Partnership Advisor (Local Consultant)

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.

Background Information – Lao PDR

Background Information - Job-specific

1. Strategic positioning of UNOPS and business development.
2. Explore business development opportunities by identifying the interests / priorities of partners and potential innovative businesses.
3. Develop or implement the partnership strategies for the office managed by Cambodia Multi Country Office.
4. Contributing to maintain a robust and diverse pipeline of project opportunities, which leads to sustainable growth of the UNOPS’ presence and strengthens the achievements of UNOPS management results and the fulfillment of its mandate. 
5. Facilitate external relations with donors, relevant ministries and Government partners.

• 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 specialties identified, as well as grow a pipeline opportunities for all countries within scope of Cambodia Multi Country Office (MCO). 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 MCO 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 hub 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 MCO Director, Regional Office and UNOPS HQ on the development of framework partnership agreements that can increase opportunities at the regional level.
• Chip in to the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects and programs and draft concept notes and project document briefs for discussion with partners.
• Maintain the system 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.
• Chip in to the diversification of the MCO in line with UNOPS strategic and Regional objectives.
• In coordination with the Communications and Reporting personnel, when available, gather content for communications and outreach materials for any countries managed by the hub.

3. Representation and inter-agency partnership

• Establish partnerships with UN agencies, international organizations, governments, foundations, international NGOs and private sector organizations to diversify project opportunities within the Operational Hub.
• Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Communications Officer, when required.
• On behalf of the MCO Director and/or 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, 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 countries under MCO Cambodia 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 maximize 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. 

Impact of Results 

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Partnerships Advisor (Consultant) impacts on the performance of the MCO by maintaining a robust and diverse pipeline of project opportunities, which leads to sustainable growth and strengthens the achievements of UNOPS management results and the fulfillment of its mandate. 

• A minimum of seven year experience in one or the combination  of the following areas: international business development, project development, project management, strategic relationships,  finance management, management of infrastructure funds, public–private partnership (PPP) and M&E.
• Experience in innovative development programs and financing mechanisms is an asset.
• Experience in working with a range of stakeholders and donors is desirable.
• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.
• Experience working with Government Ministries is an asset.
• Ability to work with government donors and a network of development partners.

• Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA) 
• Contract level: LICA 11 / ICS 11
• Contract duration: Daily Retainer/consultant, the estimated number of working days is 100 per year.
• Duty station: Vientiane, Lao PDR. Vientiane is a family duty station.

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.