UNCDF Jobs - 52501- Re-advertisement - Business Development and Extern

Re-advertisement - Business Development and External Relations Adviser (UNCDF)

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year (renewable)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Candidates who previously applied need not re-apply.

The United Nations Capital Development Programme (UNCDF) is a UN organization with a capital mandate (unique in the UN System) focused on reducing poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) first and foremost in the least developed countries (“LDC”s). To support the realization of UNCDF’s Business Plan and drive the rapid expansion of the organization’s capacity to assist LDCs to meet their graduation goals, respond to LDC demand for its services, and increase its geographical coverage of and average investment size in LDCs, UNCDF requires a partnership and business development strategy. This strategy encompasses specific, and interlinked, strategies for partnerships, branding and communications, and resource mobilization, which capitalize on mandate-specific partnership building, inter-governmental/client relations, and specific business development opportunities.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Executive Secretary and in close collaboration with the Communications Specialist, Strategic Policy Advisor, and Practice leaders, the Business Development and External Relations Adviser will be responsible for the development and implementation of an integrated UNCDF partnership and business development strategy.

By the end of 2015 the international community is expected to endorse a new and, probably, single and universal sustainable development agenda that will replace the existing Millennium Development Goals. This will likely be accompanied by a new financing framework to be adopted at the next UN Financing for Development summit. This new framework faces a rapidly changing development finance landscape that is characterized by an increased diversity of:

providers and sources such as DAC and non-DAC donors (e.g. India, China and Brazil), philanthropic foundations, high net-worth individuals, crowd-sourced donations, remittances and other private sector providers – such as the emerging impact investing industry; and,

types of funding including traditional ODA, loans, risk mitigation, equity and blending instruments, as well as innovative financing mechanisms and the increasing use of ODA to leverage private finance including from domestic sources.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Provide leadership in the development and implementation of an integrated office-wide UNCDF partnership and business development strategy;
Provide strategic advice and support to UNCDF Senior Management on conceptualizing, fostering and developing innovative partnerships with a view to better positioning UNCDF within the international architecture, and for increased core and non-core contributions;
Manage UNCDF’s relationship with the Executive Board by ensuring coordination and organization of each session and staffing the Executive Secretary;
Elaborate and launch strategies and pave the way for innovative partnerships with key emerging funding sources, including decentralized cooperation actors, international/regional/national/local governmental and non-governmental organizations, private sector entities;
Identify, develop and negotiate opportunities for major core and non-core resource mobilization. Build and consolidate partnerships with government and non-governmental actors and institutions in North and South;
Oversee partner/client relationship maintenance and provide practices/regional and country based colleagues with common platforms for partner management and monitoring as well as specific support and advice;
Ensure strong linkages between strategic policy development, intergovernmental positioning, and partner/business development, and critical knowledge generation relevant to and strategically servicing these functions;
Manage the Partnership/Strategic Policy Unit within the UNCDF Directorate.

Provide leadership in the development and implementation of an integrated office-wide UNCDF business development strategy, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Formulation and implementation of an Integrated UNCDF Business Development Strategy to promote UNCDF services to key external constituencies;
Scanning of business development opportunities for BD Intelligence (facilitate assessments of client needs, CO comparative advantages, partner survey analysis, etc.);
Generation of content (information/images) for promotional activities;
Marketing of UNCDF services and requirements using specific approaches to specific constituent groups;
Close coordination of resource mobilization/external relations activities between UNCDF HQ, regional and country teams and UNDP BERA, BPPS, Regional Bureaux, and UNDP Country Offices;
Setting up of corporate standards for cost-sharing arrangements in consultation with UNDP and providing advice to the UNCDF regional/country teams.

