Partnerships Specialist

Role Purpose

The Partnerships Specialist is responsible for developing and executing partnership and program development strategies across East African countries. This position emphasizes establishing and nurturing collaborative relations with governments, UN bodies, donors, and other key stakeholders to mobilize resources, broaden the office's project portfolio, and position UNOPS as a dependable development and implementation partner. The role ensures initiatives align with both global and regional UNOPS priorities, fostering sustainable achievements and supporting strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a comprehensive partnership development and communications strategy aligned with the UNOPS Strategic Plan and regional objectives. This involves analyzing country-specific and regional development contexts, identifying main partners, positioning UNOPS in relevant operational niches, and mapping growth opportunities in Tanzania, integrating organizational capacity and resources.
• Integrate strategic communications and visibility measures to enhance UNOPS engagement with key partners, showcasing results and strengthening the organization's profile.
• Assess risks and opportunities linked to the Country Office’s strategic positioning and recommend suitable approaches to sustain growth.
• Collaborate with Partnerships teams across local, liaison, and headquarters levels and coordinate with project teams in country offices to ensure coherent partner engagement.
• Monitor humanitarian and development trends to identify collaboration opportunities within UNOPS mandate and capacity.
• Track external events and publications to identify potential opportunities and emerging trends that can drive partnerships.
• Advise UNOPS HQ and Regional Offices on framework partnership agreements to enhance regional opportunities.
• Participate in designing, formulating, negotiating projects and preparing concept notes and documentation for partner discussions.
• Maintain engagement tools and opportunities consistent with corporate guidelines and platforms.
• Manage technical and financial coordination, negotiate project proposals, and draft required agreements for project implementation.
• Clearly communicate UNOPS pricing policies to partners.
• Support diversification efforts within multi-country or country offices, focusing on Portuguese-speaking African nations aligned with regional strategies.
• Assist Communications and Reporting staff by providing content related to countries managed under the UNOPS office or Partnerships Group.
• Forge and strengthen relationships with UN agencies, international organizations, governments, foundations, NGOs, and private sector entities to diversify projects.
• Engage in advocacy, public information, and communication activities alongside Communications Officers when needed.
• Represent the Country Manager in inter-agency, donor, and government meetings, providing reports and addressing project development with project managers and technical experts.
• Contribute to UN planning processes such as UNSDCF and response plans through strategic country analyses.
• Guide communication strategies ensuring alignment with country priorities, partnership goals, and UNOPS positioning.
• Develop a network of significant partners and keep updated on socio-economic and political trends and innovations relevant to projects and partnerships.
• Implement HQ-provided standards, tools, and templates to optimize partnership and project development effectiveness.
• Drive research and adoption of innovative, best practice approaches to enhance project and partnership performance.
• Support capacity building for project managers on partnerships and negotiation skills.
• Contribute to sharing best practices and lessons learned for knowledge enhancement and planning.
• Provide ongoing feedback to improve systems, tools, and resources for daily operations.

Educational Requirements

• A Master’s degree in disciplines such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, Political Science, Communications, or International Relations.
• Alternatively, a bachelor's degree plus two additional years of relevant professional experience may satisfy the educational prerequisites.

Experience Expectations

• Minimum five years of international development experience demonstrating competence in:
• Devising and implementing partnership, communications, and program development plans.
• Project formulation and proposal drafting.
• Identifying, developing, and negotiating partnerships with institutions like IFIs/MDBs, including converting government and financial institution priorities into actionable programs.
• Building alliances with UN agencies, development organizations, governments, foundations, NGOs, or private sectors.
• Previous involvement with international organizations, development aid, or post-disaster and emergency operations is essential.
• Preferred qualifications include experience in project and program management and strategic direction of communications, advocacy, or visibility efforts supporting organizational or partnership goals.