New Strategic Partnerships Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the lead United Nations agency on international development, established over six decades ago. UNDP operates in 170 countries and territories, focusing on improving lives for millions of people worldwide. The organization’s mission is to support countries in their progress towards high human development while protecting the planet. UNDP’s Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 outlines four strategic objectives: prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience, and a healthy planet, all underpinned by a commitment to human rights and leaving no one behind. The Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) leads UNDP's efforts to build strategic relationships and alliances, ensuring strong political and financial backing for the organization’s mission.

Job Overview:
The New Strategic Partnerships Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of UNDP’s New Strategic Partnerships (NSP) Strategy. This includes managing work plans, monitoring strategic targets, resource mobilization, communications, and knowledge management. The specialist will work closely with regional and global teams to align partner interests with UNDP priorities, facilitating partnership opportunities and engagements. The role requires a cross-functional approach, collaborating with various teams to enhance relationship building, visibility, and communication efforts. The position is designed to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve strategic goals, recognizing the interconnected nature of global development challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Partnership Development, Portfolio Management and Strategic Analysis: Contribute to the design and implementation of partner engagement strategies, define priorities, objectives, and KPIs. Analyze intelligence to identify trends and assess political and socio-economic contexts for partnership opportunities. Engage proactively with partners, providing analytical inputs and strategic advice to senior management. Collaborate with the Communications Group to shape outreach materials that reinforce UNDP’s mandate.
• Support to Core and Non-Core Resource Mobilization: Facilitate structured partner engagements, prepare for Annual Consultations, and provide analytical inputs on funding trends. Monitor resource mobilization trends and evaluate project initiatives to support informed decision-making. Coordinate knowledge management and technical guidance in support of government development financing strategies.
• Coordination and Institutional Interface: Develop and implement communications and visibility initiatives in coordination with relevant teams. Operationalize partnership framework processes and provide technical inputs for funding analyses and partnership risk assessments. Promote integrated ways of working across global locations.
• Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: Design and deliver training materials for partnership and resource mobilization. Enhance UNDP’s partner knowledge repository and codify lessons learned from partner engagements. Support high-level corporate events and initiatives as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, International Affairs, Political Science, Public Policy, or related fields. A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be considered in lieu of a master’s degree.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in partnerships development, resource mobilization, and development cooperation, or 7 years with a bachelor’s degree. Experience in managing strategic partnerships and resource mobilization initiatives is essential. Proven experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives and preparing substantive documentation is required. Experience with government development financing at the country or regional level is desired.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in relevant fields such as International Development, International Affairs, Political Science, or Public Policy. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) combined with additional qualifying experience may be accepted. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of international development and partnerships.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with a Master’s degree or 7 years with a Bachelor’s degree. Candidates should have substantial experience in partnerships development, resource mobilization, and development cooperation, particularly in South-South and Triangular cooperation. Experience in managing strategic partnerships and engaging with government counterparts and donors is essential. Familiarity with government development financing and supporting high-level corporate events is also desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. A working knowledge of another UN language, such as Spanish or French, is considered an asset and is desirable for effective communication in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of a tiered application process, open to UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff and external candidates. The role does not have supervisory responsibilities. UNDP is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. The organization does not tolerate harassment or discrimination and ensures a safe and inclusive workplace. Selected candidates will undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to UNDP’s standards and principles.