Partnership Specialist

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

UNMAS

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a division of the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNMAS is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly (RES/68/72) to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problem posed by a wide range of explosive hazards. Legislative mandates also recognize UNMAS technical expertise in responding to threats posed by unsecured and unsafe conventional weapons and ammunition stockpiles. As an office within DPKO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates. 

UNMAS Somalia as a component of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) In line with the UN’s strategic priorities, UNMAS Somalia works across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, supporting emergency response, enabling stabilization, and fostering resilience. Its partnerships with donors, UN agencies, Somali authorities, and implementing organizations are crucial to delivering impactful and sustainable mine action interventions. Strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders—including government counterparts, international partners, and private sector actors—is essential to advancing Somalia’s security and development objectives.

The Partnership Specialist will play a pivotal role in expanding and managing strategic partnerships to enhance resource mobilization, donor engagement, and advocacy efforts. The role will involve identifying funding opportunities, coordinating outreach initiatives, and ensuring alignment between UNMAS Somalia’s programme's objectives and partner priorities. By fostering strong relationships and leveraging cross-sectoral collaboration, the Partnership Specialist will contribute to the programme’s long-term sustainability and impact. 

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer, and in close coordination with the Head of Project Unit and Project Managers, the Partnerships Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing the partnership and programme development plan for the Somalia mine action programme.

1. Partnership and programme development planning

2. Development and follow up of partnership opportunities

3. Representation, inter-agency collaboration and partnership development

4. Knowledge management and innovation

1. Partnership and programme development planning

● Develop a comprehensive partnership and programme development plan in line with UNOPS/UNMAS Strategic Plans and Strategies. This includes country context, analysis of the regional and national development and humanitarian landscape, identification of main partners, strategic positioning of UNOPS/UNMAS in the potential operational niches identified, as well as growth of pipeline opportunities for the programme.

● Ensure the plan reflects in-house capacity, typology of projects and the internal tools, and knowledge resources.

● Examine risks and opportunities presented by the strategic positioning of the UNOPS/UNMAS programme and propose appropriate responses to ensure sustainable growth.

● Coordinate and collaborate with relevant Partnerships personnel at local, liaison ,and HQ level, as well as Project Managers and project personnel in Somalia, to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners.

2. Develop opportunities

● Monitor and evaluate humanitarian and development trends and needs to identify areas of collaboration within the UNOPS/UNMAS mandate and existing capacity.

● Research events, publications ,and announcements, to track and screen opportunities for possible UNOPS/UNMAS interventions and identify trends that will drive partnership opportunities.

● Provide advice and feedback to UNOPS PSC / UNMAS HQ on the development of framework partnership agreements that can increase opportunities in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

● Contribute to the identification, design, formulation, and negotiation of new projects and programs, and draft concept notes and project document briefs for discussion with partners.

● Create and maintain oneUNOPS opportunities and engagement functionalities in alignment with UNOPS/UNMAS corporate guidelines.

● Coordinate technical and financial requirements and negotiate proposals to close new project opportunities.

● Drafts agreements and/or contractual documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.

● In coordination with the Communications and Reporting personnel, when available, gather content for communications and outreach materials within the scope of Somalia UNOPS/UNMAS programme.

3. Representation and inter-agency partnership

● Establish and further develop partnerships with UN agencies, international organization's, governments, foundations, international NGOs and private sector organization's to diversify project opportunities within the UNOPS/UNMAS programme in Somalia.

● Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Communications Officer and CMAP, when required.

● Participate in and report on the relevant inter-agency, donor and government coordination meetings including addressing project development issues in consultation with UNOPS/UNMAS project managers and technical experts when required.

● Take part in UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNSCDF, response plans, etc.

● Build a network of key partners, keeping abreast of evolving trends (social, economic, and political).

4. Knowledge management and innovation

● Implement standards, tools and templates provided by UNOPS PSC and UNMAS HQ  to effectively manage partnership and project development within the team to enhance/maintain the programme’s effectiveness as a provider of project services for sustainable results.

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

● Help build partnerships capacity and negotiation skills among project managers

● Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building within project and partnership development.

● Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure its relevance to day-to-day operations.

Education:

● A Master’s degree or equivalent with 5 years of relevant experience;

● Bachelor's degree or equivalent with 7 years of relevant experience.

Experience:

● Relevant experience is defined as experience developing and executing partnership and programme development plans in an international development settings;

● Experience in Project proposal development is required;

● Establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international development organization's, governments, foundations, international NGOs or private sector organization's is required;

● Experience in project and programme management is desired;

● Experience working in international organization's, international development, post-disaster and/or emergency contexts is desired.

● Experience of Google Suite and or Web-based Management Systems is an advantage.

Language:

● Fluency in English is required (speaking, reading, and writing).

● Fluency in one or more additional official UNOPS languages is desired.

1. Contract type:   Staff
2. Contract level:  P3
3. Contract duration:  'One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability'

• 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.