Partnerships Specialist (MENA and ECA region)

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. 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.

Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is a global partnership for the promotion of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Headquartered in Brussels and supported by a Secretariat, it is a unique partnership with a diverse membership including – global organizations of local authorities, national governments, international non-governmental organizations, foundations, knowledge networks and multilateral organizations – which have come together to strengthen both impacts and coherence in urban development. Cities Alliance is a global leader, with a strong track record in grant making, that supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading strategies and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Members promote longer-term and integrated work programmes, while actively promoting gender equality throughout all activities.

Identify and secure funding opportunities:

• Identify funding opportunities across various sectors, including urban development, climate change, migration, and infrastructure investments in cities, with a focus on governments, international agencies, multilateral institutions, non-governmental organizations, foundations, and the private sector within the ECA and MENA regions.
• Engage with key regional and international stakeholders to develop and promote Cities Alliance’s mission and agenda in the Mediterranean, ECA, and MENA countries.

Develop proposals and project concepts:

• Collaborate closely with Cities Alliance’s and UNOPS’ Country Representatives  and Project Managers in the development of expressions of interest, concept notes, and proposals for potential new projects.

Engage in business development and partnership expansion:

• Drive the creation of new partnerships and business development opportunities across cities in ECA and MENA, ensuring alignment with Cities Alliance’s objectives in urban development, climate resilience, infrastructure investment and migration management.
• In coordination with Cities Alliance’s leadership, pursue  the membership of new countries and institutions into the Cities Alliance, focusing on European Mediterranean countries and regional partners in ECA and MENA.
• Support the development and dissemination of  high-quality communication materials, such as factsheets, presentations, capacity statements, position papers, and FAQs, to support advocacy, visibility, and outreach efforts with potential donors and partners in MENA and ECA.

Networking  and stakeholder relations:

• Coordinate and actively participate in meetings with donors, partners, and other stakeholders, ensuring the development of action-oriented meeting minutes, follow-up actions, and detailed progress updates.
• Conduct research and analysis of donor and partner focus areas, funding cycles, and opportunities within the ECA and MENA regions, providing strategic insights for partnership development.
• Build and maintain a strong network of key stakeholders, including government officials, regional institutions, private sector entities, and multilateral organizations across the ECA, MENA, and Mediterranean regions.
• Stay abreast of evolving social, economic, and political trends in the regions to inform Cities Alliance’s partnership strategies and approach.

Business acquisition and reporting:

• Maintain and update engagement tracking and forecasting sheets to provide regular reports on the business acquisition pipeline, partnership developments, and progress on partnership-building activities.
• Ensure all communication and reporting materials are up-to-date and aligned with Cities Alliance's goals, supporting  the management of donor relationships.

Frequent travel and field support:

• Undertake frequent travel across the ECA and MENA regions, particularly to Mediterranean countries, Southern Shore countries, and Gulf nations, to establish new partnerships, manage existing ones, and support the implementation of regional projects.
• Support the Senior Urban Specialist for MENA and ECA and Project Managers in their engagements with potential partners, ensuring effective and efficient stakeholder management.

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) preferably in international relations, political science, economics, business administration, or a related field is required. A focus on urban development, gender, or international cooperation would be considered an asset.
• A first level university degree (Bachelor degree or equivalent) in the related fields with an additional two (2) years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in partnership development, donor engagement, and resource mobilization is required with a Master`s degree. (7 years is required with a Bachelor's degree)
• Proven experience working with bilateral and multilateral donors, development banks, or philanthropic foundations is required.
• Experience in business development, including pipeline development and proposal coordination for complex programmes in the MENA and/or ECA regions, is highly desirable.
• Previous experience in international development organizations or urban-focused institutions is an asset.
• Familiarity with cross-cutting themes such as gender equality, climate resilience, migration, and inclusive urban development is highly advantageous.

•  Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in French is highly desirable. Knowledge of Arabic would be an asset.

1. Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement
2. Contract level: IICA 2/ ICS 10
3. Contract duration : Open-ended

• 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 

• 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.