Strategic Partnerships Advisor

Role Purpose

The Strategic Partnerships Advisor, reporting to the Chief, Strategic Partnerships, is responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of a key partner segment plus one or more growth segments. The role drives growth in the volume and value of UNOPS portfolio and partner satisfaction across the assigned segments. It leads the definition of mission-aligned value propositions and segment strategies that underpin partnership development, opportunity development and the refinement of UNOPS service offerings.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Partner Segment Strategy and Portfolio Monitoring
  • Define UNOPS segment-based value propositions and relate these to core service offerings, framed by missions and informed by partner needs and emerging trends.
  • Identify and prioritise key partners within partner segments.
  • Develop partner segment strategies supported by market intelligence, identifying growth opportunities across partners, geographies and service offerings as a basis for directing resources.
  • Review segment portfolios for strategic alignment, value and balance.
  • Maintain visibility within segments of partners, pipeline, project portfolio and existing and emerging service offerings to drive growth.
  • Provide input into the opportunity development process to support portfolio growth.
  • Advise Key Partner Leads (KPLs) and other partner-facing personnel across UNOPS on partner strategies, portfolio development and engagement approaches.
  • Produce segment-specific marketing materials including qualification briefs for KPLs, geographic offices and other partner-facing personnel.
• Partner and Business Intelligence
  • Leverage partner and business intelligence to support the development and implementation of partner segment strategies and production of partner facing materials such as qualification briefs.
  • Guide analysis to generate insights for colleagues across UNOPS implementing segment strategies, drawing on available dashboards, datasets and reports.
  • Contribute to the design of tools and processes such as partner relationship management systems and partner surveys.
• Quality Standards and Capacity Development
  • Drive up technical quality standards for partner leadership and engagement, including for partner-related products such as concept notes and proposals.
  • Provide capacity development support for technical quality standards including guidance notes, advice and training to partner-facing personnel.
• People Leadership
  • Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability across the Strategic Partnerships team.
  • Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
  • Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Knowledge Management and Innovation
  • Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practice approaches in partner segmentation.
  • Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.

Skills

• Business Intelligence
• Data Analysis
• Growth Strategies
• Portfolio Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Strategic Thinking

Education Requirements

• Required: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 9 years of relevant experience OR Master's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 7 years of relevant experience is required.
• Desired: Formal training or certification in strategic planning, partnership development, market intelligence or data analytics.

Experience Requirements

• Required: Deep expertise in at least one of the following partner segments, with a strong track record of partnership development, segment strategy or portfolio growth in that segment: UN agencies; international financial institutions and multilateral and regional development banks; bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional partner segments, particularly where this includes a growth segment such as south-south cooperation, philanthropy or the private sector.
• Progressively responsible experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or portfolio management within international or similarly complex organizations, including engagement with diverse partner segments.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing partner or market segment strategies, defining value propositions, and driving portfolio growth, supported by strong business intelligence, market analysis, and oversight of complex pipelines from identification through to signature.
• Proven experience advising senior stakeholders, managing partner-facing processes and products, establishing business intelligence systems and tools, and strengthening quality standards and organizational capacity through guidance, training, and knowledge sharing.
• Experience of working in multicultural environments.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts.

• Desired: Experience of working in UN system organizations is desired.

Language Requirements

• Language: English, Proficiency Level: Fluent, Requirement: Required
• Language: French, Proficiency Level: Fluent, Requirement: Desirable
• Language: Spanish, Proficiency Level: Fluent, Requirement: Desirable
• Language: Arabic, Proficiency Level: Fluent, Requirement: Desirable
• Language: Chinese, Mandarin, Proficiency Level: Fluent, Requirement: Desirable
• Language: Russian, Proficiency Level: Fluent, Requirement: Desirable