Background
General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to โbring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDFs vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.
UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDFโs unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022โ2031.
As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, UNOs, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources. UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways in order to mobilize investments flows from other sources, in particular from the private sector. ย By structuring transactions which are highly impactful but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders. ย UNCDFโs work is focused on six priority areas, including:
โข Sub-national and local infrastructure financing
โข Women owned enterprise financing
โข Nature and climate financing
โข Energy and decarbonization finance
โข Sustainable food systems financing
โข Inclusive digital finance
Following a recent restructuring, UNCDFโs organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York, USA. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321(XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by the Executive Board of United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and performs the function of the Executive Board of UNCDF.
Position Purpose
The Partnerships and Coordination Specialist will play a pivotal role in advancing UNCDFโs mandate through strategic partnerships, expanding political capital, advocacy, and coordination. The incumbent will be responsible for high-level coordination, strategic planning, and operational leadership, supporting the successful execution of events, projects, and institutional initiatives and advocacy efforts to ensure effective resource mobilization, alignment with the organization's strategic framework, and successful engagement in global, regional, and institutional events.
UNCDF adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNCDF personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
1.)ย Develop strategic partnerships and advocacy
Coordinate efforts to develop and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, private sector entities, and civil society. Advocate for UNCDFโs mandate and initiatives to increase political capital at high-profile events such as Conference of Parties (COP), Davos, High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), Forum Island Countries (FICs) and other international for a.2.)ย Lead advisory and donor relations
Provide strategic advice to the External Relations Advisor on donor sensitivities, priorities, and emerging trends in international development funding. Engage in intelligence gathering and donor consultations to inform the drafting of a new strategic framework aligned with the resource mobilization plan. Act as focal point for specific Member States, coordinating briefings, donor meetings, and other engagements to foster trust and collaboration with current and prospective partners. Represent UNCDF in inter-agency coordination processes, fostering synergies with UN system entities to achieve common goals.3.) Ensure effective planning and coordination of high-level events
Plan and coordinate UNCDFโs senior management participation in regional roundtables, high-level events, UN General Assembly resolutions, and Second Committee deliberations. Support preparations for Financing for Development (FfD) forums, ensuring smooth participation and representation of UNCDF. Coordinate the preparation of background materials, talking points, and briefing notes for high-level engagements and events, undertaking necessary research and manipulating sensitive information.4.) Contribute to the development of the UNCDF Strategic Framework and its resource mobilization plan
Contribute to the shaping of the new Strategic Framework, ensuring alignment with UNCDFโs resource mobilization priorities and donor expectations. Coordinate internal and external consultations and gather inputs from key stakeholders to refine the strategic direction. Advise and support the development of the organization-wide resource mobilization plan to accompany the 2026-2029 Strategic Framework.5.) Ensure monitoring and reporting of partnership initiatives and facilitating knowledge management
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of partnership initiatives and advocacy efforts, ensuring alignment with UNCDFโs goals. Prepare reports, briefs, and analysis to inform decision-making and track progress against strategic objectives. Anticipate potential reputational risks and advise senior leadership on appropriate preventive measures. Coordinate inter-bureau efforts to support UNCDF business processes by tracking corporate deliverables. Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to partnership goals.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies Core Competencies:ย
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3
Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsLearn Continuously: LEVEL 3
Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiencesAdapt with Agility: LEVEL 3
Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demandsAct with Determination: LEVEL 3
Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater resultsEngage and Partner: LEVEL 3
Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaborationEnable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3
Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivityCross-Functional & Technical Competencies
Business Direction and Strategy: System Thinkingย ย ย ย
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.Business Management: Partnerships Management ย ย ย ย
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 policiesBusiness Management: Communicationsย ย ย ย
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. ย Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.Partnership Management: Multi-Stakeholder Engagement and Fundingย ย ย ย
Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.Communications: Advocacy Strategy and Implementationย ย ย ย
Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change.General (across the functions): Event Planning and Executionย ย ย ย
Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNCDF's overall brand and mandate.Partnership Management:ย Resource Mobilization ย ย ย ย
Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet fundingrequirements
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in Diplomacy, Public Administration, Business Administration, International Relations or equivalent required. Or A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
A minimum of five (5) years (with masterยดs degree) or seven (7) years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant work experience in partnerships, external relations and resource mobilization on international development is required.ย Proven experience and good knowledge of partnership building, public relations and advocacy, preferably in the international development area, is an advantage. Demonstrated experience and sound knowledge and understanding of UNDP/UNCDFโs work in headquarters, regional offices, and/or country offices is an advantage.ย Well-versed in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling web-based management systems and social media are required. Experience engaging and supporting top-tier management in partnerships is an asset. Demonstrated experience in planning and coordinating high- level events is an asset. Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of partnership initiatives and advocacy efforts is an asset.Language Requirement:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Scam alert
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