Partnerships Development Specialist (retainer position)

The UNOPS Republic of Serbia Multi Country Office (RSMCO) is implementing 15 projects in Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Ukraine. 
In Serbia, where UNOPS has been active since 2000, and North Macedonia and Montenegro where UNOPS works since 2017, the organisation provides support in demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union. The projects focus on sustainable socio-economic development, good governance, social cohesion, environment and emergency response. The projects are implemented with the funding from the European Union (EU), Kingdom of Norway, Governments of Switzerland, Sweden and North Macedonia.

In Ukraine, UNOPS support to the partners in their reform agenda since 2017 spans the rule of law, social protection, demining, emergency response and security. The projects are funded by the EU, UNHCR, the Governments of Japan and Canada.

All projects have gender equality as a transversal theme, and have been contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives.

• Carry out a review and analysis of relevant national development strategies and relevant documents, strategies and programmes of international institutions active in the region of the Western Balkans and North Macedonia in particular, United Nations framework documents, other reference materials to understand the country context;
• Collect, analyse and keep abreast of development and humanitarian trends and needs, as well as business development intelligence and opportunities within UNOPS’ mandate;
• Identify funding sources in the Republic of North Macedonia, spanning multilateral and bilateral donors, international financial institutions (IFIs) and other institutions for the purpose of developing business opportunities within UNOPS thematic scope;
• Contribute on the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects and programmes;
• Support UNOPS efforts in developing business opportunities with potential partners, using existing information and materials, as well as inputs from and relevant to substantive discussions between UNOPS and partners;
• Draft and prepare concept notes, proposals and project briefs for discussions with partners, both unsolicited and solicited, based on the collected intelligence and substantive inputs provided by UNOPS team;
• Support UNOPS in establishment and maintaining relations with North Macedonia based clients, government departments, non-governmental actors, international financial institutions’ (IFIs) and other donors’ in-country offices through continuous networking and communications to identify and pursue business opportunities within UNOPS thematic scope initiating the necessary associated arrangements;
• Interact with existing and potential partners and clients to follow-up on meetings, decisions and commitments as well as to solicit feedback and gauge client satisfaction.
• Provide support in promoting visibility of UNOPS’ activities in North Macedonia, including the development and distribution of marketing, communication and partner relationship management materials.

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in project management, business administration, international relations, development studies, social science, engineering, environmental studies or related fields is required.
• Relevant first university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) with an additional two years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• Minimum five years of relevant work experience in business development, project development or project management in the region is required;
• International experience and experience working with the UN system is a distinct advantage;
• Experience in working on similar assignments in the Western Balkans, in particular in North Macedonia, will be considered as an advantage.

• Fluency in English and Macedonian (speaking, reading and writing) is required

• Excellent communication, networking and presentation skills
• Excellent research and drafting skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Good time management skills
• Knowledge of donor trends, rules and regulations of major international and regional donors 
• Strong networks with partners

This is a local position, it is therefore open to Nationals of North Macedonia and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.
Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) - retainer
Contract level: Local ICA, Level 10
Contract duration: Up to 50 working days until the year end, with the possibility of extension

• 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.

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.