Partnerships Advisor

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Partnerships and Liaison Group (PLG) is a corporate unit which supports UNOPS efforts in building closer ties with partners across the full spectrum of UNOPS activities. By forging strategic relationships and working with partners, both in the field and at headquarters, PLG seeks to ensure high partners satisfaction with UNOPS project implementation and support. Based in Copenhagen, PLG has active liaison offices in New York, Geneva, Brussels, Bangkok, Tokyo, Washington DC, Amman and Nairobi.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of the Washington Liaison Office, the Partnerships Advisor is responsible for supporting the development of relations with the US Government (USG) and its institutions, including USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and the Department of State. The Partnership Advisor will also support the development of partnerships with the World Bank and the Government of Canada.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of the Washington Liaison Office, the Partnerships Advisor will have the following functional responsibilities:

1. Partnership and programme development planning
2. Development and follow up of partnership opportunities
3. Inter-agency collaboration and partnership development

4. Knowledge management and innovation

   1. Partnership and programme development planning The incumbent is responsible to support the development and implementation of the UNOPS ÚS Government partnership strategy. He/she will analyze UNOPS present status with the US Government and pursue partnership development opportunities. He/she will build on existing partnerships and ensure that activities undertaken improve the ability of UNOPS to provide value generating services to the US Government. He/she will also support the Head of the Liaison Office on developing engenments with the World Bank and the Government of Canada.

• Support the Head of the Washington Liaison Office with the development and implementation of the UNOPS-USG partnership strategy, pursue partnerships development opportunities, and provide advice to senior management and UNOPS country offices. Ensure that UNOPS is able to clearly and accurately provide the USG with up-to-date information on how UNOPS operates, its comparative advantage, and how it can support the USG to deliver on its international assistance priorities.
• Support development of relationships with key staff of the USG, through a large network of key contacts at USG institutions, mainly USAID, the MCC and the Department of State.
• Support UNOPS leadership to promote the organisation at the highest levels of the USG in both the executive and legislative branches, as well within key institutions, through advocacy and lobbying.
• Facilitate high level meetings between senior management of UNOPS and USG partners.
• Develop good working relationships with the World Bank and the Government of Canada to position UNOPS as a partner of choice.
• Support UNOPS Country Offices in their partnerships with the USG and facilitate their participation in training opportunities and relevant USG events.
• In close cooperation with the Communications Group, develop UNOPS/USG capacity statements and relevant information materials.
• Coordinate and collaborate with relevant partnerships personnel at local, liaison and HQ level, as well as project managers and project personnel of the country offices to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners covered by the Washington Liaison Office.
• Support UNOPS offices in partnerships development with the World Bank and Canada, looking at geographic and sectoral partner priorities
• Support developing framework agreements with relevant partner institutions to facilitate future cooperation and partnerships development opportunities

2. Develop opportunities - Monitor and evaluate humanitarian, development, and peace and security trends and needs to identify areas of collaboration within UNOPS mandate and existing capacity. - Provide advice and feedback to UNOPS HQ and Regional Office on the development of framework partnership agreements that can increase opportunities. - Contribute to the identification, design, formulation, and negotiation of new projects and programs for discussion with partners. - Understand and clearly communicate UNOPS mandate, value proposition, policies, and rules and regulations to partners.

3. Knowledge management and innovation - Contribute to the ongoing research, development, dissemination and implementation of best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to maximise performance and sustain achievements in project and partnership development. - Help build capacity and negotiation skills among UNOPS colleagues to strengthen their engagement with the USG, World Bank, and Canada. - Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools, and resources to ensure its relevance to day-to-day operations. - Support the organization of high-level speaking opportunities for UNOPS Executive Office and other members of UNOPS Senior Leadership Team.

4. Operations and Compliance Support - Act as focal point on MoUs, agreement templates, online partner systems, and on operational and contractual questions at engagement level, and during and after implementation; - Provide guidance on direct contracting and call for proposals to UNOPS Country offices, as well as hosted entities; - When required, review proposal submission (narrative and financial) for quality control and assurance and compliance with internal and partner policy; - Develop best practices, templates, guidance materials for Country Offices jointly with HQ units, and ensure knowledge management and sharing ; - When needed, liaise with target partners personnel on issues arising at project implementation level.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as preferably Business Administration, European studies, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, Political Science, Communications, International Relations or related studies. - A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience: - Min. 7 years of experience in one or the combination of the following areas: international relations; project development, project management; strategic relationship and/or programme development plans, is required; - Broad understanding of US Government funds, programs, rules and regulations is a requirement; - Experience working with or lobbying US executive and legislative branches is an asset; - Experience in working with a range of stakeholders and donors is desirable; - Broad understanding of UNOPS mission and its partners, UN, as well as UN mandate is an asset.

Language requirements: - Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required. - Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contract level: I-ICA 3 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.