Partnerships Specialist

Beirut

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: Beirut
Grade: Mid level - IICA-2, International Individual Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
- Partnerships
Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - UNOPS

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.

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 organizations.

Under the overall guidance of the Director of the Amman Multi-Country Office and direct supervision of the Partnerships Advisor and in close coordination with the Regional Office and the Partnerships Group, the Partnerships Specialist is responsible for developing partnerships, strategic positioning, and programme portfolio in Lebanon. In his/her capacity, the Partnerships Specialist also supports the Amman Multi-Country Office management with regards to UNOPS activities in Lebanon

Functional Responsibilities

Partnership and programme development planning
Development and follow up of partnership opportunities
Representation, inter-agency collaboration and partnership development
Knowledge management and innovation

1. Partnership and programme development planning

Develop a comprehensive partnership and programme development plan in line with UNOPS Strategic Plan and Middle East Partnerships Strategy. This includes country context, analysis of the regional and national development and humanitarian landscape, identification of main partners, strategic positioning of UNOPS in the potential operational niches identified, as well as grow a pipeline opportunities for all countries in scope of the Amman Multi-Country or Country Office. Ensure that the plan reflects in-house capacity, typology of projects and the internal tools and knowledge resources.
Examine risks and opportunities presented by the strategic positioning of the Amman Multi Country / Country office and propose appropriate responses to ensure sustainable growth.
Coordinate and collaborate with relevant Partnerships personnel at local, liaison and HQ level, as well as Project Managers and project personnel of the country offices covered by the office, to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners.

2. Develop opportunities

Monitor and evaluate humanitarian and development trends and needs to identify areas of collaboration within UNOPS mandate and existing capacity.
Research events, publications and announcements, to track and screen opportunities for possible UNOPS interventions and identify trends that will drive partnership opportunities.
Provide advice and feedback on the development of framework partnership agreements that can increase opportunities at the regional level.
Contribute to the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects and programs and draft concept notes and project document briefs for discussion with partners.
Create and maintain oneUNOPS opportunities and engagement functionalities in alignment with UNOPS corporate guidelines.
Coordinate technical and financial requirements, and negotiate proposals on new project opportunities.
Drafts agreements and/or contractual documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.
Understand and clearly explain UNOPS pricing policy to partners.
Contribute to the diversification of the UNOPS partner and programme portfolio in Lebanon, in line with the UNOPS strategic and Regional objectives.

3. Representation and inter-agency partnership

Establish and further develop partnerships with UN agencies, international organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs and private sector organisations to diversify UNOPS project opportunities in Lebanon.
Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Communications Officer, when required.
On behalf of the Amman Multi Country Office Director, participate in and report on the relevant inter-agency, donor and government coordination meetings including addressing project development issues in consultation with UNOPS project managers and technical experts when required. Take part in UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNDAF, response plans, etc.
Build a network of key partners, keeping abreast of evolving trends (social, economic, and political), including the application of innovation to project and partnership development.

4. Knowledge management and innovation

In coordination with the Partnerships Advisor, implement standards, tools and templates provided by HQ to effectively manage partnership and project development within the team to enhance/maintain UNOPS effectiveness as a provider of project services for sustainable results.
Contribute to the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximise performance and sustain achievements in project and partnership development.
Help build partnerships capacity and negotiation skills among project managers
Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building within project and partnership development.
Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure its relevance to day-to-day operations

Impact and Results: The effective and successful achievement of results by the Partnerships Specialist impacts on the performance of the Amman Multi Country Office by maintaining a robust and diverse pipeline of project opportunities, which leads to sustainable growth of the UNOPS’ presence and strengthens the achievements of UNOPS management results and the fulfilment of its mandate.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Public Administration, International Development, Political Science, Social Science, Communications or International Relations, or a related field.

A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience:

At least 5 years of experience in an international development including demonstrated experience in:
Developing and implementing partnership strategies;
Project development and proposal writing;

Establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international development organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs or private sector organisations.

Prior experience working in international organisations, international development, post-disaster and/or emergency contexts is a requirement..
Prior experience with inter-agency, donor, and national coordination and planning mechanisms is desirable.
Prior experience working in the Middle East is a requiremen

Language Requirements:

Full working knowledge of English is essential.

Fluency in in Arabic is an advantage.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International ICA
Contract level: IICA2
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Beirut is designated as non-family duty station.
UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: