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 Offices (UN RCO) play a crucial role in this reform, supporting countries in meeting their development priorities and the SDGs. The UN RCO operates under the guidance of an independent UN Resident Coordinator, who is the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System at the country level. The organization is committed to promoting sustainable development and operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on collaboration and partnerships to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Partnerships Officer position is a fixed-term limited role located in the UN Resident Coordination Office in Banjul, Gambia. The incumbent will report to the Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader. The primary functions of this role include providing substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of UN Country Team (UNCT) strategic partnerships aimed at achieving the SDGs. The officer will guide the development and implementation of the UN Partnership Strategy, coordinate working groups for effective strategy implementation, and liaise with various UN entities to foster partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society. The role also involves advising the Resident Coordinator and UNCT on risks and opportunities related to partnerships, conducting due diligence on potential investments, and developing tailored partnerships to support local needs and priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Partnerships Officer will be responsible for a range of duties, including:

• Providing substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of UNCT strategic partnerships for SDG achievement, including guidance on the UN Partnership Strategy and coordination of working groups.
• Advising on resource mobilization strategies and initiatives for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, monitoring existing partnerships, and facilitating joint programming processes.
• Collaborating with the Resident Coordinator Office Economist and UNCT finance experts to promote partnerships that support financing for development.
• Conducting knowledge management and capacity development activities related to partnerships and resource mobilization, including research and analysis of best practices.
• Collecting and analyzing data to identify trends and provide insights for decision-making.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic support for partnerships, project/programme management, resource mobilization, or development finance. Experience in developing and implementing partnership and resource mobilization strategies is essential, along with experience in supporting financing for SDGs. Desirable qualifications include two or more years of experience in data analytics or a related area. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, planning and organizing skills, teamwork, and leadership abilities.

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 considered an advantage.

Experience:
The position requires at least seven years of relevant experience in providing strategic support to partnerships, project/programme management, resource mobilization, or development finance. Candidates should have a proven track record in developing and implementing partnership strategies and supporting financing for SDGs. Experience in data analytics or related fields is desirable but not mandatory.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this position. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French, and 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 period of one year, subject to availability of funds and budgetary approval. The position may be renewed based on the continued existence of the mandate and availability of funding. The UN Secretariat is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Internal applicants must ensure their profiles are complete and up to date. The UN does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.