Creative Partnership Networks Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNDP is the UN's prime global development network, an organization that is set out to assist countries and societies to tap into development opportunities at every step of their developmental pathway. UNDP itself is undergoing change since it aims to be a catalyst and service provider for structural change by forging creative partnership networks through knowledge sharing, creating markets for solutions and resource pooling to help achieve the 2030 agenda.
The CO has identified creative partnerships, network enabling and strategic communications as a core strategic area of growth in support of its work. The focus on this area is motivated by the new demands posed by the 2030 and 2063 Agendas, which require of concerted actions from all development actors, national counterparts, philanthropy, the private sector and beyond, in order to achieve the ambitious goals for socioeconomic transformation and sustainable development. It is also driven by the growing number of development actors active in the African development landscape and the demands that this places on UNDP as convener of national and regional policy dialogue platforms to and facilitator of development facilitate partnerships for transformation. As part of the Communication and Partnership Team, the Creative Partnership Networks Specialist is responsible for the development of UNDP’s broad and diverse partnership strategy focused on a wide range of partners and partner platforms for change. He/she will be constantly adapting the partnership strategy while building and designing partnership platforms that enable transformative development in the country and beyond. He/She will do so in engaging and providing for inclusive and open platforms for partnerships with national and international stakeholders. These open models are to be crafted to multiply our pooled productive and intellectual resources in solving challenges and tapping into new development opportunities across otherwise siloed arenas: Especially the divide between the public and the private sectors should be envisioned to design common spaces for cooperation as a by-product of their own operating system. UNDP Guinea-Bissau focuses on different practice areas, while putting change agents, i.e. youth and women, at the center of our developmental actions. The country office is currently composed by approximately 100 staff members, including both in programme and operations.
It is essential that the Creative Partnership Networks Specialist provides the CO with the latest of development discussions enabling clusters to engage better with partners while being supported in playing their thought leadership roles. The Creative Partnership Networks Specialist will be part of the Country Office Communications & Partnerships Unit and will work in close collaboration with the UNDP Programme and Operations teams, ad hoc consultants, staff of other UN Agencies, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, Government officials, international and national and community media, multi-lateral and bi-lateral partners, the private sector, traditional and non-traditional partners and civil society ensuring successful UNDP positioning as a trusted partner.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Deputy Resident Representative/Head of Programme or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Creative Partnership Networks Specialist will perform the following functions.

Summary of Key Functions: • Co-designs the CO’s approach to partnership and network creation on the principle of true collaboration
• Leads efforts to position the CO as a trusted partner of choice and convener of national and subnational networks for transformation- Co-designs and supports implementation of the communications, partnership and resource mobilization strategy and action plan • Advises the Heads of Cluster and Units as well as Senior Management on strategic opportunities for engagement with key partners and stakeholders, and on options of creating partner ecosystems around different topics; • Promotes results and thought leadership through effective partner relations, • Leads the strategic development in UNDP building partnerships with government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, private sector, south/south cooperation and foundations; • Manages UNDP’s portfolio on partnerships with government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, private sector, south/south cooperation and foundations in the country and worldwide; • Helps foster a new perspective on collaboration across the CO in favor of collective design, human-centered approaches and true convener on the basis of trust, common values and credibility through training and outreach activities; • Inform on new developments regarding development discussion; • Builds relevant networks with development partners and explores new opportunities for cooperation;

1. Supports the implementation of communications, partnership and resource mobilization strategy and action plan; • Leads the discussion and design of a new partnership and business development strategy co-created with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders and partners • Leads and swiftly adapts the implementation of RBA’s partnerships strategy and work programme to new contexts and insights while acknowledging the need for constant iteration of the continuously evolving partnerships, users and networks landscape; • Monitors new trends in development and communicates these to all relevant stakeholders inside and outside of the organization;
   • Supports timely implementation of partnership components through robust engagement with programme and project staff. • Supports administrative procedures and follow-up ; • Builds a network of peers and partners for advocacy of new projects;
2. Advises the Heads of Cluster and Units as well as Senior Management on strategic opportunities for engagement with key partners and stakeholders, and on options of creating partner ecosystems and enabling networks around strategic topics of UNDP’s agenda. • Identifies possible networks of partners and enabling ecosystems for transformational change and defines UNDP’s catalytic role; • Co-designs solutions for partner network creation • Co-creates a new institutional culture around partnerships at the CO level, working alongside all teams and clusters, especially with the support of the Accelerator Lab • Provides inputs at all levels of the organization to streamline strategic opportunities for engagement with partners and partner networks; • Supports the organization of events and activities (both traditional and digital) • Coordinates with colleagues and partners to gather and disseminate information on assigned topics/issues, collects information from diverse sources to prepare background materials and update communication products, including fact sheets, presentations, reports, etc;
   • Drafts and disseminates information especially to local media and organizations about UNDP mandate, mission and purpose, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); • Acts as coordinator on specific issues/special projects as requested; • As part of UNDP Guinea-Bissau programme activities, supports capacity building for civic education and community awareness where appropriate; • Supports in co-creation of a coherent UNDP narrative for country office

