UN Partnerships Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations, addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN Development System has undergone significant reforms to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO) play a crucial role in supporting countries in their development priorities, ensuring that the UN's efforts are aligned with national needs and goals. The UN operates in numerous countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to various missions and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The UN Partnerships Officer is a pivotal role within the UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in San Jose, Costa Rica. This position is responsible for providing strategic support and advice to the Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team (UNCT) in fostering partnerships that advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The officer will assist in the development and implementation of the UN Partnership Strategy, ensuring alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The role involves engaging with various stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, and government entities, to create a collaborative environment that promotes sustainable development. The Partnerships Officer will also support resource mobilization efforts, helping to secure funding and resources necessary for the successful implementation of development initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Partnerships Officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Assisting with strategic planning and coordination of UNCT partnerships for SDG achievement, providing advice on the UN Partnership Strategy, and supporting the development of a national partnership strategy.
• Supporting resource mobilization efforts by developing tailored strategies for the Cooperation Framework, analyzing funding streams, and preparing proposals for joint programs.
• Collaborating with the RCO Economist and finance experts to promote partnerships that support financing for development, including preparing briefing papers and engaging with stakeholders.
• Promoting knowledge management and capacity development related to partnerships and resource mobilization, including researching best practices and maintaining a knowledge repository of potential donors.
• Collecting and analyzing data to identify trends and provide insights for decision-making and reporting.
• Performing other duties as required to support the UN's mission and objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in sustainable development, project management, and partnership building. Required qualifications include:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, education, or a related field.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in strategic support to partnerships, project/programme management, and resource mobilization in development cooperation.
• Proven experience in developing strategic partnerships across various sectors, including government, private sector, and civil society organizations.
• Familiarity with inclusion strategies that promote gender equality, youth participation, and the inclusion of persons with disabilities is desirable.
• Experience in designing and implementing partnerships and resource mobilization strategies is essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, or education. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in areas such as strategic support to partnerships, project/programme management, and resource mobilization within the context of development cooperation. Candidates should have a proven track record in developing strategic partnerships and experience in designing and implementing resource mobilization strategies. Experience in UN interagency coordination and familiarity with financing for SDGs and innovative finance is desirable. Additionally, international experience, particularly in high-income countries, is beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Spanish is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both languages at UN Level III. Knowledge of French is an asset but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term position with an initial appointment period of one year, subject to availability of funds and budgetary approval. The position is open to nationals of Costa Rica only, and candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidates are identified, Costa Rican nationals residing elsewhere may be considered. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be provided upon request.