Partnerships Specialist

Mid Senior

Overview

Support UNOPS relationships and representation with stakeholders.

You have:

• A Master’s degree in international affairs, political science, communication, economics, business administration or related fields
• Bachelor’s + 2 additional years of experience in the same fields
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, particularly in stakeholders engagement, business development, communications, or coordination roles
• Full working knowledge of English is essential with excellent written and oral communication skills
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language, particularly French, or Spanish is an asset
• PRINCE2® Foundation and Prince2® Practitioner an asset

Contract

This is a IICA-2 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 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Role of the New York Liaison Office

The New York Board and External Relations Office is responsible for various functions on behalf of UNOPS. The team manages the organization's relationship with components of the UN Secretariat based in New York, its interaction with UN Member States, as well as the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS.

The Office positions UNOPS on various strategic initiatives and supports the organization on UN system-side issues, such as UN reform. Further, the team supports with host country agreements and the accreditation of UNOPS country representatives, as well as representing the organization in UN Inter-Agency Working Groups.

In close proximity to a number of UN entity headquarters, the New York Liaison Office is also responsible for interaction with New York-headquartered UN entities, such as UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women.

Role of the Partnerships Specialist

Reporting to the Head of the New York Board and External Relations Office, the Partnerships Specialist will support the New York Board and External Relations Office, in the fulfillment of their corporate and representational roles, as well as support the UNOPS New York Board and External Relations Office in promotion and relationship management. The role will assist in the development and implementation of strategies and approaches to maximize the effectiveness of UNOPS interactions with the Executive Board and with a view to advancing the UNOPS mandate. (S)he will have strong communications and relationship management skills and will have a proven ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a politically sensitive and challenging environment.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Executive Board Functions

- Manage and lead the work with the Executive Board, including organizing Board sessions, preparing and ensuring submission of documents, and acting as a focal point for Board members regarding decisions, informals, and executive board briefings. - Coordinate UNOPS interaction with Executive Board Member and Observer States, and with other agencies sharing the Executive Board, including through preparing informal consultations and formal sessions of the Executive Board. - Attend meetings on behalf of UNOPS, compile materials, and prepare statements and papers, as requested. - Develop analysis, mapping and participate in client meetings relating to opportunities with partners in New York such as UN, Governments, foundations, NGOs, academia, think tanks and private sector. - Provide support and guidance to UNOPS Directors in developing the reports, policies and programmes for information and decision-making by the Executive Board.

2. Support to the New York Board and External Relations Office

   • Develop in-depth research and local based networking to support the on-going projects undertaken within the New York Board and External Relations Office including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
   • Prepare briefing notes as required.
   • Participate in various international and regional events, coordination and stakeholder meetings, as required.
   • Support promotion and branding for UNOPS projects at global level by producing presentations and communication materials.
   • Develop concept notes and identify new strategic initiatives for new development collaboration and negotiate with new partners.
   • Support with Protocol matters. Note verbale, Host country agreements, Cooperation agreements, Accreditation.
   • Provide timely, high quality, and strategic advice and support on Executive Board relations to the Head of New York Board and External Relations Office and other senior leaders in UNOPS as required.
   • Support preparation for the missions to New York by the Executive Director and other UNOPS Directors, including, scheduling, meeting briefs preparation, background notes preparation and ensure follow up.

3. Relationship management

   • Build Relationships with member states through their Permanent Representations in New York.
   • Contribute to the development of the member state outreach plan.
   • Develop country specific communication plans and related supporting materials.
   • Track progress against plan.
   • Research events, publications and announcements, to track and screen opportunities for possible UNOPS interventions and identify trends that will drive partnership opportunities.

   4. Knowledge management and innovation

• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building.
• Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure their relevance.

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• A Master’s degree in international affairs, political science, communication, economics, business administration or related fields
• or Bachelor’s +2 additional years of experience in the same

Certification:

• PRINCE2® Foundation and Prince2® Practitioner an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, particularly in stakeholders engagement, business development, communications, or coordination roles.

Language Requirements: - Full working knowledge of English is essential with excellent written and oral communication skills. - Knowledge of another official UNOPS language, particularly French, or Spanish is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: IICA
• Contract level: IICA2
• 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

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight NYC 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.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org