Provide strategic advice and support to UNCDF Senior Management on development of innovative partnerships for increased core and non-core contributions, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Play a lead role in UNCDF resource mobilization, including to increase core contributions and develop innovative, flexible approaches to the non-core;
Diversify UNCDF’s base support, including through exploring the feasibility of private sector, individual support and earned income strategies;
In-depth analyses of UNCDF specific needs to increase resource mobilization; building and promotion of adequate support tools and systems for UNCDF HQ and regional and country teams for identifying non-core resource opportunities and strategic partnership building;
Well-reasoned, innovative suggestions and approaches to address resource mobilization issues;
Demonstrate results through annual increases to the core and the non-core contributions.

Elaborate and launch strategies and pave the way for innovative partnerships, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Creation and consolidation of partnerships with new funding sources, including non-traditional donors;
Linkage with regional and southern partners working closely with UNCDF [and UNDP] regional and country office teams;
Strong dialogue and relationship with Executive Board and LDC partners, including through established inter-governmental and UN bodies.

Identify, develop and negotiate opportunities for major core and non-core resource mobilization. Build and consolidate partnerships with government and non-governmental actors and institutions in North and South, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Consolidation of newly-established partnerships;
Increased mobilization of resources for UNCDF programmes and projects;
Synergies between strategic policy/positioning in inter-governmental and inter-agency fora, partnership development, and knowledge generation.

Oversee client relationship maintenance, by ensuring reporting requirements are met and that issues are followed up) and provide country offices/bureaux with specific support and advice, including donor intelligence, training, support on policy, tools and procedures, focusing on achievement of the following results.

Improved relations with donors; more effective and rapid response to donor queries; and effective and timely donor reporting;
More timely delivery of resources mobilization outputs;
Coordination of resource mobilization activities at UNCDF HQ and in the Regional and Country offices;
Optimal working relations between UNCDF HQ and Regional and Country offices.

Manage the Partnerships/Strategic Policy Unit within the UNCDF Directorate

Maintain strong and regular internal and external communications, including public relations, speeches, op eds, website management, news bulletins, and achieving high visibility among peer organisations;
Ensure strong linkages between partnership/business development, strategic policy positioning, and knowledge management, and drive coordinated outreach and positioning messaging and approaches inter alia in inter-governmental and inter-agency fora;
Supervise staff of the unit, assuring service oriented model for all of UNCDF.

Impact of Results

The key results have a direct impact on the ability of UNCDF to meet its core and non-core resource mobilization targets, its ability to be present in all LDC client countries, and its ability to maintain overall relevance, efficiency and effectiveness from a partnership/resource perspective.

Competencies

Corporate:

Demonstrates integrity and fairness;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP/UNCDF;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Managerial/Behavioral:

Leadership

Focuses on impact and results for client;
Takes initiative and calculated risks;
Leads team creatively and effectively;
Displays positive and constructive attitude.

Managing Relationships

Builds strong client relationships;
Builds strong relationships with external actors;
Communicates clearly and convincingly.

Managing Complexity

Ability to identify key strategic resource mobilization issues and opportunities and lead development of clear unit strategy.

Building and Sharing Knowledge

Actively builds deep knowledge in resource mobilization and partnership building;
Makes valuable practice contributions in the area of resource mobilization and partnership building.

Learning and People Development

Provides constructive coaching and feedback;
Promotes knowledge management in UNCDF and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in international relations, law, economics or other related social sciences.

Experience:

Minimum 10 years experience of relevant professional experience in business development, resource mobilization, fund-raising, partnership-building, networking. At least 5 years of experience in UN/UNDP;
Experience in development finance, preferably related to one (or all) of following areas: project finance, (municipal) bonds, credit enhancement instruments (e.g. guarantees), debt and blending instruments, as well as innovative financing mechanisms;
Good understanding of the changing development finance landscape, including (i) new providers and sources (e.g. impact investors) and (ii) types of funding (e.g. blended instruments);
Expert technical knowledge and extended specialized experience in the area of external relations, resource mobilization and donor relations;
Experience working with international organizations, developing country governments, donor agencies, and/or NGOs and other civil society groups engaged in diverse sectors of international development;
Familiarity with UNDP and UN system and the donor community.

Language Requirements:

Strong writing and speaking abilities in English;
Another UN official language is an asset.