovernmental, and inter-agency bodies as required. 
The Group creates and maintains strategies, policies, standards, tools and templates and facilitates training related to partnerships. PLG supports the Director, Regional Portfolios to operationalize approved partnerships strategies across UNOPS regions and countries. 

Summary of functions:

• Partnerships and Liaisons Group (PLG) leadership
• Alliance building, networking and advocacy for partnership and business development
• Advancement of Global Partnerships
• Knowledge management and innovation

1.       Partnerships and Liaisons Group (PLG) leadership

• Work with the Director, Regional Portfolios to support the organization to deepen and expand strategic engagement with global partners through the enhancement and implementation of partnership engagement strategies, with a view to being:  known as a solutions organization, recognized for the value of our services, and a leading resource to help our partners deliver their vision.
• In collaboration with the Regional Portfolios leadership team and other key partners, to establish annual objectives and targets, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services. 
• To monitor implementation, oversee progress toward annual objectives for PLG and take decisions to ensure the delivery of results as planned.
• To operate within the defined limits of authority on matters of Finance, Procurement and Human Resources and subject to any limits or conditions that may be imposed as per delegated authority. 
• To ensure the cost effective and appropriate use of resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework.
• To ensure effective planning, recruitment and development of a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity. 
• To promote teamwork and collaboration across the function.
• To foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• To champion gender parity, gender mainstreaming and diversity.

2.     Alliance building, networking and advocacy for partnership and business development

• To work with the Director, Regional Portfolios to strengthen UNOPS positioning and its relevance with key partners (existing and potential).
• To support the Director, Regional Portfolios and other senior leaders, to implement UNOPS strategic plan for matters related to the external positioning.
• To provide advice to the Director, Regional Portfolios on the further development and implementation of the partnership strategy, through the pursuit of project and program development.
• To provide advice and assistance to the Director Regional Portfolios, Regional Directors, Country Directors and Project Managers, in regards to partnering, including through field support missions, and provide continuous analysis and guidance on funding trends and opportunities.
• To build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, deep understanding of the decision making architecture of partners, listening, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management to develop opportunities and engagements with new partners.
• To support the Director, Regional Portfolios on matters related to new Framework Agreements, and/or MOUs with key partners and on the effective maintenance of existing ones.
• To work in close collaboration with UNOPS Regions and Country Offices on appropriate engagement modalities, including through targeted training, delegations, and events.
• At the request of the Director, Regional Portfolios, contribute to various global and HQ UNOPS initiatives, such as supporting business development and providing input to / advocating for strategic organizational initiatives.
• To provide strategic advice and support to the Director, Regional Portfolios on any other partnerships related matters.

3.       Advancement of Global Partnerships

• With the Director, Regional Portfolios, develop the UNOPS high level positioning strategy, targeting key member states and key UN stakeholders.
• Within the clear mandate, guidance and direction provided by the Director, Regional Portfolios and the Executive Office/relevant Headquarters units, undertake implementation activities related to the strategy and monitor its overall implementation, reporting to the Director, Regional Portfolios as required.
• To undertake public information and/or communication activities in collaboration with the Director, Regional Portfolios and Communications Group.
• To oversee the management of client relationships for New York based partners such as UN Secretariat and Agencies, Funds & Programmes (AFPs) and identify any risks to be raised to the Director, Regional Portfolios.
• To identify opportunities for UNOPS to develop partnerships with governments, UN Secretariat, New York based AFPs and funding sources in support of the regions and countries. 
• To support the Director, Regional Portfolios to represent UNOPS in relevant inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to promote the organization and identify potential areas for UNOPS partnership and engagement.

4.       Knowledge management and innovation

• To lead the sharing of knowledge related to key partners across the organization, including identification and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned, with a view of continuous improvement of our partner engagement in the field.
• To contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practices approaches.
• To support the planning, implementation and organization of capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.
• To share knowledge with peers in regional/country teams and other headquarters groups to ensure a corporate coordinated delivery of services and synergies.

Impact of results
Under the supervision of the Director of Regional Portfolios, this role will support the development and implementation of the UNOPS partnership strategy with key stakeholders and support the high level positioning of UNOPS among key Member States.  Key stakeholders may include existing and potential partners, Member States, multilateral development agencies, bi-lateral development agencies, NGOs, the private sector, foundations, and other non-profit organizations. The Director will build on existing partnerships and ensure that actions and initiatives undertaken support the long-term success of UNOPS as a self-financing UN organization that provides value generating services to our partners.  

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field is required.

• A minimum of 10 years of experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in international development, business development, operations and/or program management in a large international and/or corporate organization is required. 

• At least 3 years of senior leadership experience including supervising teams and managing budgets is required.  

• Strong record of accomplishment in developing and executing resource mobilization, partnerships or business development strategies, plans and initiatives.

• Experience in managing senior stakeholders (governments and others).

• Experience working at leadership level in or with the private sector.

• Exceptional listening skills and ability to communicate consistently, clearly and effectively with a broad range of stakeholders.

• Current deep stakeholder network aligned to a proportion of UNOPS current and potential key partners is desirable.

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of official UNOPS language is an asset

Contract type: IICA 
Contract level: IICA 4
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.
• Candidates might be contacted by an external recruitment firm which supports the selection process under strict confidential terms. 
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Contract modality is subject to change and eventually become an FTA appointment under exceptional consideration, yet to be determined.
• 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.