Partnerships Advisor (Retainer)

On 24 February 2022, the military of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with strikes across the territory of Ukraine. Since then, Russia’s invasion imposes a severe humanitarian and socio-economic toll, global energy and food crisis, large-scale destruction of the country's infrastructure, and disruptions in the provision of critical services and degradation of social fabrics and communities’ ties, triggering one of the world’s most significant forced displacements. 

Severe attacks on energy and critical infrastructure facilities leave millions of people without electricity, water or heating supply, struggling to access water, food, health services, materials to repair homes, among others. The continued attacks cause substantial damage to the country’s economy and agricultural production, and also affect the poorest countries worldwide.

UNOPS support to partners spans the humanitarian-development nexus from emergency response to building back better, across the housing, health, education, transport, energy and mine action sectors, through infrastructure, procurement and technical assistance / project management interventions, with the ultimate aim of supporting the country on its EU accession and in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Alliance building, networking and advocacy. 

2. Knowledge management and innovation.

3. The key purpose of the engagement is to support the Country Director Ukraine to create, expand and sustain a partnership ecosystem that is relevant for both UNOPS and UNOPS' Ukrainian partners.
   The partnership ecosystem can support:

   • Idea creation and concept development, 

   • Implementation of a triangulation model with UNOPS Poland, UNOPS Ukraine, UN Global Compact Network Poland, 

   • Coordination from the Polish side and cooperation with the private sector, especially funding, products or services from the private sector needed to stabilise, rebuild and develop Ukraine.

   • Coordination of potential donors operating from Poland.

   • Coordination of potential donors from the private sector, through UN Global Compact Networks or directly,

   • Source partnership opportunities for Ukrainian engagement - with or without direct UNOPS involvement.

   • Source financing for action in Ukraine - with UNOPS involvement where the value proposition is clear. 

4. Provide advice on innovation - covering both SDG-based interventions and SDG-based financing.

5. Act as key focal point for UNOPS in the establishment of a Host Country Agreement in Poland and any further legal agreements and frameworks as required to establish UNOPS Poland, 

6. Build and strengthen partnerships with UN agencies, international organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs and private sector organisations in Poland to diversify opportunities,

7. Establish and strengthen informal and formal linkages between UN Global Compact and UN Global Compact Network Poland,

8. On behalf of the Ukraine Country Director, 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.

9. Lead on the building of a network of key partners, keeping abreast of evolving trends (social, economic, and political), including the application of innovation to project and partnership development.

10. Advise and support advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the UNOPS Communications Officer,

11. Represent UNOPS in specific events, meetings and processes, especially in Poland. 

12. Proven SDG-related development experience at the senior management level. 

13. Proven operational development knowledge from Ukraine and Poland.

• An Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) is required
• A Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of Master 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.