Head of Unit - Partnerships Development Copenhagen

The Partnerships and Liaison Group (PLG) supports UNOPS efforts to build closer ties with partners across the full spectrum of UNOPS activities. By forging strategic relationships and working with partners, both in the field and at headquarters, PLG seeks to not only ensure high partners satisfaction with UNOPS project implementation and support, but also to integrate best practices and innovative solutions from experienced non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector into UNOPS operations. PLG has a unit in Copenhagen and liaison offices in Amman, Bangkok, Brussels, Geneva, Nairobi, Tokyo and Washington DC. PLG deals with partners such as the World Bank, the European Union, the United Nations Environment Programme, UNHCR, WHO, UN-Habitat,, Islamic Development Bank and national governments.

The role reports to the Director of PLG and  will be responsible for developing and managing all contacts, events, and initiatives with strategic partners (governments, DFIs, UN agencies, private sector, etc) to position and engage UNOPS at the earliest and highest level of discussions. The incumbent will achieve this by leveraging the existing network of contacts, and developing new where necessary, in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade Commissions, Donor Agencies, and Diplomatic Missions of the selected target countries, in addition to sister agencies, and the existing portfolio of private sector and academic partners.  In order to further develop these relationships the Head of Unit - Partnerships will work closely with the regional offices to engage the respective management teams in defining needs and matching opportunities with actors cited above. The incumbent will exercise a strong sense of commercial diplomacy, articulate the operationalization of the sustainable development goals as partnering opportunities, understand policy and operations as well as represent the value of the organization in his/her personal interaction and communications. He/she shall also manage a team of specialists and analysts to fulfill the role, and travel regularly to the partner locations and regions as required. In some occasions, he/she might be required to act as officer-in-charge for the PLG team as part of his support role to the Director.

Under the direct responsibility of the Director of PLG, the Head of Unit - Partnerships Development Copenhagen shall be responsible for:

• Supporting Partnerships Director in establishing relationships at the highest level with government entities to develop strategic partnerships and alliances
• Establishing strategic partnerships with selected private sector partners and academia to support the global agenda
• Coordinating with the regional leadership team to develop the partnerships and anchor them at the local level
• Coordinating with the regional leadership team to match donors and partners with their needs and opportunities in the field
• Coordinating in close collaboration with all the relevant parties globally the formulation of briefing packages for the executive office’s meetings to be cleared by the Director of PLG in a timely fashion
• Leading the implementation of the Corporate Action Plan in response to feedback received from the partner survey in close coordination with all the relevant units and regions
• Managing the rollout and analysis of the partner survey with the support of external suppliers
• Coordinating with the regions reporting and oversight of all engagement forecast and partner relations
• Conducting analysis on the trends and key indicators of the related to UNOPS partners and the ongoing engagement activities
• Supporting the regions in meeting their learning objectives by coordinating and implementing the relevant programs within budget and timelines
• Serving as an advisor for submissions to the Engagement Acceptance Committee as the policy co-owner for partnerships engagements
• Continuously reviewing and updating, in close collaboration with the legal team, the policies and delegations of authority related to partnership engagements.
• Liaising with the other practices to identify and develop strategic partners for the organization at the global level
• Producing and disseminating internal reports on the strategic partners to support decision making at the different levels
• Providing intelligence and analysis on the strategic partners to support meeting, projects, and negotiations
• Managing directly the HQ based teams of (1) analytics; (2) partnerships outreach and development; (3) HR partner services; (4) Nordics
• Serving as the focal point for HR partner managed personnel clients, while managing the team in addressing the partners’ needs and requirements 
• Communicating proactively UNOPS role and experience at public events and conferences
• Traveling to regions and partners as required

• Masters or PhD level academic work in business administration, operations, policy, legal, international affairs, or related field is required

Contract type: International Individual Agreement  Contract level:IICA 3
Contract duration:Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.