Partnerships Development Senior Officer

Contract

This is a IICA-1 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 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-1 contracts.

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.

Background Information - Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the Government and people of Afghanistan through delivery of projects and services in line with the government’s national priorities. The UNOPS Afghanistan Operations Center (AFOC) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFOC is implementing a number of projects in a range of sectors including infrastructure (roads, bridges, justice and security, health, and water supply) development, procurement services, HR services, capacity building, and humanitarian protection, amongst others, on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan, the international donor community, and other UN agencies.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFOC is to contribute to the achievement of the development outcomes sought by the Government of Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFOC is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the reconstruction and development of the country. UNOPS AFOC’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFOC’s services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve significantly the lives of all Afghans in need.

Background Information - Job-specific

Established in 2015, Resolute Support (RS) is a NATO-led, non-combat mission with a mandate to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF), who assumed nationwide responsibility for Afghanistan’s security following the conclusion of the previous NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission.

The purpose of RSHQ is to help the Afghan security forces and institutions develop the capacity to protect its citizens in a sustainable manner and to manage/improve security enhancements with Kabul city. The purpose of the UNOPS/RSHQ engagement is to support NATO for both the Afghan National Army (ANA) Trust Fund Office (NATFO) and Kabul Security Force (KSF) funding streams; for procurement of goods and services, contract management, maintenance of equipment(s), physical security enhancements, construction projects and construction work packages, as well as coordination and facilitation of RSHQ operations, programmes and activities (non-kinetic only).

This is a complex engagement and during 2020 the project will expand significantly and convert from a project to a programme.

Functional Responsibilities

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Responsible to the Senior Programme Manager, and reporting through AFOC’s Partnerships Specialist within the Partnerships Development Unit (PDU), the RSHQ Partnerships Development Senior Officer (PDSO) will support the RSHQ programme’s efforts in development of business and partnership relationships between AFOC and RSHQ, as well as help expand UNOPS’ visibility throughout Afghanistan. The PDSO will establish and maintain the programme client base and expand additional engagements, in close coordination with the PDU and Programme Unit, in particular the Head of Programme (HOP). Specific responsibilities of the PDSO include, but are not limited to:

● Act as the RSHQ programme’s primary Business Developer, ensuring engagement (programme and associated projects’) development is conducted fully in line with AFOC’s procedures and processes.

● Identify new business/partnership opportunities and facilitate programme growth by promoting quality services to maintain a competitive edge.

● Draft concept notes, programme and project documents, project briefs, proposals and presentations for further discussion with AFOC senior management and the PDU.

● In consultation with the Senior Programme Manager, and in full consultation with the PDU, establish contacts with clients and partners and attend appropriate external meetings, and prepare subsequent plans of action and follow-up for potential business acquisition and partnership development opportunities.

● Share information and knowledge, and provide proactive support and follow-up in building and maintaining effective client relations, both within and beyond the RSHQ programme environment.

● Ensure a consultative process in the development of new opportunities through appropriate discussions with relevant stakeholders, including internally within AFOC (Senior management and PDU), the client and government.

● Draft budgets, agreements and / or contractual documents in coordination with the PDU and Programme Unit, addressing questions and issues and ensuring their expeditious approval in line with UNOPS’ Project Management Manual (PMM).

● Focal point for contacts, partnership and engagement development, and maintenance within the overall ANA Trust Fund environment.

● Support the PDU in the implementation of its annual work plan.

Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the RSHQ Senior Programme Manager, AFOC Director, and / or the AFOC Senior Management Team, and AFOC PDU, including backstopping for PDU staff.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

● An Advanced-level University Degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in international relations, communications, project management, security, public administration, social science or any other relevant related field is required. A combination of a Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

● PRINCE2 Foundation (or higher) is an asset.

Work Experience

● A minimum of 2 years’ experience including proposal and/or report writing, business/partnership development, communications and/or reporting, and project and/or programme management support is required.

● Experience in UN system organizations, preferably in a fragile state environment, is desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency (oral and written) in English is essential.

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

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: IICA 1 Contract duration: Ongoing ICA - 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