Background

UNDP Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (IICPSD) has a mandate to leverage the role of the private sector in development. Moreover, under the thematic area of Private Sector Engagement in Skills Development and SDG AI Lab, IICPSD offers evidence-based knowledge, advisory, and partnership services supporting the expansion of job and livelihood opportunities for the disadvantaged groups. The center analyzes successful cases of private sector-led or public-private partnership skills development initiatives.

Towards fostering sustainable and inclusive growth for the achievement of the Agenda 2030, IICPSD has developed targeted multi-stakeholder partnerships for skills development. IICPSD and HP Foundation are collaborating to enhance entrepreneurial and 21st century skills development both at global and local level. Within the framework of the partnership, IICPSD conducts research and awareness raising activities, provides technical advisory for different institutions on program design and implementation; and implements capacity development activities. IICPSD and HP Foundation have initiated a global support program to advance entrepreneurial skills development through HP LIFE. HP LIFE is the HP Foundation’s free IT and business skills-training program. It is accessible online, offline, and in person offering more than 30 courses in eight languages for entrepreneurs, business owners, and lifelong learners all over the world. Global support programme offers capacity development trainings and aims to equip individuals with necessary skills to localize entrepreneurial skills development in their countries and communities. It nurtures HP LIFE network and supports the advancement of entrepreneurship ecosystems in different regions and countries.

Moreover, together with its partner EBRD, UNDP IICPSD established Skills for an Inclusive Future (S4IF) network, a multi-stakeholder advisory and partnership network. Through S4IF Network, IICPSD aims to unlock the potential of private sector to equip disadvantaged populations with skills for the future. UNDP IICPSD and EBRD focuses on enhancing skills for digital transformation, future of work, and green economy. S4IF Network has four key services lines including developing private public private partnerships, fostering membership, knowledge and advisory, and resourcing initiatives.

The partnership analyst will contribute to the implementation of the strategies of IICPSD on skills development through facilitating and advancing partnerships and resource mobilization primarily for the partnership with HP Foundation, whilst also supporting the partnership activities under S4IF to explore new opportunities with prospective partners. The analyst can supervise and lead a partnership support staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of and reporting directly to the Deputy Director, Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development, the Project Analyst will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following key functions:

Maintenance of Global Support Programme for HP LIFE:

  • Maintain a network of trainers (trained under Global Support Programme) and design and implement community of practice activities.
  • Build new partnerships to expand the coverage of the programme and to localize HP LIFE experience in different regions and countries.
  • Maintain existing partnerships under the programme and ensure partner capacities are strengthened through programme activities.
  • Develop new partnerships under the programme.
  • Develop customized concept notes and proposals for effective implementation according to specific needs of partner institutions.
  • Maintain a pool of UNDP trainers to design and implement effective trainings for partner institutions.
  • Provide operational support for the programme including procurement and recruitment processes.

Ensures implementation of the strategies of IICPSD in the private sector-led skills development area, focusing on achievement of the results:

  • Analysis and synthesis of proposals on the areas for support and interventions within this thematic area.
  • Contribute to the facilitation of partnerships and regularly cover industry related stories and their development impact through briefs, news items and blogposts.
  • Preparation of inputs for reporting, including reporting to higher level management of IICPSD.
  • Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of IICPSD activities under the skills development thematic area, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions.
  • Contribute to team building and human resources development in the practice and support on boarding of team members consultants, interns.
  • Comply and conduct thoroughly with the necessary UNDP administrative and financial procedures.

Supports the team in creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization:

  • Establish and maintain a pipeline and portfolio of partnerships and actively work for the realization of the partnership objectives.
  • Identification of relevant private sector initiatives and partnerships, preparation and presentation of the partnerships for approval and endorsement, finalization of contribution agreements; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re phasing exercises, closure of related activities through review.
  • Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization for skills development thematic area.
  • Support communication, advocacy and outreach activities and events for their implementation in line with the respective guidelines of UNDP.
  • Create linkages with stakeholders for enhancing the impact of advocacy activities.

Provides top quality advisory services on private sector engagement in skills design and delivery to the relevant stakeholders and ensures facilitation of partnership-related knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Identification of sources of information related to the thematic area.
  • Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned that are linked to the thematic area.
  • Application of conceptual models in support of partnership and intervention design.
  • Supporting the implementation of projects and realization of the objectives of partnerships.
  • Maintaining a network of partnerships and manage relationships with partners, practitioners, and other stakeholders.
  • Organization of events and trainings on the thematic area.
  • Professional growth through active learning.

Competencies

Competences

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area

Name

Definition

Business Management

Partnerships Management

Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Direction and Strategy

Entrepreneurial Thinking

Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate

Business Management

Monitoring

Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

Partnership Management

Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding

Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms

Partnership Management

Resource mobilization

Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements

Partnership Management

Private sector engagement

Ability to identify, conduct outreach, and manage relationships with the private sector

Partnership Management

Communication

Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience

Required Skills and Experience

  • Master's degree in economics, management, business administration, international development, international relations, political science, economic development, or related field

    OR

    Bachelor’s degree in economics, management, business administration, international development, international relations, political science, economic development, or related field.
  • Minimum 2 (two) years of progressively responsible experience in international development with a preference for private sector development or private-public partnerships experience with master’s degree.

    OR

    Minimum 4 (four) years of progressively responsible experience in international development with a preference for private sector development or private-public partnerships experience with bachelor’s degree.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is required.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing and managing partnerships required.
  • Experience with coordinating complex projects involving multiple stakeholders required. 
  • Knowledge in the private sector’s role in development is an asset.
  • Experience building and managing partnerships on issues related the role of the private sector in development is a strong asset.
  • Track record of research on the private sector’s role in development preferably on human capital development, employment, entrepreneurship, and impact is an asset.
  • Previous experience of working in UNDP or the UN system is highly desirable.
  • Proficiency in English and Turkish is required.