Strategic Partnerships and Innovative Financing Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to advancing the rights and health of women and young people, and it plays a crucial role in the implementation of the Programme of Action from the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). UNFPA's mission is to ensure that every individual has access to reproductive health services and that gender equality is achieved globally. The organization emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships and innovative financing to achieve its goals and adapt to the changing global landscape.

Job Overview:
The Strategic Partnerships and Innovative Financing Advisor will play a pivotal role in leading the transformation of UNFPA's partnerships and resource mobilization functions. This position is critical in ensuring that advocacy, financing, and external engagement are aligned to maximize influence and mobilize diverse resources to advance UNFPA's mandate at both regional and country levels. The advisor will work closely with program units to identify and diversify funding sources, particularly from private sector and philanthropic institutions, while also focusing on leveraging partnerships with International Financing Institutions, including Islamic financing. The role requires a strategic mindset to navigate the complexities of global funding landscapes and to implement innovative financing strategies that align with UNFPA's objectives for the 2026-2029 Strategic Plan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Integrated Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy: Reposition the regional partnerships function to integrate financing, advocacy, and visibility objectives. Conduct risk assessments for potential partnerships and develop mitigation measures. Ensure coherent messaging and coordinated engagement with external stakeholders, including governments and civil society. Strengthen UNFPA's influence in regional intergovernmental bodies and expand engagement with various partners. Develop coalitions of partners and donors to support UNFPA's strategic outcomes.
• Strategic Advice and Coordination: Provide high-level advice on partnership trends and opportunities to the Regional Senior Management Team. Act as a liaison with Headquarters divisions to ensure coherence between global and regional strategies. Coordinate regional contributions to global dialogues on partnerships and financing. Provide technical guidance and support to Country Offices, enhancing their capacity for resource mobilization.
• Donor Diversification and Innovative Financing: Lead the design and execution of strategies for donor diversification, targeting non-traditional donors and innovative financing opportunities. Forge partnerships with financial actors to leverage new resources, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council region. Support Country Offices in structuring innovative financing initiatives.
• Resource Mobilization and Coalition-Building: Enhance the region's ability to mobilize resources and build coalitions. Provide technical support to Country Offices on resource mobilization and donor engagement. Oversee donor reporting and ensure high-quality advocacy products. Track financing trends and advise leadership on emerging opportunities.
• Knowledge Management and Capacity Development: Capture and disseminate lessons learned on partnerships and financing. Develop guidance and training materials for Country Offices. Mentor partnerships and communications staff to strengthen their capacity.
• Innovation and Digital Engagement: Deploy digital platforms to expand financing opportunities and promote innovative approaches to coalition-building and advocacy.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in economics, finance, business administration, international relations, public policy, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in partnerships, resource mobilization, or financing in international development.
• Intimate knowledge of Islamic financing and experience working with private sector and philanthropic organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in innovative financing and donor diversification.
• Proven track record in high-level external engagement and political advocacy.
• Experience leveraging digital technologies for partnerships or financing is desirable.
• UN system or multilateral experience is an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as economics, finance, business administration, international relations, or public policy. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of partnerships and financing in the context of international development.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in partnerships, resource mobilization, or financing within the international development sector. Candidates should have a deep understanding of the funding landscape, particularly in relation to Islamic financing and engagement with private sector and philanthropic organizations. Experience in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries is considered an asset, as is a demonstrated ability to engage in high-level advocacy and political dialogue.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position. Knowledge of another UN language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and partners across different regions.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other applicable benefits. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, and integrity, and encourages applications from women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the recruitment process. The organization emphasizes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates.