Partnerships Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development System was restructured on January 1, 2019, under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Resident Coordinator’s Offices (UN RCO) play a crucial role in supporting countries to meet their development priorities and achieve the SDGs. The UN RCO in Azerbaijan operates under the guidance of an independent UN Resident Coordinator, who is the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System in the country. This organization is committed to fostering partnerships and collaboration among various stakeholders to facilitate sustainable development.

Job Overview:
The Partnerships Officer will be stationed in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Baku, Azerbaijan, and will report to the Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader. The primary function of this role is to provide substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of UN Country Team (UNCT) partnerships with civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders. The officer will assist in the development and implementation of the UN Partnership Strategy, ensuring alignment with the UN Azerbaijan Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. This position requires active participation in joint partnership and resource mobilization initiatives, supporting the UNCT in developing tailored resource mobilization strategies and monitoring existing partnerships. The officer will also work closely with the Resident Coordinator and the Head of RCO to enhance development partners' coordination mechanisms in Azerbaijan, promoting financing for the SDGs and contributing to knowledge management and capacity development related to partnerships and resource mobilization.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of UNCT partnerships with civil society and the private sector.
• Advise on the development and implementation of the UN Partnership Strategy.
• Support the establishment of a UNCT working group for effective strategy implementation and monitoring.
• Conduct liaison and coordination with UN entities to define a value proposition for local partnerships.
• Assist the Resident Coordinator and UNCT in identifying risks and opportunities related to partnerships.
• Provide inputs on due diligence processes for potential investment opportunities.
• Participate in joint partnership and resource mobilization initiatives for the UN Azerbaijan Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
• Monitor and analyze existing resource mobilization partnerships and relationships.
• Support the design of joint programs for resource mobilization. 1
• Provide secretariat support to development partners’ coordination forums. 1
• Advise on corporate policies for effective resource management. 1
• Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing within the UN system. 1
• Conduct research and analysis on best practices in partnerships and resource mobilization. 1
• Collect and analyze data to identify trends and provide insights for decision-making.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, education, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is an advantage. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of sustainable development theories and concepts, as well as the ability to conduct independent research and analysis.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in a relevant field is required. A first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be accepted. Completion of programs in data analytics or related fields is advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates should have experience in preparing project/program proposals and developing and implementing partnership and resource mobilization strategies. Experience in supporting financing for the SDGs is desirable, along with at least two years of work experience in data analytics or a related area.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Azerbaijani is required for this position. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is considered an advantage. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, understanding).

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term limited position with an initial appointment for one year, subject to availability of funds and budgetary approval. The position is open to nationals of Azerbaijan only, and candidates residing outside Azerbaijan may be considered if no suitable local candidates are found. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. All applicants must adhere to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, and the recruitment process is free of charge.