Partnerships Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, established to support the successful implementation of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects globally. UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to various governments, donors, and UN organizations. The UNOPS Hub for West Africa, based in Dakar, oversees operations in multiple countries including Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Senegal, and extends its reach to other nations such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Togo, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Gambia. Over the years, UNOPS has built strong relationships with West African governments and international partners, providing technical support in strategic areas like elections, procurement capacity building, environmental protection, and infrastructure development.

Job Overview:
The Partnerships Advisor serves as the senior Partnerships Development Lead for the Multi-Country Office, managing and advising other partnerships officers and related roles. Reporting to the Multi-Country Office Director, the Partnerships Advisor is part of the Office Senior Management Team and is responsible for developing and implementing a sub-regional partnerships development strategy and coordinating donor and client activities. This role involves conducting situation analyses, donor mapping, and program development in collaboration with existing and potential partners, including national governments, UN agencies, donors, and NGOs. The Partnerships Advisor is tasked with identifying partnership opportunities aligned with UNOPS’s mandate and role within the UN system, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement and collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Integrated Partnerships Development Strategy: Lead the development of a comprehensive partnerships strategy aligned with UNOPS’s Strategic Plan and regional strategies, advising senior management on its implementation and identifying key partners and operational niches.
• Partnerships Development and Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with UNOPS’s strategic objectives and facilitating high-level meetings and negotiations.
• Partner Relations and Inter-Agency Collaboration: Represent UNOPS in meetings with government counterparts and participate in inter-agency planning for UN development and humanitarian initiatives.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Ensure that projects adhere to Results Based Management principles, develop monitoring frameworks, and prepare timely reports on partnerships development.
• Project Identification, Formulation, and Support: Guide partnership officers in identifying priority themes and opportunities, supporting project formulation and negotiations.
• Team/Unit Leadership: Lead and motivate the partnerships team, ensuring effective communication and collaboration across departments.
• Knowledge Management and Innovation: Implement best practices in partnership and project development, contributing to the ongoing improvement of UNOPS’s capabilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, Political Science, Communications, or International Relations. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree combined with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted. Candidates should have at least 7 years of progressive experience in partnerships development, resource mobilization, and donor relations within international development contexts, including experience in project development and proposal writing. A minimum of 3 years in team supervision and 2 years providing strategic advice to management is required. Experience in project and program management, as well as inter-agency coordination within the UN System, is essential, with knowledge of infrastructure and procurement projects being desirable.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, Political Science, Communications, or International Relations is required. A Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in partnerships development, resource mobilization, and donor relations within international development, post-disaster, or humanitarian contexts. This includes experience in developing and executing partnerships and program development plans, project development, proposal writing, and project acquisition. At least 3 years of experience in team supervision and 2 years in providing strategic advice to management are required. Project and program management experience is an asset, and inter-agency coordination experience within the UN System is essential.

Languages:
Full working knowledge of English and French is essential for this position. Fluency in one or more additional official UNOPS languages is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The position is offered under an International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) or Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) at the ICS-11 / IICA-3 level. The contract duration is indefinite, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of resources, and organizational priorities. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and encourages qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. The organization conducts background checks on all potential personnel, and recruitment is contingent on the results of these checks. Candidates are advised that applications received after the closing date will not be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments.