Partnerships Specialist

About the role

UNOPS is looking for a Partnerships Specialist in Harare, Zimbabwe. The role develops partnership plans and opportunities for the Multi Country / Country office, coordinates with partners across levels, and contributes to project and programme development.

Key responsibilities

• Develop a partnership development plan aligned with UNOPS strategy, covering country context, regional and national landscape, partner identification, strategic positioning and growth pipeline.
• Analyse risks and opportunities of the strategic positioning and propose responses for sustainable growth.
• Coordinate with partnerships staff at local, liaison and HQ levels, project managers and country office staff.
• Monitor humanitarian and development trends, research events and publications, and advise HQ and the Regional Office on framework partnership agreements.
• Contribute to designing, formulating and negotiating new projects and programmes, draft concept notes and project briefs, and create engagement opportunities in line with corporate guidelines.
• Negotiate proposals, coordinate technical and financial requirements, draft agreements and contracts, and explain UNOPS pricing policy to partners.
• Diversify the office's project opportunities and establish partnerships with UN agencies, international organisations, governments, foundations, NGOs and the private sector.
• Undertake advocacy and communication activities with the Communications Officer, and attend inter-agency, donor and government coordination meetings on behalf of the office director or programme head.
• Take part in UN planning and programming processes such as strategic country analysis and UNSDCF response plans.
• Implement HQ standards, tools and templates, share best practices, and help build partnership and negotiation capacity among project managers.

Required profile

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, Political Science, Communications or International Relations; a Bachelor's degree plus 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted instead.
• At least 5 years of experience in international development, including partnership and programme development, project development and proposal writing, and project acquisition.
• Experience establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international organisations, governments, foundations, NGOs or private sector organisations.
• Prior experience in international organisations, international development, post-disaster and/or emergency contexts is an advantage.