Partnerships Development Specialist (readvertisement)

UNOPS South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across  North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines.  EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: SEMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia,  EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Lao PDR, EAPMCO Philippines and EAPMCO Cambodia.

In 2023, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 75 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.  

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself. 

UNOPS in Indonesia

UNOPS established its operations in Indonesia in 2005 in response to the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004. Since then, UNOPS Indonesia has delivered more than $200 million in projects, focusing on infrastructure, fund management, and capacity building related to environmental protection, strengthening health systems and improving post-disaster management and recovery.  Other UNOPS activities in Indonesia are related to strengthening economic resilience post-COVID-19, promotion of sustainable energy solutions, transactional services to other UN agencies and procurement of medical items. UNOPS projects in Indonesia  contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, SDG 13 on climate action, SDG 15 on protecting life on land, SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy and SDG 3 on good health and well-being. 

Reporting to the Head of Partnerships, the incumbent will be responsible for the identification, negotiation and formulation of new engagements and developments for UNOPS to support the Governments of Indonesia and Timor-Leste and more broadly across the MCO. The role will also have a secondary reporting line to the Indonesia Country Manager. 

The Partnerships Development Specialist will act as an interface between UNOPS and the Government of both Indonesia and Timor-Leste, for a wide range of initiatives in the areas of infrastructure, innovation, environmental management and health. This will require expertise in relationship building and the provision of advice in the management and direction of strategic approaches when engaging with senior Government counterparts. The incumbent will also assist the coordination of business development activities with UNOPS, Government stakeholders, project development consultants and UNOPS internal teams. 

As is deemed required, the position may also work to identify new engagements across the Pacific and broader countries of operation under EAPMCO. 

The incumbent will lead and coordinate several business development activities in Indonesia and Timor Leste and will support EAPMCO in the identification of potential collaboration opportunities with Governments and funding partners. Specific duties and responsibilities include the following:

EAPMCO Business Development and outreach:

• Support EAPMCO in the implementation of the Hub’s business development strategy with a focus on Indonesia, Timor Leste and the Pacific, building on current ongoing activities and programmes.

• Support EAPMCO in promoting high visibility of UNOPS’ activities as per the EAPMCO communications strategy, in collaboration with UNOPS communications team.

Project identification:

• Contribute on the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects and programs and draft concept notes, proposals and project briefs for discussions with partners.

• Provide in-depth evaluation of economic, political, social and other relevant reports to assess potential business opportunities and if needed submit analytical reports on outcome and proposals for action.

• Identify potential markets and partners to pursue new/repeat business opportunities and ensure programme growth.

Knowledge management:

• Collect, analyse and keep abreast of humanitarian and development trends and needs in Indonesia to identify areas of collaboration within UNOPS’ mandate.

• Contribute to the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximize performance and sustain achievements in project development.

• Analyse markets for business development intelligence and opportunities (facilitate assessments of partner needs, UNOPS comparative advantages, and partner survey analysis, among others).

• Support the development and distribution of marketing, communication and partner relationship management materials.

Partnerships development (Indonesia, Timor-Leste and the Pacific) 

• Develop, build and strengthen strategic partnerships, identify and pursue business opportunities as per the agreed work plan. Establish and maintain relations with Indonesia and Timor Leste based clients, government departments and donors.

• Network and solidify relationships between UNOPS and the Governments of Indonesia, Timor-Leste and the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) and advise UNOPS senior management on opportunities for engagement;

• Act as a key resource and interface between UNOPS and the Governments of Indonesia, Timore-Leste and the PSIDS.

• Develop approaches and provide advice on establishing new partnerships both in Indonesia and the Pacific.

• Maintains close coordination of business development/external relations activities with relevant organizational stakeholders.

• Creation and harmonisation of partnerships with governments, country and donors’ offices, and IFI’s to identify and pursue business opportunities within UNOPS geographic and thematic scope, initiating the necessary associated arrangements;

• Support UNOPS in negotiating the most cost-effective and mutually beneficial terms for UNOPS services with prospective clients and partners.

• Develop and manage partner relationship management intelligence.

• Develop and lead on concept notes, proposals, MoUs and budget creation. 

• Lead on the process of reviewing proposals and legal agreements internally within UNOPS

• Assist partners in adapting/formulating project ideas/project proposals in accordance with UNOPS business patterns and practices.

• Active interaction with clients to solicit feedback and gauge client satisfaction.

• Represent UNOPS in negotiations, meetings and follow-up with donors, governments, clients and others, including calculating and justifying the cost of UNOPS services.

• Develop and implement strategies and procedures for improving client relations and services; actively pursue business development opportunities.

• Demonstration of professional and personal ethics, transparency and openness to encourage respect and similar behaviour from colleagues.

EAPMCO Coordination

• Close interaction with unit colleagues and other staff to share information and knowledge; and provide proactive support and follow-up in building and maintaining effective partner relations.

• Collaborate with the UNOPS EAPMCO Business Development team in Thailand, Indonesia and Pacific as necessary.

• Perform other duties as required in the framework of the incumbent’s responsibilities with the aim of supporting EAPMCO’s expansion in Indonesia.

Other duties as directed by the Head of Partnerships as the incumbent’s primary supervisor and with the Indonesia Country Manager to ensure support to EAPMCO’s outreach and resource mobilization activities. 

Expected period of Assignment:

The Specialist shall perform services on a full time basis. The duration for these services is 12 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and financial availability.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The performance of the Partnerships Development Specialist will be reviewed by the Head of Partnerships.

• Minimum advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent), preferably in International Relations, Public Relations, Public Policy, International Development, engineering, or related field.
• First level University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) with two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years of relevant work experience in business development, project or programme management development and or related field in  development cooperation sector in combination with the advanced university degree is required. 
• Ability to engage with other UN agencies, donors and development stakeholders and forage productive working relations required
• Experience coordinating work between different sectors and stakeholders, including Governments, international financial institutions, UN and other development partners required
• Ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with senior officials in line ministries desirable

 Language:

• Full working knowledge (Fluency) in Bahasa Indonesia and English required. 
• Knowledge of Tetum is an asset.

1. Contract type: LICA
2. Contract level: ICS 10 / LICA-10
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

• 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.