Partnership Specialist (retainer)

Background of Partnerships and Liaison Group

The Partnerships and Liaison Group (PLG) supports UNOPS efforts to build closer ties with partners across the full spectrum of UNOPS activities. By forging strategic relationships and working with partners, both in the field and at headquarters, PLG seeks to not only ensure high partners satisfaction with UNOPS project implementation and support, but also to integrate best practices and innovative solutions from experienced non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector into UNOPS operations. Based in Copenhagen, PLG has liaison offices in Amman, Bangkok, Brussels, Geneva, Tokyo, Washington DC, and Nairobi and supports partners such as the World Bank, the European Union, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the United Nations Mine Action Service, the United Nations Environment, the Global Fund, USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, national governments, and others.

Partnerships specialist(s) will guide and coordinate the expansion of UNOPS Partnership. The partnerships specialist(s) will be responsible for the development of business opportunities, including coordination and/or drafting and/or quality and compliance review of competitive proposals in different areas and for different types of services such as infrastructure (water and sanitation, transportation networks, shelter as well as education and health facilities), environment, and technical assistance in procurement and project management. The partnerships specialist (s) should be able to manage multiple assignments under time pressure. S/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria.

Guide and coordinate the expansion of UNOPS partnership

• Identifies and develops potential new project and partnership opportunities related to UNOPS’ services and supports in preparing and delivering complex proposals and partnerships within UNOPS focus areas, while focusing on strategic partnerships and diverse funding sources.
• Examine risks and opportunities presented by the strategic positioning of the UNOPS Tokyo Liaison Office and propose appropriate responses to ensure sustainable growth.
• Coordinate and collaborate with relevant UNOPS personnel at local, liaison and HQ level, as well as Project Managers and project personnel in Japan to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partner.
• Manage the information flows among UNOPS divisions for business development

Develop opportunities:

• Monitor humanitarian and development trends and needs to identify areas of collaboration within UNOPS mandate and existing capacity.
• Analyze the opportunities by collecting data, implementing feasibility studies and corresponding with UNOPS and Japanese stakeholders
• Analyze and advise the design of UNOPS internal implementation structure of new projects.
• 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.
• Develop high quality concept notes, proposals and budgets, ensure their quality and compliance with donor requirements.
• 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.
• Understand and clearly explain UNOPS pricing policy to partners.

Knowledge management and innovation

Facilitates work and shares knowledge and expertise in Partnerships and Project Development and institutionalizes knowledge sharing within the section through:

• Implement standards, tools and templates provided by HQ to effectively manage partnership and project development within the team to enhance/maintain UNOPS 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 maximise performance and sustain achievements in project and partnership development.
• 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.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

Will be managed via statement of receipt of satisfactory services from hiring manager

Final product will be:

• Accurate, timely and professional execution of above duties
• Proactive follow-up on duties and commitments
• Client satisfaction based on feedback against performance indicators and measurements.

Education 

• Master’s degree preferably in Social Science, Business Administration, Law or other fields related to the work of UNOPS;
• Bachelor’s degree or professional qualifications are also acceptable in lieu of additional years of relevant working experience.

Work Experience

• Minimum 7 years work experience in project development; Japan funded project management; research; coordination & outreach;
• Experience in the UN system is an asset;

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Japanese is required.
• Fluency in other UN languages, in particular Spanish and French, is an asset.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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.