Partnerships Specialist (Programme Development)

Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

• Infrastructure

• Procurement 

• Project Management (full service, back on track)

• HR and Transactional Services

• Grants Management 

• Technical and Advisory Services

Job Specific

Under the overall guidance of the Multi-Country Director and with day-to-day supervision from the Head of Programme, the Partnerships Specialist (Programme Development) is responsible for facilitating and supporting AUMCO’s efforts to engage with partners, contributing to the development and operationalization of new projects, programmes, and initiatives. This includes potential expansion into new countries where UNOPS aims to initiate or broaden operations, in collaboration with AUMCO’s partnership lead(s) and Country Managers, as appropriate.
This role is envisioned as a retainer, with tasks assigned by the supervisor based on prior agreements regarding expectations and applicable days required to meet requirements.

Partnership & Programme Development:

• Develop solutions, in collaboration with AUMCO’s management team, to address partners' needs and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, aligning with UNOPS, ECR and AUMCO strategies.

• Coordinate the development/drafting of concept notes, project proposals, and legal agreements, ensuring alignment with UNOPS and partner requirements/templates, and presenting them in a collaborative and professional manner.

• Analyse opportunities and risks during development, providing advice to management within the context and framework of proposed solutions.

• Support negotiations with partners and consultations with beneficiaries, facilitating the finalisation of concept notes and project proposals in a context-sensitive and results-oriented manner.

Monitoring and Research:

• Monitor and evaluate humanitarian and development trends to identify collaboration opportunities within the UNOPS mandate and existing capacity.

• Research events, publications, and announcements to track potential UNOPS interventions and identify trends towards opportunities assigned.

• Help engagements with national counterparts and international development actors to explore new opportunities for UNOPS/AUMCO, preparing for high-level engagements through briefing notes and talking points, as needed.

Strategy and Diversification:

• Provide inputs and advice to facilitate the finalisation and delivery of relevant business strategies/plans.

• Assist in maintaining oneUNOPS opportunities and engagement functionalities in alignment with UNOPS corporate guidelines.

• Contribute to the diversification of the Multi-Country office in line with UNOPS strategic and AUMCO objectives, including engagement in UNCT/UNSDCF processes.

Networking:

• Help build a network of key partners, staying informed about evolving trends (social, economic, and political), and exploring innovative approaches to project and partnership development.

Miscellaneous:

• Undertake other relevant tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

• A Master’s degree preferably in the field of Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Health, International Development, Engineering, Political Science 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 5 years of experience in an international development including demonstrated experience in:

1. Developing and contextualizing/drafting projects and/or programmes in support of developing countries.
2. Managing the inception and/or delivery of such projects and/or programmes.
3. Working/collaborating with partners such as the EU, USAID, UN organisations and/or national governments. 

• Familiarity with UNOPS and/or the ECR region are highly desired.

• Full working knowledge of English. 
• Fluency in one or more additional official UN languages, in particular Russian, is an advantage.

• Full-time open-ended (no end date) contract
• Short-term / part-time opportunities or Retainer on home-based.

• 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.