Partnerships Advisor

Sri Lanka

UNOPS has supported Sri Lanka’s development since 1998, expanding operations in 2005 to support the post-tsunami response and reconstruction process. Within the organization’s mandate in project management, infrastructure, and procurement, UNOPS Sri Lanka implements customized socio-economic development projects that benefit vulnerable people and develop national capacities. Achievements in Sri Lanka include the development of sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, procurement services & capacity building, and project management in education, fisheries, roads, health, water supply systems; flood control and sanitation, and integrated solid waste management sectors. UNOPS works closely with Government counterparts and communities to ensure increased ownership, sustainability, and accountability of Projects. 

UNOPS Sri Lanka facilitated over $22 million worth of procurement of COVID-19 protection equipment and services in partnership with the World Bank, the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund. Currently, UNOPS is conducting about $5 million pharmaceutical procurement to strengthen the  Sri Lanka health system and support the people in need.

The Partnerships Advisor is the senior Partnerships Development Lead for the South Asia Multi-Country Office managing and advising other partnerships officers and/or adjacent roles.

Reporting to and under the general guidance of the South Asia Multi-Country Office Director, the Partnerships Advisor is a member of the Office Senior Management Team and responsible for developing and implementing the sub-regional partnerships development strategy and donor and client coordination activities. 

The Partnerships Advisor provides situation analyses, donor mapping and programme development in collaboration with UNOPS’s existing and potential partners, including national governments, the UN System, donors and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). In addition, they liaise with these and other relevant stakeholders to identify partnership opportunities for UNOPS, based on the organization’s mandate and role as part of the UN system.

1. Integrated Partnerships Development Strategy
2. Partnerships Development and Stakeholder Engagement
3. Partner Relations and Inter-Agency Collaboration
4. Monitoring and Reporting
5. Project Identification, Formulation and Support for Project Offices
6. Team/ Unit Leadership
7. Knowledge Management and Innovation

1. Integrated Partnerships Development Strategy

• 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 7 years of progressive experience in partnerships development, resource mobilization, and donor and external relations within international development, post-disaster and/or emergency / humanitarian contexts, including accountabilities related to: development and execution of partnerships and programme development plans, project development and proposal writing, and acquisition of projects.

• Project and programme management experience is an asset.

• Inter-agency coordination experience (within the UN System) is required.

• Knowledge of infrastructure, project management and/or procurement projects is desirable.

• Full working knowledge of English is essential. 

• Fluency in one or more additional official UNOPS languages is an advantage.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• 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.

• 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. 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.