Partnerships Advisor - Retainer

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

General Background of Project/Assignment

“UNOPS plays a critical role in providing management services for our life-saving, peace-building, humanitarian and development operations. I have seen many examples of how these activities help suffering people in troubled parts of the world.”-Ban Ki-moon, former United Nations Secretary-General. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peace building, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. UNOPS mandate is to act as a project delivery platform for UN system agencies, funds and programmes, international and regional financial institutions, intergovernmental organizations, donor and recipient governments, and non-profit, non-governmental organizations. As a self-financing entity within the UN system, UNOPS must ensure that the projects it delivers meet client expectations in terms of cost, quality and time, while at the same time ensuring that these projects collectively meet a broader array of success criteria. UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Kenya Multi-Country Office (KEMC)

UNOPS KEMC helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including: governance, education, health, the environment, grant management and rural development.

UNOPS KEMC has over twenty five years of experience working in East and Southern Africa, including large scale infrastructure, project management and procurement projects. With a flexible and responsive organizational structure throughout the region, UNOPS is able to scale up rapidly, through various mechanisms - including into remote and high risk areas. This operational agility provides ‘on demand’ resources and value to partners.

Background Information

The Partnerships Advisor will work under the direct supervision of the Director of UNOPS KEMC. The post is based in Maputo, Mozambique. He/she will be expected to make regular visits to key stakeholders, including Provincial and District Governments. The incumbent coordinates across all relevant projects and units of the UNOPS KEMC portfolio for Mozambique, focusing primarily on supporting UNOPS KEMC’s efforts to expand its value adding projects and partnerships in Mozambique. S/he will liaise with all relevant stakeholders to identify UNOPS partnership opportunities - on the basis of its mandate and role as part of the UN family. This will include engagement with government ministries and departments on protocol, policies and procedures. He/she will also advise the senior management team at KEMC. The work is diverse and requires a significant level of multitasking.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Director, the Partnerships Advisor shall be responsible for performing, amongst others, the following duties:

• Liaise with counterpart government ministries and departments including on matters of protocol, policies and procedures, and advise management accordingly.
• Upon request, support in coordinating or following up on matters relating to support from counterpart ministries, including obtaining and renewing agreements, visas, importation of project assets, etc. and advise relevant projects on effective communication with the relevant ministry as may be required.
• Provide to the UNOPS Management Team political updates/analysis of developments in the key geographical areas and the country as a whole as well as other information when necessary.
• Participate in the formulation of projects/programmes; support in the identification and establishment of contacts with key partners and undertake regular and ad-hoc visits (including joining the assessment missions) to provinces and key locations to engage stakeholders, gather information and build UNOPS visibility.
• Advise and follow up on matters relating to key communications with counterpart ministries, donors and other cooperation partners.
• Ensure that government ministries and other key stakeholders are informed of UNOPS activities.
• Establish relations with relevant Provincial and District governments where needed.
• Work with the Director, the Head of Partnerships and the Head of Programmes to build a partnership strategy for UNOPS KEMC.
• Establish relations with Provincial/District governments, with particular focus on areas where UNOPS has operations.
• Participation in the relevant UN or cooperation partners working groups/ meetings for the purpose of information gathering and networking to identify UNOPS potential entry points, explore engagement development opportunities and support in establishing working relationships with other UN agencies.
• Support and participate in workshops, seminars and training conducted by UNOPS as necessary.
• Advise on UNOPS KEMC’s strategy and positioning.
• Undertake special projects as may be required.

Monitoring and Progress Controls - Planning, execution and follow up on tasks as per the scope of responsibilities detailed above. - Actively interact with colleagues and clients to exchange information and feedback on requests in an effective and efficient manner. - Demonstrate behaviours of professional and personal ethics, transparency and openness to encourage respect and similar behaviour from colleagues in the workplace. - Up to date/informative/accurate reports timely submitted. - Efficiency and effectiveness in handling important correspondence.

Final Products - Efficient communications with the Government of Mozambique and other cooperation partners. - Briefings for the UNOPS KEMC Management Group upon request. - Strengthened input from UNOPS for UN/UNCT related activities. - New projects/programmes formulated in coordination and consultation with relevant stakeholders. - UNOPS participation in relevant meetings and consultations for engagement development.

Education

• A Master’s degree in business administration, Project Management, International relations or other social sciences related subjects is required;
• Bachelor’s Degree in combination with additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in Project administration, project management, budget preparation, local and national government is required;
• At least three (3) years of experience in public relations is required;
• Knowledge of UN rules and regulations will be an asset;
• Prior work experience with the Government of Mozambique at a senior level is an advantage;
• Experience in Google Suite applications will be an asset.

Languages

• Fluency in written and oral English is required;
• Knowledge of Portuguese language will be an asset.

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.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) 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.

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

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement

2. Contract level: IICA 3

3. Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

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

As per UNOPS policy retainer positions in duty stations where the NPO (National Professional Officer) category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), a home-based retainer will be issued a LICA Support or LICA Specialist position.

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.