Partnerships Specialist

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau (CB) guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery. The Bureau has the responsibility for support to prevention, crisis response, resilience and recovery work under the auspices of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. Crisis Bureau staff provide global strategic advice to UNDP management and technical advice to regional hubs and Country Offices; advocate for UNDP corporate messages, represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora, and engage in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. As part of the Global Policy Network (GPN), the Crisis Bureau works in an integrated manner with UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) ensuring that issues are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes.

As part of the Joint Directorate for the Global Policy Network, with secondary supervision line to the Deputy Director of the Crisis Bureau, working closely with all teams in CB and BPPS as needed and with the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), the Partnership Specialist will be responsible for the following:

• Strategic advocacy and partnership development
• Support the mobilization of non-core resources
• Effective Internal and External Partnership Relations
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Strategic advocacy and partnership development

• Advise CB senior management on developing new, innovative partnerships for UNDP;
• In close collaboration with the GPN/CB substantive teams, support the development of partnership and advocacy strategy, ensuring that it is coherent with corporate strategies and tailored to each major donor in the areas of crisis and fragility;
• Ensure that new substantive engagements with partners and related agreements are in line with UNDP rules and regulations, meet quality expectations, and support UNDP’s achievement of the Strategic Plan;
• Contribute to providing strategic policy recommendations and advocacy support with a view to positioning UNDP in areas related to crisis and fragility in close coordination with the communications function;
• In collaboration with BERA and Regional Bureau as relevant, support the development and implementation of corporate initiatives, including corporate strategies tailored to specific partners;
• Develop and oversee partnership management and resource mobilization tracking mechanisms;
• Analyze partners and donor policies, strategies and trends in areas relevant to the Crisis Bureau;
• Work with Regional Bureaus, BERA and CB relevant teams to advise and support Country Offices responding to crisis on partnership and resource mobilisation opportunities.

Support to the mobilization of non-core resources:

• Identify and develop new opportunities for non-core resource mobilization and advise CB senior management, CB Team Leaders on appropriate strategies and approaches to seize these opportunities;
• Support opportunities for strategic and coherent resource mobilization for UNDP’s Governance, Peacebuilding, Crisis and Resilience Funding Window and UNDP’s Global Projects hosted by CB;
• Support the conceptualization and formulation of concept notes, proposals and other requested documents, and ensure appropriate follow-up;
• Support engagement and negotiations with partners in relation to resource mobilization;
• Work closely with relevant teams, the GPN Joint Directorate and BERA in relation to reporting (compliance with reporting requirements and quality reporting).

Effective Internal and External Partnership Relations:

• Based on in-depth knowledge of UNDP’s work in crisis and fragility, identify targeted interventions to mobilize support for UNDP’s portfolio and positively influence donor countries’ funding decisions;
• Builds, nurtures and maintains effective internal and external working relations within UNDP, including relevant Representation Offices responsible for specific donor countries;
• Develop, nurture and manage relations with multi-lateral and bi-lateral partners, IFIs, the private sector, UN entities, Member States Permanent Missions, civil society organizations;
• Engage in and support the organization of relevant events, such as recovery and reconstruction international conferences, thematic events, etc.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

• Identify and formulate lessons learned and recommendations to be integrated into broader knowledge management efforts.
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Facilitate partnership/ resource mobilization capacity-building and knowledge-sharing in coordination with relevant teams in CB and other relevant units in UNDP.

Core Competencies

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work         

Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow       

Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery

Ability to get things done           

Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Technical/Functional Competencies

Substantive positioning of UNDP

Knowledge of global institutions (such as the UN, IFIs), processes, good grasp of UNDP’s positioning, and ability to engage and foster strong networks with those institutions

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Multilateral Affairs

Knowledge of multilateral agencies (OECD, IFIs, EU, Regional Development Banks, etc.), including respective mandates and ways of working        

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Negotiation

Ability to reach understanding, resolve point of difference, or gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Partnerships

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships    

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Resource Mobilization

Understanding of donor priorities, strategies and funding architecture, ability to prepare funding proposals           

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Substantive Networking

Ability to substantively engage and foster networks with member states, IFIs, UN partners, academia, research institutions, and think tanks    

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Trends and Emerging Areas Analytics

Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design         

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Representation

Ability to productively share UNDP knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues)

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Education:

• Master’s Degree in development studies, economics, political science, social sciences or related field

Experience:      

• At least seven years of professional development related work experience at the national or international level on issues related to crisis and fragility;
• Proven experience in donor relation and resource mobilization;
• Proven experience in strategy development, partnership relations at the international level; specialized experience in development financing an asset;
• Knowledge and understanding UN/UNDP’s mandate in crisis and fragility.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of English, as well as writing, presentation and communication skills;
• Knowledge of at least one other UN language highly desirable.

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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