Senior Partnerships Development Advisor

Background Information – Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

• Infrastructure
• Procurement
• Project Management (full service, back on track)
• HR and Transactional Services
• Grants Management
• Technical and Advisory Services

Job Specific

Under the supervision of the Director of AUMCO and day to day facilitation from the Partnerships Specialist, as well as with guidance and advice from the AUMCO Head of Programme (HoP), the incumbent is responsible for the development and implementation of a partnership strategy for AUMCO in the Central Asia region. S/he will accordingly engage with the UN family, governments and donors to expand on existing partnerships and build new initiatives to ensure UNOPS’ contributions to Our Common Agenda and operational sustainability in Central Asia.

Functional Responsibility

• Lead the development of the strategy, and direct the implementation of all activities for strategic partnership and alliance building with Central Asian governments, regional bodies and other potential and existing partners, including the organization of strategic partnership events, to advance UNOPS mandate and to enhance UNOPS visibility at the sub-regional and country level.
• Provide advice on business and programme development and implementation in Central Asia to AUMCO Director and management, including through assessments, research, consultations and field missions.
• Position UNOPS as a partner of choice in Central Asia, ensuring UNOPS’ contributions to Our Common Agenda and operational sustainability in the sub-region.
• Support ongoing UNOPS partnerships and project delivery initiatives in Central Asia with the aim of expanding on UNOPS’ existing engagements, and lead the development and negotiation of new engagements, initiatives and activities.
• Establish strong working relationships with key UN and government partners, as well as existing and potential donors, for networking purposes.
• In collaboration with the MCO Partnerships Specialist, and with advice and guidance from the MCO HoP, develop concept notes, project proposals and other knowledge products to help take potential partnerships forward.
• Facilitate the negotiation of MOUs with partners and maintenance of existing modalities in place.
• As delegated, participate in meetings with Government counterparts on behalf of UNOPS, and represent the AUMCO Director in the respective UN Country Team meetings and Results Groups.
• Facilitate high-level meetings between UNOPS senior management and Central Asian based partners, including during key events such as relevant conferences and other forums.
• Support roll out of the relevant projects and operational activities in Central Asia, as appropriate and relevant for partnerships purposes, and in collaboration where required with the respective UN and host government authorities.
• Under the guidance of the AUMCO Head of Programme and Head of Support Services, help oversee the overall programme/project implementation progress and operations of UNOPS activities in Central Asia, identifying key risks and implementing the risk mitigation strategies.
• Spearhead the sharing of knowledge related to partners across the organization, including identification and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned, with a view of continuous improvement of UNOPS’ partner engagement in the field.
• Develop and implement annual work plans and targets for the priority partnerships development and management activities for Central Asia.

a. Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent), preferably in Development Studies, International Relations, Business Administration, Engineering/Architecture or other related field, is required.
• A Bachelor degree (or equivalent) combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience can be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree.
• PRINCE2 or MSP Foundation and Practitioner Certifications are highly desirable

b Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of international development sector and/or public sector organization experience is required. Preferably, this should be with UNOPS or another similar UN agency.
• At least 7 years of this experience must be in developing, overseeing and/or managing projects.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience working with a network of UN agencies, development partners, governments and donors, preferably in the Central Asia region, is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in developing and negotiating programmes and/or projects is required.
• Experience with development initiatives involving a combination of project, infrastructure and procurement services and activities is preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of the region will be considered as an advantage.

c. Language

Fluency in both English and Russian is required.

Contract type: Staff Contract level: P5 Contract duration: Fixed-term staff contracts – ‘One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability’

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link*:* https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx