Background

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 inequality 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.

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.

The Partnerships, Policy and Communications Unit (PPCU) to which this post is assigned, leads and manages the organization’s relationship with its governing body, the Executive Board. To all these ends the Unit will lead the organization in the development and advancement of relevant strategies in engaging with this wide spectrum of partners that is achieved through wide internal and external consultative processes. 

Post Context - The Partnership Development Specialist is an integral part of the Directorate/Partnerships Policy and Communications Unit supporting the whole of UNCDF’s outreach work. A funding model is taking hold with the following considerations: (i) takes into account UN reform; (ii) ensures that UNCDF has access to predictable un-earmarked programme resources, and (iii) achieves ambitious leveraging targets in line with stated corporate targets of un-earmarked to earmarked to domestic resources.

Under the supervision of the Partnerships and Communications Advisor, the Partnerships Development Specialist will work with the UNCDF Directorate, the Strategic Policy Advisor and the Practice Directors (and their staff at HQ, regional and country levels) on the development of innovative financing solutions, on cultivating relationships with a wide range of constituencies with a view to strengthen UNCDF’s resource mobilization base including traditional and non-traditional donors, UNDP, other agency partners, bi-lateral, multilateral, private sector, domestic resources etc. performing the functions as outlined below.

The work of the Partnership Development Specialist has a significant impact on the ability of the Teams, Units and Practices to make informed decisions affecting the work of UNCDF. She/he will develop a close collaboration with other colleagues from PPCU, PMSU, Practice Areas, and Management Support Unit in UNCDF.  The Policy Specialist, IGP will endeavor to develop and manage a network with colleagues from UNDP, other UN Agencies, IFIs, private sector and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Strategic advocacy and partnership development;
• Support to mobilization of core and non-core resources;
• Effective Internal and External Donor Relations;
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Strategic advocacy and partnership development:

• Support the development of corporate strategies tailored to specific donors;
• Provide strategic advice and policy recommendations with a view to positioning UNCDF strongly;
• Analyze donor trends in the UNCDF funding landscape;
• Define and regularly ‘connect’ UNCDF value propositions in the LDCs in alignment, and when possible, in anticipation of the changing aid architecture and evolving resource mobilization drivers;
• Identification of opportunities for UNCDF programmes in its relationship with other UN Agencies;
• Implementation of PCU strategy for partnering with UN Agencies around UNDAF, MDG and other joint programming for implementation of UN Reform;
• Identification of specific areas for support, building on UNCDF comparative advantages and UNCDF programmatic objectives in country;
• Assist in building and maintaining relations with other UN agencies that support the effective implementation of the IF and LDF business plans, with special focus on jointly mobilization of resources;
• Provides technical support during negotiation processes at the corporate level (HQ) with key partners (relevant to the new thematic areas such as with the EC, GEF, etc.);
• Provides timely and professional response to COs requests for support on matters of partnerships-building;
• Enhances capacity by UNCDF country and regional offices to pursue and capitalize on strategic partnerships and resource mobilization opportunities, and vi).

Support to mobilization of core and non-core resources:

• Provide effective and efficient support to the Executive Secretary and senior management in the mobilization of core and non-core resources in all aspects of resource mobilization;
• Specifically, support UNCDF  senior management in the mobilization of core and non-core resources through in-depth analysis of donor-specific ODA trends, political and economic developments, aid policies, practices and budget allocations in specific donor countries;
• Identify and develop opportunities for non-core resource mobilization and advise country offices and headquarters units on appropriate strategies and approaches to seize them; and
• Contribute to the development of corporate policies and procedures for core and non-core resource mobilization, including through strategic partners.

Effective Internal and External Donor Relations:

• Based on in-depth knowledge of national environments, identify targeted interventions to mobilize support for UNCDF and influence positively donor countries’ national budgetary and other decision-making processes; and
• Build, nurture and maintain effective internal and external working relations, including with relevant Representation Offices (Global or locally) and Practice Area Leaders responsible for specific donor countries and/or partners in the private sector.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

• Identification and formulation of lessons learned and recommendations to be integrated into broader CO knowledge management efforts;
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice; and
• Organization and conduct of trainings on RM and partnerships building in the Country Office.

Impact of Results

The work of the Partnership Development Specialist has a significant impact on the ability of the Teams, Units and Practices to make informed decisions affecting the work of UNCDF.

The position will enhance the institution-wide capacity to identify, pursue and capitalize on strategic partnerships and resource mobilization opportunities at global and country level and enhance UNCDF’s ability to raise sufficient levels of core and non-core resources. The position will also enhance UNCDF’s visibility, brand recognition and positioning among key development partners.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:       

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Level 2: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

• Creates effective advocacy strategies;
• Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
• Contributes to UNCDF practice areas and builds knowledge in at least one practice areas, and shares.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Level 1.1: Contributing to results through provision of information

• Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration;
• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
• Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals;
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Level 2: Identifying and building partnerships

• Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
• Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
• Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Level 2: Developing new approaches

• Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
• Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
• Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.

Resource Mobilization

Level 2:  Implementing resource mobilization strategies

• Ability to provide high quality policy advice services on related issues;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues; and,
• Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 2: Developing tools and mechanisms

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 2: In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments;
• Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach;
• Identifies and compiles lessons learned;
• Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

Level 2: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

Client Orientation

Level 2: Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

• Anticipates client needs;
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
• Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
• Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Core Competencies:

• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
• Building support and political acumen;
• Building staff competence,creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
• Building and promoting effective teams;
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
• Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
• Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
• Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
• Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Fair and transparentdecision making; calculated risk-taking;
• Ability to address gender equality and empowerment of women considerations in strategic and operational activities of UNCDF.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced (Masters)  university degree in economics, public administration, business administration, international relations or equivalent required.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in resource mobilization and client management.  Proven track record of effective resource mobilisation.  Both private sector and field experience in the related field is a plus. Knowledge of Multilateral and bilateral cooperation agencies’ programmes, priorities and procedures.

Language Requirements:

• Fluent in English;
• Another UN official language is an asset.

Note: