Partnership Portfolio Specialist for Foundations and Philanthropies

Job Posting Organization:
The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is a key component of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which is dedicated to positioning UNDP as the leading global development agency. BERA's mission includes promoting UNDP's authority and thought leadership on sustainable development, poverty alleviation, inequality, and climate change. Established to build and nurture strategic relationships and alliances, BERA plays a crucial role in securing political and financial support for UNDP's initiatives. The Bureau is responsible for innovative partnerships and financing strategies for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and coordinates global campaigns on critical development issues. BERA operates through a network of Representation Offices in major cities worldwide and collaborates closely with regional teams to enhance audience-centric communications and strengthen relationships with public and private partners. The Bureau is also adapting to the evolving landscape of international development cooperation, focusing on deepening engagement with foundations and philanthropies to support the 2030 Agenda and other multilateral commitments.

Job Overview:
The Partnership Portfolio Specialist for Foundations and Philanthropies will work within the Public Partnerships Group, directly supervised by the Team Leader for New Strategic and Multistakeholder Partnerships. This role involves cultivating and managing a portfolio of foundations and philanthropic partners while supervising a team of consultants across various regions. The specialist will be responsible for developing and implementing outreach and engagement strategies, coordinating internal support, and gathering intelligence to inform decision-making. The position requires facilitating proposal development, negotiating grant agreements, and ensuring effective knowledge management of partnerships. The incumbent will also lead the presentation of UNDP's flagship initiatives tailored to partners' interests and innovate approaches to enhance UNDP's engagement with the philanthropic sector. This role emphasizes a portfolio approach to adapt to changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve strategic goals, necessitating collaboration across various teams and projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with foundations and philanthropies, identifying and engaging new partners to expand UNDP's funding pipeline.
• Create and implement partner engagement strategies and action plans, setting priorities and performance indicators for each partner.
• Facilitate interactions between philanthropic partners and internal teams, guiding proposal writing and offer development.
• Lead negotiations for proposals and funding agreements in compliance with UNDP policies, collaborating with relevant units.
• Manage the partnership portfolio, ensuring accurate tracking and monitoring of milestones and performance indicators.
• Identify risks and opportunities within the portfolio, keeping senior management informed of significant developments.
• Ensure timely reporting to foundation partners in accordance with established formats and agreements.
• Coordinate dialogues and consultations with relevant units focused on specific engagements.
• Provide intelligence and analysis to inform engagement strategies and support senior management decision-making. 1
• Promote UNDP's initiatives to maximize resource mobilization opportunities across philanthropic platforms. 1
• Advise on establishing consultative mechanisms with philanthropies and prepare necessary materials for meetings. 1
• Develop business cases for strategic funding mechanisms and support their implementation. 1
• Lead efforts to understand philanthropic motivations and develop tailored offers to strengthen partnerships. 1
• Coordinate with internal teams to enhance visibility and outreach campaigns for philanthropic partners. 1
• Provide guidance to UNDP's global network on effective engagement with the philanthropic sector and deliver capacity-building training.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in International Development, Public Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) with additional relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a master’s degree.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in development work, including partnership development and management, is required for candidates with a master’s degree; 9 years for those with a bachelor’s degree.
• At least 5 years of experience working with private foundations or public and private grant-making bodies is desired.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing partnership and outreach strategies with foundations and philanthropies is required.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, demonstrated through previous research or policy notes, are essential.
• Strong coordination, negotiation, and communication skills are required, along with experience advising on partnership strategies with philanthropic foundations.
• Knowledge of trends and emerging actors within the global philanthropic ecosystem is crucial.
• Proven experience in business development and resource mobilization is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in fields such as International Development, Public Administration, or Social Sciences. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in these fields, combined with additional relevant work experience, will be considered. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of international development and partnership management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience for candidates with a master’s degree or 9 years for those with a bachelor’s degree. This experience should include development work, particularly in partnership development and management, both internally with UNDP and externally with international organizations and philanthropies. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience working with private foundations or grant-making bodies, along with a proven track record in designing and implementing partnership strategies and outreach initiatives.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in another UN working language is highly desirable, as it enhances communication and collaboration with diverse partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position may involve supervising analyst-level staff and interns, as well as monitoring consultants and their deliverables. The role is expected to be full-time, and UNDP reserves the right to select multiple candidates from this vacancy announcement. The organization is committed to equal opportunity and creating an inclusive workplace, emphasizing that all employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role. Selected candidates will undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to UNDP's standards and principles regarding harassment and discrimination. Additionally, all new fixed-term appointments are subject to a probationary period, and candidates should be aware that UNDP does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.