Senior Advisor, Planning and Partnerships

Regional Offices are responsible for the setting the strategic direction and positioning of UNOPS programming in the region and for providing technical and strategic leadership, advisory services and operational support to Multi Country Offices (MCOs), Country Offices (COs) and Project Offices (POs) to achieve results.

The Senior Advisor, Planning and Partnerships reports to the Regional Director who provides broad supervision and guidance. The role is responsible for providing strategic and substantive advice to the Regional Director, with particular focus on regional programming and partnerships strategy, regional positioning, and UN regional-level coordination.

1. Planning, partnerships, and regional positioning

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

3. Regional strategic advisory

4. Knowledge Management and innovation.

• Lead the development and implementation of the regional strategy and the related action plans;

• Take lead on advising the Regional Director on strengthening of strategic relations with national institutions, governmental authorities, donors, international and implementing partners, UN entities, and other key stakeholders;

• Lead and coordinate on UNOPS positioning as a partner of choice in the Middle East region, ensuring UNOPS’ contributions to Our Common Agenda and operational sustainability;

• Lead the organization of strategic partnership events and coordinate UNOPS substantive participation to advance UNOPS mandate and to enhance UNOPS visibility at the regional and country level;

• Establish strong working relationships with key UN and government partners, as well as existing and potential donors;

• As delegated, participate in meetings with Government counterparts on behalf of UNOPS, and represent the Regional Director in the relevant inter-agency regional coordination forums;

• Facilitate and lead on the substantive preparations of high-level meetings and missions for UNOPS senior management;

• Lead and coordinate the UNOPS engagement in the inter-agency regional coordination forums and provide strategic advice to the Regional Director on UNOPS positioning in regional coordination;

• As requested by the Regional Director, participate in and report on the relevant coordination meetings, working groups, task-forces, Issue Based Coalitions (IBCs) etc.

•  Serve as the regional focal point for corporate initiatives related to partnerships and strategic positioning, including the Partner Survey, and lead on the regional-level implementation, follow-up, and related action plans;

• Coordinate with relevant UNOPS HQ units, to ensure prioritization, alignment and coherent interactions with the region; actively engage with internal stakeholders and HQ units to make sure that country and regional perspectives are reflected in HQ-led initiatives

Regional Strategic Advisory

• Provide advice on partnerships and programme development in the Middle East region to the Regional Director, including through assessments, research, consultations and field missions;

• Together with the Regional Management and Oversight Advisor, provide additional support to regional strategic partnerships such as WB and KfW, and take part in appraisal to ensure adherence to corporate requirements.

• Support ongoing UNOPS partnerships and project delivery initiatives in the Middle East region with the aim of expanding on UNOPS’ existing engagements;

• Provide support to the MCOs and COs on negotiation of new engagements, initiatives and activities;

• Keep abreast of organizational changes to make recommendations on regional strategy and approaches to management of regional project portfolio and delivery of results.

• Provide advice and guidance to the MCOs and COs on development of new concept notes, project proposals and other knowledge products to help take potential partnerships forward;

• Lead the negotiations of regional-level MOUs with partners and facilitate maintenance of existing modalities in place;

• Support rollout of the relevant projects and operational activities in the Middle East region, as appropriate and relevant for partnerships purposes, and in collaboration where required with the respective UN and host government authorities;

• Coordinate and maintain regular communication with all offices in the region and on their needs and requests for support

• Contribute to the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximize UNOPS’ operational effectiveness while sustaining results.

• Actively engage with the relevant HQ units as well as the regional portfolios, to capture and provide a synthesis of best practice, lessons learned and ensure harmonization of practices across the region.

• Facilitate and encourage the sharing of information, knowledge and best practices across the region and globally

• Contribute to the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders for strategic business development and engagement.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) is required. Preferably in international relations, international development, public administration, social sciences, or other related fields.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• A minimum of 10 years of international development sector and/or humanitarian sector organization experience is required.
• Previous experience in the Middle East region is required. Field experience is preferred.
• At least 7 years of experience in project development partnerships, and/or donor relations.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience working with a network of UN agencies, development partners, governments and donors is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in developing and negotiating programmes and/or projects is required.
• Previous experience in the UN system and inter-agency coordination is preferred.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• 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.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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. For more information on a retainer contract 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.

Contract type: Fixed Term Staff  Contract level: P5
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability'