Partnerships Advisor - Liaison

Job Description

Dutystation: Tokyo, Japan

Functional responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the Director, PLG, act as the primary representative of UNOPS in meetings with the Government of Japan, JICA, the private sector, foundations and other Japanese institutions.
• Engage with relevant UN and national/non-UN coordination mechanisms and represent UNOPS. Build and maintain strong external relationships and be a competent partner for others.
• Participate in key partnership building meetings and ensure their systematic and timely follow-up to deliver tangible results.
• Represent UNOPS in strategic and relevant conferences and events in Japan and lead on supporting UNOPS Offices to engage or participate in Japan supported events at regional or country level.
• Under the guidance of the Director, PLG, expand UNOPS outreach by exploring new partnership opportunities with foundations, INGOs, academia, and the private sector.
• Meet and build working relationships with key staff in Japanese institutions. Maintain and nurture a large network amongst relevant institutions of the Government of Japan, mainly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JICA, private sectors, academics, INGOs, and others.
• Establish a close working relationship with and be an active, contributing member of the UN Team in Japan, and coordinate with the representatives of the UN agencies, funds, and programmes in Japan.
• Abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans, and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• In close cooperation with the Communications Unit, develop relevant UNOPS capacity statements and information materials to outreach targeted audiences.

• Research, analyse, and develop the Japan partnership strategy, in alignment with UNOPS strategic plan, UNOPS regional strategies, and Japan’s policies.
• Advises the Director of PLG on opportunities for expanding the UNOPS portfolio.
• Facilitate high-level meetings between UNOPS senior management and Japan.
• Develop internal guidelines, procedures, and tools of Japan funds; monitor performance standards/indicators and control mechanisms throughout UNOPS to ensure the quality of project implementation.
• Develop internal feedback mechanisms to continuously improve both the form and content of partner outreach and project development activities.

• Research and analyse specific donor development financing and programming priorities to identify potential funding opportunities and develop respective project proposals in line with UNOPS strategy.
• Advise field offices in the area of business development through opportunities analysis, partnerships development, and programme design.
• Actively facilitate the identification, design, formulation, and negotiation of new projects and programs in the field.
• Provide project development support, advice, and assistance to Regional Directors, Country Directors, and Project Managers in conjunction with Japanese funds.
• Monitor communications, follow-up activities, and proposal submissions with key partners and donors.
• Coordinate and lead the preparation of business and project proposals in response to specific opportunities.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• Masters degree or equivalent with 7 years of relevant experience.
• Bachelors degree or equivalent with 9 years of relevant experience. A relevant degree in International Relations, Business Administration, or related field is desirable.
  

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in partnership development, development financing, government relations, or international development is required.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing partnership strategies is required.
• Experience working with Japanese institutions and/or in the Asia-Pacific region is required.
• Experience in project management and program design is required.
• Field experience and exposure to operational environments is desired.

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Fluency in oral and written Japanese is required.

About the Organization

TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.

Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

We are proud of our people and embrace diversity and are committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners. Spread across 80 countries from a range of backgrounds, and languages and have different gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.

We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.