Partnerships Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UNOPS Madagascar was established in 2022 and is currently expanding its operations. The organization provides services through its main office located in Antananarivo and has opened branch offices in several regions across Madagascar. UNOPS Madagascar aims to support the Government of Madagascar by utilizing funding from both multilateral and bilateral donors. The organization offers a wide range of services including infrastructure, procurement, and project management, with a focus on economic and social infrastructure, financial management, and various sectors such as agriculture, transport, renewable energy, health, and climate change.

Job Overview:
The Partnerships Specialist will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Madagascar Country Manager, closely coordinating with the Regional Office and the Partnerships Group. The primary responsibility of this role is to develop and implement a comprehensive partnership and program development plan for the offices. This involves analyzing the regional and national development landscape, identifying key partners, and strategically positioning UNOPS in operational niches. The Partnerships Specialist will also be responsible for monitoring humanitarian and development trends, researching opportunities for collaboration, and contributing to the design and negotiation of new projects and programs. The role requires a proactive approach to building partnerships and ensuring that UNOPS maintains a robust pipeline of project opportunities that align with its strategic objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Partnerships Specialist will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Developing and implementing a partnership and program development plan that aligns with UNOPS Strategic Plan and Regional Strategies. This involves conducting a thorough analysis of the country context and identifying potential partners and operational niches.
• Monitoring humanitarian and development trends to identify collaboration opportunities and providing feedback to UNOPS HQ on partnership agreements.
• Establishing and developing partnerships with UN agencies, international organizations, and private sector entities to diversify project opportunities.
• Participating in inter-agency coordination meetings and contributing to UN common planning processes.
• Implementing standards and tools provided by HQ to manage partnership and project development effectively.
• Contributing to knowledge management by sharing best practices and lessons learned within the organization.

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 in a relevant field combined with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree. Candidates should also have a minimum of 5 years of experience in international development, including demonstrated experience in executing partnership and program development plans, project development, and proposal writing, as well as establishing partnerships with various organizations.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, Political Science, Communications, or International Relations. A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with additional relevant work experience may also be considered acceptable.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in international development, with specific experience in executing partnership and program development plans, project development, and proposal writing. Candidates should have at least 2 years of experience in establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international organizations, and private sector entities, as well as experience in team supervision and management. Prior experience working in international organizations or in post-disaster and emergency contexts is advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in both French and English is required for this position. Additionally, fluency in one or more other official UNOPS languages is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The contract type for this position is IICA, at level I-ICA 2 (ICS 10). 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 also 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.