Partnerships Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations, and to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN Development System has undergone significant reforms to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO) play a crucial role in supporting countries to achieve their development priorities and the SDGs, with the UN Resident Coordinator serving as the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System at the country level. The UN operates in numerous countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to various missions and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Partnerships Officer position is a fixed-term limited role located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The incumbent will report to the Head of Office and will be responsible for providing substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of UN Country Team (UNCT) strategic partnerships with civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The role involves advising on the development and implementation of the UN Partnership Strategy, supporting resource mobilization initiatives, and promoting partnerships that drive financing for development. The officer will also contribute to knowledge management and capacity development related to partnerships and resource mobilization at the country level, ensuring effective engagement with various stakeholders to enhance the UN's impact in Mauritania.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the provision of substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of UNCT strategic partnerships, including advice on the development and implementation of the UN Partnership Strategy, and support for monitoring and assessment of the strategy.
• Participate in joint partnership and resource mobilization initiatives, providing support for the management of pooled funds for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
• Work closely with the Resident Coordinator Office Economist and other UN country team finance experts to promote partnerships that support financing for the SDGs.
• Contribute to knowledge management and capacity development relating to partnerships and resource mobilization at the country level, including research and analysis of best practices.
• Other duties as assigned, including data collection and analysis to support decision-making and reporting.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of sustainable development theories, concepts, and approaches. They should demonstrate the ability to identify and develop sources for data collection, undertake research, analyze data, and make recommendations. Professionalism, planning and organizing skills, and teamwork are essential competencies for this role. The candidate should also be able to incorporate gender perspectives and ensure equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, education, or a related area is required. 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.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in developing strategic partnerships with International Financial Institutions (IFIs), UN agencies, policymakers, Technical and Financial Partners (TFP), and the private sector is required. Experience in designing and managing multi-stakeholder programs, with a good understanding of UN/PTF coordination mechanisms, is essential. Knowledge of Multi Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) and innovative financing mechanisms is also required. Demonstrated experience in project proposal writing and familiarity with the Mauritania context is desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in French and Arabic is required for this position, with working knowledge of English being desirable. 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), while knowledge is rated as 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term limited position with an initial appointment period of one year, subject to availability of funds and budgetary approval. The position is open to nationals of Mauritania only, and candidates residing outside Mauritania may be considered if no suitable local candidates are identified. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be provided upon request.