Development Coordination Officer, Partnerships

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 meet their development priorities and the SDGs, with the Resident Coordinator serving as the highest-ranking UN official in the country.

Job Overview:
The Development Coordination Officer, Partnerships, is a pivotal role within the UN Resident Coordination Office in Praia, Cabo Verde. This position is responsible for providing substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of UN Country Team (UNCT) partnerships aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The officer will guide the development and implementation of the UN Partnership Strategy, ensuring alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. This role involves liaising with various UN entities and external stakeholders, advising on partnership risks and opportunities, and conducting due diligence on potential partnerships. The officer will also be instrumental in resource mobilization efforts, helping to develop tailored strategies for funding and supporting pooled funds for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. Additionally, the officer will engage in knowledge management and capacity development activities to enhance partnerships and resource mobilization at the country level.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide 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.
• Conduct liaison and coordination with UN entities and external stakeholders to define value propositions for local partnerships.
• Advise the Resident Coordinator and UNCT on risks and opportunities related to partnerships, and provide analysis on due diligence processes.
• Develop and implement resource mobilization strategies and initiatives, monitor existing partnerships, and facilitate joint programming processes.
• Collaborate with finance experts to promote partnerships that support financing for development, and prepare briefing papers on partnership issues.
• Conduct knowledge management activities, promote best practices, and maintain a repository of potential donors.
• Ensure effective engagement with private sector and civil society to develop partnerships around SDG financing.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in providing strategic support to partnerships, project/programme management, resource mobilization, or development finance. Experience in developing and implementing partnership and resource mobilization strategies is essential. Familiarity with the United Nations system and inter-agency coordination is desirable, as is experience with innovative financing instruments. Proficiency in data analytics or related areas is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, education, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in strategic support for partnerships, project management, resource mobilization, or development finance. Candidates should have a proven track record in developing and implementing effective partnership strategies and resource mobilization initiatives, particularly within the context of development cooperation.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English is required for this position, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of Portuguese is desirable, and proficiency in another UN official language is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a current staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is designed to ensure the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with a focus on geographic diversity. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.