Partnerships Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, established to oversee the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, focuses on fragile and conflict-affected settings. With a workforce of more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices in Africa, it aims to advance national priorities through strategic initiatives in various sectors including Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, and Peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security. The office promotes excellence in project delivery and fosters knowledge sharing to contribute to sustainable infrastructure and better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Job Overview:
The Partnerships Specialist is tasked with driving strategic growth by building key relationships, mobilizing resources, and expanding the office's portfolio to achieve sustainable development results. Reporting to the Multi Country Office Director, the role involves developing and implementing partnership development plans, supporting communications plans for Zimbabwe and other Southern African countries, and supervising Communications and Partnership personnel. The position is crucial for ensuring that partnership initiatives align with UNOPS’ global and regional priorities, contributing to sustainable results and the achievement of strategic objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Partnerships Specialist will develop a comprehensive partnership development plan that aligns with UNOPS Strategic Plan and Regional Strategies. This includes analyzing the regional and national development landscape, identifying main partners, and proposing responses to ensure sustainable growth. The role also involves monitoring humanitarian and development trends to identify collaboration areas, drafting agreements for new projects, and establishing partnerships with various stakeholders including UN agencies and NGOs. Additionally, the specialist will participate in inter-agency meetings, advocate for UNOPS initiatives, and contribute to knowledge management and innovation within the team.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, or related disciplines. A combination of a Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the educational requirements. The role requires strong skills in partnership development, project management, and proposal writing, as well as the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in a relevant field is required, with acceptable alternatives including a Bachelor's degree combined with additional relevant work experience. This educational background ensures that candidates have the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to perform effectively in the role.

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of experience in international development is required, with demonstrated experience in developing and executing partnership and programme development plans, project development, and proposal writing. Experience in establishing partnerships with UN agencies and international organizations is essential, while prior work in post-disaster and emergency contexts is considered an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing communication with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as mid-level with an ICS Level of 10 and is offered as an Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) with a regular contract type. The contract duration is open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups. The recruitment process includes background checks to ensure compliance with organizational standards.