Partnerships Advisor [IFIs] - Lumpsum contract

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian, and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors, and United Nations organizations. 

New York Portfolio Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York.  The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries. 

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) to implement the project activities for the Partnership Facility on behalf of the PBSO.  

The Partnership Facility, established under the Peacebuilding Fund in 2019, seeks to advance the strategic partnership between the UN and the World Bank as well as other IFIs, in crisis affected situations through small grants to UN entities for dedicated capacities co-located between UN, WB or other IFIs as well as shared analyses, data, and analytical processes, including deep dives, to contribute towards establishing a common and shared understanding of multidimensional risks and root causes of fragility and conflict and identify and address gaps in planning, resources allocation, and programming, amongst UN and IFI country leadership.

Spotlight Initiative is a flagship programme of the UN Secretary-General and a demonstration fund for the Development Reform of the United Nations. Spotlight Initiative represents one of the largest targeted efforts to end all forms of violence against women and girls. Unique to the Initiative is a whole-of-society approach that places ending gender-based violence at the heart of national development priorities and gives local communities the tools they need to address violence in their specific context. The model simultaneously works to address laws and policies, strengthen institutions and data collection, promote gender-equitable attitudes and provide quality services for survivors of violence and their families. Perhaps most critically, Spotlight Initiative invests deeply in a new way of partnering with civil society, including peacebuilding actors, and women’s movements at every level, strengthening transformative results, sustainability, and civic space.

In Spotlight Initiative’s second phase (launched in early 2024), the initiative is expanding its partnerships to include a number of different funding partners, including bilateral actors, multilaterals (including international financial institutions), and the private sector, among others. Spotlight Initiative has had positive discussions with the World Bank, building on the existing "Troika” format between the European Union International Partnerships Commissioner, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, and the World Bank Managing Director.

The primary purpose of the consultancy is to support the engagement of Spotlight Initiative with the World Bank by developing a World Bank - Spotlight Initiative Engagement Strategy, including specific elements aimed at strengthening collaboration on Women, Peace, and Security in FCV settings. This includes addressing gendered dynamics of conflict especially as related to GBV, women’s protection and meaningful participation. This also includes a logical framework, budget (for planned activities for future resource planning), and a timeline to deliver on the activities, to be summarized in a Strategy Document and a PowerPoint slide deck.  

In addition, the consultant will develop a strategy for engaging other IFIs, including regional development banks. This strategy will comprise an initial mapping of IFIs, IFI priorities, and potential entry points for Spotlight Initiative to engage with IFIs, primarily through engagement at HQ level, but also providing strategic advice at country and regional levels (including in FCV settings) to aid in the development of new programmes. 

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Gender Studies, Political Science, International Development, International Relations, Development Economics, Public Administration or any other relevant field
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.