Partnership Senior Officer

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 aims to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of these projects by providing essential services. It operates as a central resource for the UN, offering project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to various governments, donors, and UN organizations. In Mozambique, UNOPS plays a crucial role in helping partners achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by delivering services such as fund management, administrative support, and infrastructure development. The Mozambique Project Office is part of the East and Southern Africa Multi Country Office (ESAMCO) management structure, focusing on strategic and operational risk management while contributing to sustainable results for its partners.

Job Overview:
The Partnership Senior Officer will be instrumental in strengthening UNOPS's presence in Mozambique by developing projects and fostering relationships with key stakeholders. This role involves identifying funding opportunities from various sources, including governments, NGOs, and the private sector. The officer will collaborate with the country manager and project managers to create expressions of interest, concept notes, and proposals for new projects, ensuring that all necessary budgets and costs are prepared. Additionally, the officer will be responsible for developing communication materials to promote UNOPS's initiatives and engage with potential partners. This position requires a proactive approach to research and analysis of donor focus areas and funding cycles, as well as maintaining an updated engagement pipeline and tracking sheets. The officer will also support project managers by reviewing progress reports and internal communications, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and engaged in the process.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify funding opportunities from governments, international/national agencies, multilateral institutions, NGOs, foundations, and the private sector.
• Collaborate with the country manager and project managers to develop expressions of interest, concept notes, and proposals for new projects, including preparing budgets and cost estimates.
• Create new engagements in the ERP system and facilitate the internal approval process with the support of the Partnerships Development Office (PDO).
• Develop and design communication materials such as factsheets, presentations, and capacity statements to drive advocacy and outreach initiatives.
• Coordinate and participate in meetings with donors and partners, producing high-quality meeting minutes and action-oriented summaries.
• Maintain and update engagement pipeline tracking sheets, meeting records, and other relevant tools.
• Conduct research and analysis on donor focus areas and funding cycles to identify opportunities for partnerships in Mozambique.
• Support project managers and the country manager by reviewing progress reports and other communications as needed.
• Liaise with the ESAMCO PDO team and participate in partnership events and meetings. 1
• Update and develop advocacy materials and keep UNINFO up-to-date as required. 1
• Build a network of key partners and stay informed about social, economic, and political trends. 1
• Perform necessary tasks as the lead developer for new engagements and maintain a repository of donors and funding cycles. 1
• Travel to Pemba as required for project-related activities.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, management, international affairs, political science, development studies, or related fields with at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
• Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree with an additional 4 years of relevant work experience may be accepted.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in program management, international development, partnerships, or resource mobilization is required.
• Experience in stakeholder management and partner engagement is desired.
• Strong proposal and report writing skills are highly desired, along with experience in business development and partner management.
• Proficiency in computer and office software packages, including spreadsheet and database applications.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as economics, management, international affairs, political science, or development studies. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree combined with 4 years of relevant work experience may be acceptable in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of experience in program management, international development, partnerships, or resource mobilization. Experience in stakeholder management and partner engagement is preferred, along with a strong background in proposal writing and business development.

Languages:
Full working knowledge of English is mandatory. Proficiency in Portuguese is highly desirable, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The contract type for this position is an International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA), specifically at the IICA 9 / ICS 9 level. The contract duration is open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and encourages applications from qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups. The organization is committed to equal employment opportunities and aims to create an inclusive working environment. Candidates should be aware that UNOPS conducts background checks on all potential personnel, and recruitment is contingent on the results of these checks.