Partnerships Specialist

The United Nations Office for Project Services (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.

The Partnerships Specialist is a member of the UNOPS Amman Operational Hub’s Partnership team. The Operational Hub in Amman covers Jordan, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria.   The position is based in Amman, Jordan with some travel. Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Partnerships Advisor, and in close coordination with the Head of Programme, the Partnerships Specialist is responsible for developing partnerships, strategic positioning, and programme portfolios. In his/her capacity, the Partnerships Specialist also supports the Amman Multi-Country Office management with regards to UNOPS activities in the Amman Hub.

 Functional Responsibilities:

• Partnership and programme development planning
• Development and follow up of partnership opportunities
• Inter-agency collaboration and partnership development

Knowledge management and innovation:

• Partnership and programme development planning
• Develop a comprehensive partnership and programme development plan in line with UNOPS Strategic Plan. This  includes country context, analysis of the regional and national development and humanitarian landscape, identification of main partners, strategic positioning of UNOPS in the potential operational niches identified, as well as support an increase in pipeline opportunities for countries in scope of the Amman Operational Hub. Ensure that the plan reflects in-house capacity, typology of projects and the internal tools and knowledge resources.
• Examine risks and opportunities presented by the strategic positioning of the Amman Operational Hub and propose appropriate responses to ensure sustainable growth.
• 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 covered by the office, to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners

Develop opportunities :

• Monitor and evaluate humanitarian and development trends and needs to identify areas of collaboration within UNOPS mandate and existing capacity.
• Research events, publications and announcements, to track and screen opportunities for possible UNOPS interventions and identify trends that will drive partnership opportunities.
• Provide advice and feedback on the development of framework partnership agreements that can increase opportunities at the regional level.
• Contribute to the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects and programs and draft concept notes and project document briefs for discussion with partners.
• Create and maintain oneUNOPS opportunities and engagement functionalities in alignment with UNOPS corporate guidelines.
• Coordinate technical and financial requirements, and negotiate proposals to close new project opportunities.
• Drafts agreements and/or contractual documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.
• Understand and clearly explain UNOPS pricing policy to partners.
• Contribute to the diversification of the UNOPS portfolio in line with UNOPS strategic and regional objectives.

Inter-agency partnership:

• Establish and further develop partnerships with UN agencies, international organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs and private sector organisations to diversify project opportunities.
• Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Communications Officer, when required.
• On behalf of the Amman Multi Country Office Director, participate in and report on the relevant inter-agency, donor and government coordination meetings including addressing project development issues in consultation with UNOPS project managers and technical experts when required. Take part in UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNDAF, response plans, etc.
• Build a network of key partners, keeping abreast of evolving trends (social, economic, and political), including the application of innovation to project and partnership development

Knowledge management and innovation :

• In coordination with the Partnerships Advisor, implement standards, tools and templates provided by HQ to effectively manage partnership and project development within the team to enhance/maintain UNOPS effectiveness as a provider of project services for sustainable results.
• Contribute to the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximise performance and sustain achievements in project and partnership development.
• Help build partnerships capacity and negotiation skills among project managers
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building within project and partnership development.
• Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure its relevance to day-to-day operations

Impact of Results: 

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Partnerships Specialist impacts on the performance of the Amman Hub, the Middle East  Regional Office and the Partnership Group by maintaining a robust and diverse pipeline of project opportunities, which leads to sustainable growth of the UNOPS’ presence and strengthens the achievements of UNOPS management results and the fulfilment of its mandate

Education/Experience/Language requirements:

Education:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Public Administration, International Development, Political Science, Communications or International Relations, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• 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.

Expereince: 

• At least 5 years of experience in an international development including demonstrated experience in:
• Developing and implementing partnership strategies; Project development and proposal writing is required;

• Establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international development organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs or private sector organisations is required.
• Prior experience working in international organisations, international development, post-disaster and/or emergency contexts is a requirement.
• Prior experience with inter-agency, donor, and national coordination and planning mechanisms is desirable.
• Prior experience working in the Middle East would be an  asset

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Fluency in Arabic is an advantage.