The Partnerships and Liaison Group (PLG) is a global functional entity within UNOPS, responsible for driving the strategic development and growth of both new and existing partnerships. Working in close collaboration with UNOPS groups, regional and country offices, PLG engages with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to advance the goals outlined in the UNOPS Strategic Plan. PLG comprises a network of liaison offices strategically located in Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, Tokyo, Rome, and Washington D.C., each responsible for managing relationships with designated key global partners. These offices also provide partner-specific advice and support to UNOPS offices at the operational level. A cross-cutting Partnerships Development Team, based in Copenhagen, provides strategic guidance, conducts partner intelligence and analysis, and develops tools and resources to enhance the outreach and positioning efforts of partnership colleagues worldwide.

About the Partnerships and Liaison Group

The Partnerships and Liaison Group (PLG) is a global functional entity within UNOPS, responsible for driving the strategic development and growth of both new and existing partnerships. Working in close collaboration with UNOPS groups, regional and country offices, PLG engages with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to advance the goals outlined in the UNOPS Strategic Plan. 

PLG comprises a network of liaison offices strategically located in Brussels, Copenhagen, , Tokyo, Rome, and Washington D.C., each responsible for managing relationships with designated key global partners. These offices also provide partner-specific advice and support to UNOPS offices at the operational level. 

A cross-cutting Partnerships Development Team, based in Copenhagen, provides strategic guidance, conducts partner intelligence and analysis, and develops tools and resources to enhance the outreach and positioning efforts of partnership colleagues worldwide

Job Specific Context:

The Gulf  Liaison Office represents UNOPS vis-à-vis the Governments of key Gulf States (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) as well as Gulf State-based partners including Multi-lateral Development Banks (MDBs), International Financial Institutions (IFIs), think tanks, academia, foundations, philanthropies, and other interlocutors.

The Director, Gulf  Liaison Office, provides strategic leadership for UNOPS’ engagement with Gulf-based stakeholders, including  Governments, MBDs, and other key partners. This role ensures that UNOPS is effectively positioned as a trusted implementation partner, influencing funding, policy, and strategic alignment at the highest levels. The incumbent leads partnership development, oversees the execution of engagement strategies, and advises senior UNOPS leadership. The role reports to the Director, Partnerships and Liaison Group.

1. Strategic Representation

• Lead institutional-level representation of UNOPS with Gulf Government leadership, MDB and IFI  executives, and senior officials of major foundations and multilateral institutions, influencing funding and policy frameworks relevant to UNOPS’ vision and mission while fostering trust, establishing networks and enhancing partnership dialogue.

• Represent UNOPS at senior level and strategically position UNOPS vis a vis the different branches of Government Administrations, MDBs, IFIs , foundations, philanthropies and other Gulf-based partners.

• In close coordination with UN Resident Coordinators, represent and engage on behalf of UNOPS in UN fora and Country Teams in support of shared development priorities. 

• Drive the long-term partnership vision for UNOPS' presence across the Gulf area, ensuring it reflects and anticipates shifts in global financing, public policy, and donor priorities.

• Coordinate UNOPS engagement across multiple stakeholder groups across the Gulf, including public, private, and philanthropic sectors, ensuring coherent and unified representation of organizational priorities across events, consultations, and institutional platforms.

• Support the PLG Director in establishing mechanisms for tracking and analyzing evolving development, climate, procurement and infrastructure priorities among Gulf-based institutions, feeding insights into UNOPS global planning and innovation processes.

• Champion UNOPS’ capabilities in high-level global platforms (e.g. MDB Annual Meetings, donor summits, UN Financing for Development fora), aligning organizational messaging with the priorities of  Gulf-based funders and policy shapers.

• Collaborate with other PLG and HQ teams to refine partnership frameworks, standardize engagement protocols with multilateral and bilateral institutions and promote cross-regional consistency in how partnerships are cultivated and maintained.

• Contribute to developing and maintaining governance mechanisms for high-risk portfolios funded by or linked to Gulf-based partners.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the PLG Director on implications of Gulf-based partners’ decisions on global partnership trends, geopolitical shifts, and emerging opportunities for financing, advocacy and organizational positioning.

1. Alliance Building, Networking and Advocacy for Partnerships

• Engage senior officials and counterparts on the new UNOPS Strategic Plan and new business/operating model, ensuring the UNOPS value proposition and drive for efficiency is integrated into partnership engagements.

• Elevate the UNOPS presence across the Gulf Area  and drive the formulation of a partnership vision and development and implementation of the UNOPS-Gulf partnership strategy, pursue partnership growth and diversification.

• Facilitate and/or lead senior level consultations with Governments and counterparts to institutionalize a dialogue that allows a deeper understanding of priorities, synergies and strategic partnership opportunities, as well as risks (financial, political, operational and reputational)

• Lead and support high-level partner consultations on financing modalities and non-traditional financing in support of driving global project solutions at scale.

• Serve as the counterpart for engaging Gulf-based counterparts on high-risk portfolios across the globe and leading on the joint identification of timely solutions and pathways, taking a pro-active role in early risk identification.

• Keep abreast of events that have an impact on UNOPS, including dynamics across the political and financial spectrum.

• Establish a close working relationship with and be an active contributing member of the resident United Nations team present in respective Gulf countries. Take the lead in coordinating with the representatives of the resident UN agencies, funds and programmes.

• Provide advice and assistance to Executive Management, the PLG Director and Regional Directors, regarding partnerships and future trends.

• Participate in key partnership building meetings and ensure their systematic and timely follow-up. Represent UNOPS in strategic and relevant Gulf-based partner-specific conferences.

• Facilitate high-level meetings between senior management of UNOPS and the respective Administrations, MDB’s, IFI’s and other key stakeholders. Ensure well informed and researched dialogue is facilitated.

• Establish annual targets in support of the new 2026-2029 UNOPS Strategic Plan and business/operating model.

• In close cooperation with the UNOPS Communications Group (CG) and PLG, propose and co-develop relevant information and visibility materials to promote and advocate for UNOPS with governments and other Gulf-based partners.

1. People Leadership

• Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability in the Gulf Liaison Office.

• Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.

• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity, by providing timely guidance and supervision to the team, to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

• Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible and diverse workforce, with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance.

• Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS personnel and their eligible dependents, assets, property and information in line with UNOPS security management rules and the UN Security Management System Policy manual.

      4. Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Lead sharing of knowledge related to key partners across the organization, including identification and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned with a view of continuous improvement of partner engagement in the field.

• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continuously incorporating best practice approaches.

• Support the planning, implementation and organization of capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.

• Share knowledge with peers in regional and country teams and other HQ groups to ensure a corporate coordinated delivery of services and synergies.

• Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline or related fields with 12 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 10 years of relevant experience is required

Required

• Relevant experience is work in strategic and managerial leadership in international development, business development, operations and/or programme management in  a large international or corporate organization.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.

• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

• Experience of partnering with the public sector on developing, implementing and evaluating projects and programmes of significant national relevance is desired.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.