Background

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Country Director, the RM and Partnerships Development Specialist supports the Management in the overall effort to mobilize an appropriate and sustainable funding base for the country office. The RM and Partnerships Development Specialist develop the country office resource mobilization strategy, tools and procedures and coordinate their implementation. The incumbent is responsible for formulation of strategies and policies required to implement the decision of management related to partnerships building and RM and the framework within which UNDP’s RM efforts should take place; donor intelligence and business development conduct; strengthening of UNDP’s position within the UN family and developing strategic partnerships with government, donors, private sector and CSO.
 
The incumbent may supervise and lead a team of UNDP experts, international and national consultants if authorized by the management. All the activities are implemented in close cooperation with other staff and the Programme Team. The incumbent maintains a network with colleagues from UNDP, UN Agencies, IFIs, Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Formulation of strategies and policies related to RM and partnerships building, developing and implementing strategic partnerships, identification of opportunities for building partnerships willingness to support UNDP and to contribute to its mandate and objectives;
  • Strong positioning of UNDP in the UN family.

Formulates strategies and policies related to RM and partnerships building, develops and implements strategic partnerships, identifies opportunities for building partnerships   focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Carry out both the external and internal analysis for assessing CO opportunities for resource mobilization;
  • Develop and implement a donor intelligence strategy for knowing who the partners are, and their needs and priorities, and for reviewing the way UNDP is perceived in the country by its current and potential future partners, and for projecting the expectations of UNDP’s added value and potential role;
  • Scan for opportunities in the country based on partner-specific intelligence and the competitive landscape in order to map out where the CO competency strengths overlap with partner/client needs;
  • Develop specific donor fund-raising strategies and approaches;
  • Develop a detailed Partnership and Resource Mobilization (PRM) Strategy with planning tools to implement the strategy;
  • Carry out analysis of key development and sectoral policies currently being discussed and implemented in Nigeria and key donors willing to support policies and identify potential “champions” of cooperation with UNDP within the different levels of administration;
  • Negotiate, draft and revise CF agreements with donors. Monitoring of overall implementation of CF agreements;
  • Assess the level of CO engagement with each donor: type and frequency of contact, level of contact and particular areas of interest and develop strategy to position the CO to become a priority partner for the donor;
  • Develop Survey Worksheet for Assessing Demand for CO Services;
  • Develop and conduct a Competitive Landscape Analysis for knowing the partners, their priorities and characterization of their relationships/partnerships; 
  • Identify Emerging sources of funding and assess if emerging sources of funding are currently being implemented and what their potential could be in future;
  • Build partnership with CSO to promote the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to support CSO develop their own capacity by connecting them to knowledge, experience and resources from around the world, including from CSOs in other countries and regions;  
  • Develop on-line matrix to be periodically updated for gathering and updating information and references in the country context ranging from overall trends in development to specific partner activities. This will include a comprehensive overview of current UNDP partners, funding priorities of bilateral donors, recent trends in Official Development Assistance (ODA), the level and type of assistance provided by key donors to Nigeria for a period of three years;
  • Develop a Client Relationship Management strategy and tool to support country office promotion of a partnership culture in the office at all levels that includes networking and knowledge management with an outward, client-oriented mentality; build strong personal relationships not only with donors and government officials, but also with all key players in local development, including civil society and the private sector; prominent figures, intellectuals, academics and community leaders; and establish partnerships beyond cost-sharing arrangement, which also means reciprocity in relationship. Be a source of knowledge and information for partners at any time, even if information is not related to our core operations;
    Negotiate mutually beneficial agreements; comply with partner requirements, including reporting requirements.

Strongly positions UNDP in the UN family  focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Identify opportunities for UNDP in its relationship with other UN Agencies;
  • Development and implementation of CO strategy for partnering with UN Agencies around UNDAF, MDG and other joint programming.

Competencies

The key results of the post are formulation of forward-looking strategies and policies for the CO related to RM and partnerships building, identification of opportunities for building partnerships and their implementation. This highly strategic post ensures sustainable funding base for the programme.

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:
 
Knowledge Management and Learning

  • Knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
  • Builds knowledge in at least one practice areas, and shares;
  • Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on related issues;
  • In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
  • Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation;
  • Ability to apply RM and partnerships building theory to the specific country context;
  • Strong IT skills.

Management and Leadership:

  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
  • Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation;
  • Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field.

Experience:

  • At least 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level. Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis. Some experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for data analysis.

Language:

  • Fluency (both written and spoken) in English.   Knowledge of at least one national language would be desirable.