Partnerships Development Senior Manager (Internal Vacancy)

South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO will be established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across  North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines.  EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine countries and clusters: Thailand, Indonesia, Pacific Operations Cluster, Papua New Guinea, SEAMCO China, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Philippines and Cambodia. 

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

The Partnerships and Outreach Unit at  UNOPS EAPMCO:

The Partnerships and Outreach Unit of the South East Asia and Pacific MCO, is established to support all external relations of the MCO, including fundraising, stakeholder management, donor and client liaising, business document preparation, funding acquisition, public relations and outreach functions of EAPMCO. The unit supports the Director of the MCO and Country Managers in formulating and implementing business development and communications strategies promoting UNOPS services to key external parties across 24 countries in SouthEast Asia, North East Asia and the Pacific.

The EAPMCO Partnerships and Outreach Unit has the following functions:

Stakeholder Management, Liaising, and Communications:

This function focuses on supporting and facilitating the identification of donor and client needs and positioning UNOPS as a partner of choice in project implementation practices. Activities include establishing contacts with potential clients and partners and organizing high-level meetings and negotiations; close interaction with country office staff to share information and knowledge, and to provide proactive support and follow-up in building and maintaining effective client relations; identification of requirements and development and distribution of marketing materials, as well as any reports and publications required for existing and potential clients, donors and partners; review and comment on progress reports prepared by projects, and provision of advice as needed to improve content and quality; active marketing and promotion of UNOPS services by building a network of key business partners and clients, keeping abreast of market, social, economic, security and political trends across South East Asia and the Pacific; preparation of reports, briefs, concept notes, presentations, and similar support materials; development of UNOPS capacity statements for the various services provided by UNOPS; and close coordination with UNOPS HQ and the Asia Regional Office to tackle business case troubleshooting, and obtain approvals and clearances.

Project Development and Fundraising:

This function focuses on project design and production of project-related documents. Activities include scanning and assessment of business development opportunities; prioritization of business cases; business development planning; active participation in the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects; drafting concept notes and project briefs and project initiation documents, with support from project and/or technical staff, for further discussion with clients and donors; preparation of business and project proposals for tenders or at donor’s requests; preparation of Expression of Interest letters for potential business when considered consistent with UNOPS’ mandate; drafting agreements and/or contractual documents for the implementation of new projects.

Best Practices:

This function focuses on application of UNOPS’ standards in project design, utilization of PRINCE2 approach, encouraging consistent working practices, and ensuring appropriate application of standards and templates. 

In the context of EAPMCO’s ongoing operations, the incumbent will be responsible for leading EAPMCO’s business development and partnership expansion initiatives across the EAPMCO geographical area. 

The incumbent reports to the EAPMCO Director and will support the overall design, development, and implementation of EAPMCO’s partnership and business development strategy, and manage a team of partnerships and business development personnel located across the MCO. The incumbent liaises  extensively with colleagues at EAPMCO as well as relevant offices at the UNOPS Asia Regional Office and UNOPS Headquarters.

Key functions: 

The main functions of the position including the following:

• Partnership and business development strategy formulation and implementation Support to portfolio growth and expansion

• Support to new and existing engagements

• Communication and visibility 

• Representation

Education: 

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) preferably in International Relations, Political Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field. 

• A first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with an additional two (2) years of relevant experience is considered equivalent. 

Experience

• At least seven (7) years of experience in services marketing, business development, project design and development, fundraising from institutional donors or donor relations required.

• Minimum three (3) years of international experience (working abroad) is required.

• Experience working in any of the Southeast East Asia Pacific countries is a distinctive advantage. 

• Strong networking, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills is required

• Experience in drafting and developing pitches, business cases, and proposals for a broad range of potential donors is a strong asset.

• Proven experience in successfully leading partnership development and resource mobilization work on a variety of issues with a strong understanding of working with institutional donors is a strong asset.

• Experience dealing with multi-lateral and bilateral donors such as the World Bank, USAID, DFID, EU, DFAT, and governments as well as regional or global funds is an asset.

• Experience working in the UN system is an added advantage

Language: 

• Full working knowledge of  English is required.

• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset

1. Contract type: Staff  
2. Contract level: P4
3. Contract duration: Fixed-term staff contract - 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. 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.