Partnerships Development Advisor

Job Description

Dutystation: Home based

Functional responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Partnerships and with a secondary reporting line to the Country Manager, the Partnerships Development Advisor can be engaged for activities below, depending on organizational needs:

1. Strategic positioning of UNOPS and business development;

2. Explore business development opportunities by identifying the interests/priorities of partners and potential innovative businesses;

3. Develop or implement the partnership strategies for the MCO/Mekong Office;

4. Contribute to maintaining a robust and diverse pipeline of project opportunities, which leads to sustainable growth of the UNOPS’ presence and strengthens the achievements of UNOPS management results and the fulfillment of its mandate;

5. Facilitate external relations with donors, relevant ministries, and Government partners.

Expected deliverables:

Business development strategy:

• Play an advisory role throughout the implementation of the MCO/Mekong business and partnerships strategy;

• Advise/support senior management and operational staff on new partnership and funding opportunities;

• Research and analyse specific donor programming priorities to identify potential funding opportunities appropriate to UNOPS’ strategy and mandate;

• Review related project proposals in line with the MCO/Mekong strategy and donor priorities;

• Advise the MCO/Mekong Office managers and support the business planning process to define high-priority clients, countries, sectors and service areas;

• Advise the MCO/Mekong Office managers on opportunities for expanding the office portfolio;

• Contribute to internal feedback mechanisms to continuously improve both the form and content of partner outreach and project development activities.

Developing and deepening partnerships:

• Conduct regular scans of funding pipelines and donor strategies across Mekong countries

• Develop and deepen partnerships with selected key partners by building and maintaining professional relationships at appropriate levels;

• Expand the MCO/Mekong Office outreach by exploring new partnership opportunities with Foundations, NGOs, academia, and the private sector;

• Identify the interests/priorities of partners and potential innovative businesses for the MCO/Mekong Office in light of UNOPS corporate and Asia Region Strategic Plans;

• Participate in key partnership-building meetings, and ensure systematic and timely follow-up;

• Showcase MCO/Mekong Office capabilities and value-added, and enhance the understanding of UNOPS with relevant partners;

• Support the drafting of early-stage project concept notes and proposals, in collaboration with technical teams;

• Support senior MCO leadership and Country Manager in preparing for high-level partner meetings;

• Coordinate the organisation of meetings between MCO/Mekong Office managers and key Government representatives.

Project identification, formulation and support to field offices

• Research and assess the stakeholder landscape to identify priority themes and opportunities;

• Support the negotiation of new projects and programme with key partners and donors;

• Advise and contribute to ongoing project developments.

Schedule of payments

Workdays will be pre-agreed prior to the commencement of and during the assignment. Payment will be made for days actually worked and certified by the relevant supervisor/authority and will be processed once per month and upon the completion of the UNOPS Certificate of Payment and the timesheet.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, Political Science, Communications, International Relations or related fields is required.

• A combination of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field as outlined above, with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience (or more, depending on academic credentials) in one or the combination of the following areas: international business development, project development, project management, strategic relationships, finance management, management of infrastructure funds, public–private partnership (PPP), or related fields is required.

• Experience working with Government Ministries is required.

• Experience in working with a range of stakeholders and donors is required.

• Experience in innovative development programs and financing mechanisms is an asset.

• Experience in UN system organisations is an asset.

• Experience working in Mekong countries is an asset.

• Experience with government donors and a network of development partners is desirable.

• Full working knowledge (Fluency) in English 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.