3. Leads and manages the strategic development in UNDP building partnerships with Government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, private sector and foundations, philanthropy, South/South and Triangular cooperation, focusing on achievement of the following results: • Develops and helps implement UNDP Guinea-Bissau’s communications, partnership (South/South) and resource mobilization strategy making the business case for a closer IFIs and private sector engagement including financial for development, innovation in development while helping build partnership networks around transformational change like innovation and digital transformation. • Develop strategic relationship with donors and vertical funds and shape their undertaking of • CO needs and strategy, b) understanding of key issues concerning Guinea-Bissau and c) contexts of political stability; • Supports UNDP Guinea-Bissau’s advocacy efforts on engagement with the Government, the IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations and private sector on SDGs and UNDP programme priority areas; • Delineates the strategic role of private sector partnerships at national and state levels in UNDP Guinea-Bissau Country Programme against UNDP’s corporate priorities in this area.Maps and tracks UNDP Guinea Bissau’s internal needs for potential private sector engagement initiatives and Corporate Social Responsibility /Creating Shared Value (CSV) activities aligned with the Government of Guinea-Bissau and UNDP’s Country Programme

4. Advises and Guides Outreach for Government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, Private Sector and Foundation partnerships and takes on knowledge development and management.
   • Scans the environment for private sector, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations and Foundations partnership opportunities using partner specific analysis, needs and comparative strengths;
   • Assists in resource mobilization by preparing the background analysis, partner consultations, and high-level meetings to facilitate a closer cooperation with the government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, private sector and Foundations; • Provides regular technical support, information and expert guidance to UNDP Country and Government office on engagement with the private sector; • Works closely with the UNDP Communications team for appropriate messaging for UNDP engagement with the Government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, private sector and Foundations; • Works closely with the worldwide UNDP network, including GPN, regional offices, etc. • Explores opportunities for mobilizing private sector Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) /Creating Shared Value (CSV) resources to support Government of Guinea-Bissau/UNDP initiatives and develop relevant private sector partnership strategies including building partnerships to promote Gender Equality; • Explores different funding sources, models and modalities and define parameters for UNDP’s engagement. • Instills a strong culture of knowledge management and knowledge sharing in the CO; • Puts knowledge development at the core of partnerships as a foundational principle of the unit’s work; • Provides substantive leadership to relevant UNDP’s communities of practice and other practice networks, within UNDP
   • Agenda-setting through the use of blogs, social media, community of practice to ensure wide dissemination of positions, events, debates on the topics covered by the CO; • Ensures the continuous collation of lessons learnt and best practices in the areas of partnership networks for development. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Functional Competencies:
Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda Building Strategic Partnerships Innovation and Marketing New Approaches Resource Mobilization Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals Client Orientation

Core Competencies: - Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents - Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation - Building and promoting effective teams - Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication - Creating an emotionally intelligent organization - Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards - Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. - Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member. - Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking

marketing/outreach/resource mobilization/partnership.
• Diversified experience in working with public and private sector desirable • Excellent networking capacities and proven experience in building networks and alliances around transformational topics; • Certification in design thinking and systems thinking desirable.

The Republic of Guinea-Bissau, a small country in western Africa, is one of the world’s poorest nations. The capital is Bissau and the official language is Portuguese. Many people outside of Bissau speak only an indigenous language or Creole. English is not widely used. The country’s 1998-99 civil war and the persistent political instability devastated the economy. Tourist facilities and infrastructure in general are very limited and not up to common minimum standards with respect to tourism.

Guinea-Bissau continues to experience periodic political disruptions and instability, although with no violent incidents, all travellers to the country should closely monitor the political situation. Visitors should avoid political gatherings and street demonstrations. Demonstrations typically begin or end in front of the former Presidential Palace in “Praca dos Herois Nacionais.” While most demonstrations in Bissau are non-violent, the imbalance of power in the country can lead to violent demonstrations. For safety and security issues, UN Security in the country will provide security advisories and procedures. Guinea-Bissau is a hardship E duty station but considered a family duty station. It has many limitations in terms of reliable education and health services (there is a UN Clinic for UN staff). There are recurrent electricity cuts even in the capital city. There are supermarkets and some restaurants.

Guinea-Bissau is a unique country and it provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.