National Partnership Specialist
Support the Country Office's Partnership Strategy for UNFPA's initiatives.
Overview
Support the Country Office's Partnership Strategy for UNFPA's initiatives.
You have:
- Experience in partnership, donors relation, or communication, or other relevant programmes, ideally in the development sector.
- Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills in Lao.
- Very good oral and written skills in English.
- Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications, email, and internet.
Contract
This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.
This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA's strategic plan (2022-2026), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. Thus, UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and committed to delivering excellence in programme results. UNFPA Lao PDR is implementing its 7th Country Programme (CP) in Lao PDR. In response to Lao's socio-economic context and, in line with its strategy on modes of engagement in lower-middle-income countries, UNFPA has prioritized upstream work, with a focus on stronger policy-advocacy and communication and networking to mobilize strategic partnerships. At the same time, innovative pilots and new initiatives are being supported to accelerate delivery on the three transformative results in this decade of action. UNFPA Lao PDR CP 7 2022- 2026 builds on the successes of CP6 and aims to accelerate progress of Lao PDR towards its ICPD25 commitments and the SDGs through strong integration of International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) with National and sectoral plans. The office has initiated innovative approaches to engage with youth and has diversified partnerships to maximize impact in the decade of action for delivering on the SDGs. The National Partnerships Specialist will support implementing the Country Office’s Partnership Strategy, by analyzing relevant political, social and economic developments and opportunities. The Partnerships Specialist will support the effective implementation and resourcing of the UNFPA Country Programme to meet ICPD25 commitments; and will help identify, establish and monitor partnerships for the country office.
Under the overall supervision of the Partnership International expert, the national Partnership Specialist will provide advice, create opportunities and support UNFPA in establishing and monitoring creative partnerships. The position is critical to the country office's advocacy and resource mobilization efforts geared towards achieving the Lao government ICPD25 commitments and UNFPA's transformative results. The National Partnerships Specialist will • support the Country Office (CO) in identifying opportunities and products on an on-going basis with public audiences, development partners, government counterparts and other key stakeholders with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding and support for UNFPA’s mandate in Laos • support the implementation of the CO Partnerships Strategy • maintain the overview of the building blocks and partnerships submissions • Seek innovations in partnership to accelerate the delivery of International Conference on Population and Development – Programme of Action (ICPD PoA) for possible use in the Lao context from within the UNFPA, UN, and Development sectors • support programme teams with taking forward initiatives with private sector partners • proactively work with programme staff to identify potential partnerships and follow up to create opportunities for taking UNFPA interventions to scale • conduct substantive donor intelligence analysis and dialogue with potential counterparts amongst government, UN and other development partners: nationals and internationals to incorporate ICPD agenda into new spheres • support the communication team to document best practices • monitor donor’s visibility and work on donors communication • prepare partnership briefs • update relevant technical documents such as the partnership monitoring tools, online platforms related to submission of reports • support proof reading of reports to donors • participate in the media relations • participate to the preparation of important events (International Days, campaigns, conferences) • carry out any other relevant activities/responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.
● Commitment to UNFPA Values and Guiding Principles; ● Achieving results; ● Being accountable; ● Developing and applying professional expertise; ● Thinking analytically and strategically; ● Working in teams/managing ourselves and relationships; ● Communicating for impact. ● Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNFPA; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNFPA procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; ● Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNFPA in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; ● Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; ● Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. ● Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; ● Communication; ● Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; ● Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNFPA’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
● Relevant professional experience in partnership, donors relation, or communication, or other programme areas; experience with development sector is an asset, as is prior work in the UN or other international development organizations; ● Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills in Lao ● Very good oral and written skills in English ● Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; ● Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; ● Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; ● Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.
Other information Inclusivity statement United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status. Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity’s policy
Benefit: - Volunteer Living Allowance: USD 9796/12 months - Entry Lum Sum: USD 400 - Exit Lum Sum: USD 68,02/month - Health and Life Insurance - Dependent Allowance
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you successfully managed a partnership for a project? | The interviewer wants to assess your partnership management skills and experience. | Use a specific example that highlights your role in the partnership and the outcomes achieved. |
| How do you ensure effective communication with diverse stakeholders? | This question evaluates your communication skills and cultural sensitivity. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What approaches do you use to mobilize resources for your projects? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a challenging situation you faced while working in a multinational team. How did you handle it? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you prioritize tasks when faced with tight deadlines? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of how you've adapted to changing circumstances in your work? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you employ to document best practices effectively? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| In your opinion, what is the importance of diversity in partnerships? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |