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Partnerships Specialist
UNOPSUnited NationsPartnershipsMid LevelICA - LICA - Specialist - Retainer
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Full Description
**Job Highlight**
Drive strategic growth by building key relationships, mobilizing resources, and expanding the office's portfolio to achieve sustainable development results.
**About the Region**
The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.
**About the Country/Multi-Country Office**
Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.
**Job Specific Context**
The Partnership Specialist will establish and maintain strong relationships with Government Technical Departments and relevant national authorities to support strategic engagement and partnership development. The role will support the identification, negotiation, and formalization of partnerships through the development and signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with government entities, and facilitate the translation of signed agreements into practical action plans aligned with country priorities and programme objectives. Working closely with line ministries and key stakeholders, the Partnership Specialist will help identify sectoral needs, operational gaps, and areas where UNOPS can provide technical and operational support. The position will also contribute to resource mobilization efforts by supporting Government counterparts in the preparation of funding proposals for key development partners, including the African Development Bank (AFDB), World Bank, and European Union, while ensuring appropriate government endorsement and stakeholder engagement for UNOPS submissions and partnership initiatives.
In addition, the role will support the development of partnership and programme proposals in response to Calls for Proposals (CfPs) and direct requests from partners, while contributing to the revision and updating of country context analyses to inform strategic positioning and programme development. The Partnership Specialist is also expected to support participation in UN coordination mechanisms and inter-agency platforms, as agreed with the Country Programme Manager (CPM), and contribute to the preparation of annual country reports and UNCT/UNInfo reporting requirements in close collaboration with the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Project Management Office (PMO) teams.
**Role Purpose**
The Partnerships Specialist develops and implements partnership and programme development plans for the office. The role focuses on building and maintaining effective working relationships with governments, UN agencies, donors and other stakeholders to mobilize resources, expand the office’s portfolio, and strengthen the UNOPS positioning as a reliable development and implementation partner. The Partnerships Specialist also ensures that partnership initiatives are aligned with UNOPS’ global and regional priorities, contribute to sustainable results, and support the achievement of the office’s strategic objectives.
**Functions / Key Results Expected**
Partnership and Programme Development Planning
• Develop and implement a comprehensive partnersh
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