Partnerships Specialist (Internal Candidates Only)

Deadline: October 08, 2026 (15 days)

Partnerships Specialist (Internal Candidates Only) | UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services

Partnerships Specialist (Internal Candidates Only)

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services

Dar es Salaam

Both national and international

ICSC-10 level

Speaks English

Application

Apply

Summary by Impactpool

The Partnerships Specialist will develop and implement partnership and program development plans for East African countries, focusing on building relationships with governments, UN agencies, and donors. This role aims to mobilize resources and expand the office's portfolio while ensuring alignment with UNOPS' strategic objectives. The specialist will supervise communications and partnership personnel and coordinate with various stakeholders to enhance UNOPS' visibility and effectiveness. The position requires a strong background in international development and partnership management.

Candidate

Requirements

Master’s degree in relevant field

5 years of

Required

A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, Political Science, Communications or International Relations.

A combination of a Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work

outlined above.

Required

At least 5 years of

Language

Proficiency Level

for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

Summary by Impactpool

The Partnerships Specialist will develop and implement partnership and program development plans for East African countries, focusing on building relationships with governments, UN agencies, and donors. This role aims to mobilize resources and expand the office's portfolio while ensuring alignment with UNOPS' strategic objectives. The specialist will supervise communications and partnership personnel and coordinate with various stakeholders to enhance UNOPS' visibility and effectiveness. The position requires a strong background in international development and partnership management.

Candidate

Master’s degree in relevant field

5 years of

Experience

in international development

in partnership and program development

Project development and proposal writing skills

Fluency in English

General Information

Position Title

Partnerships Specialist (Internal Candidates Only)

Vacancy Type

Internal candidates only

Job Category

Partnerships

Duty Station(s)

Dar-es-Salaam

Seniority Level

Mid Level

ICS Level

ICS 10

Contract Type

ICA - IICA - Regular

Contract Level

IICA 2

Posting Start Date

23-Sep-2026

Posting End Date

08-Oct-2026

Duration

Open ended subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

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 Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational

may be accepted in lieu of the

in an International Development including demonstrated

in:

Developing and executing partnership, communications and programme development plans;

Project development and proposal writing;

identifying, developing and/or negotiating partnership opportunities with IFIs/MDBs, including translating government and financing institution priorities into implementable projects and programmes.

Establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international development organizations, governments, foundations, international NGOs or private sector organizations.

Prior

working in international organisations, international development, post-disaster and/or emergency contexts is required.

Desired

Project and programme management

is an asset

providing strategic oversight or direction to communications, advocacy or visibility activities in support of organizational or partnership objectives is an asset.

Language

outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.

We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.

UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.

For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract

here

.

For more details about the contract types, please

click here.

All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.

Before applying, please make sure that you have read the

in international development

in partnership and program development

Project development and proposal writing skills

Fluency in English

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Partnerships Specialist (Internal Candidates Only)

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services

Dar es Salaam

Both national and international

ICSC-10 level

Speaks English

Apply

Education

and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS’ commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

Job Specific Context

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Multi Country Office Director

and in close coordination with the Regional Office, the East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office (ESAMCO) and the Partnerships Group, the Partnerships Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing the partnership development plan and supporting the development of communications plans for Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. He/She will supervise Communications and Partnership personnel within the area of responsibility.

Role Purpose

The Partnerships Specialist develops and implements partnership and programme development plans for the East African Countries. 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

1. Partnership and programme development planning

Develop a comprehensive partnership development and communications plan in line with UNOPS Strategic Plan and Regional Strategies. This includes country context, analysis of the regional and national development and humanitarian landscape, identification of main partners, strategic positioning of UNOPS in the potential operational niches identified, as well as growth pipeline opportunities for Tanzania. Ensure the plan reflects in-house capacity, typology of projects and the internal tools and knowledge resources.

Ensure communications and visibility are strategically integrated into partnership development and positioning, including identifying opportunities to strengthen UNOPS visibility, demonstrate results and support engagement with priority partners.

Examine risks and opportunities presented by the strategic positioning of the Country office and propose appropriate responses to ensure sustainable growth.

Coordinate and collaborate with relevant Partnerships personnel at local, liaison and HQ level, as well as Project Managers and project personnel of the country offices covered by the office, to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners.

2. Develop opportunities

Monitor and evaluate humanitarian and development trends and needs to identify areas of collaboration within the UNOPS mandate and existing capacity.

Research events, publications and announcements, to track and screen opportunities for possible UNOPS interventions and identify trends that will drive partnership opportunities.

Provide advice and feedback to UNOPS HQ and Regional Office on the development of framework partnership agreements that can increase opportunities at the regional level.

Contribute to the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects and programs and draft concept notes and project document briefs for discussion with partners.

Create and maintain engagement opportunities and engagement functionalities in alignment with UNOPS corporate guidelines and relevant platforms.

Coordinate technical and financial requirements, and negotiate proposals to close new project opportunities.

Drafts agreements and/or contractual documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.

Understand and clearly explain UNOPS pricing policy to partners.

Contribute to the diversification of the Multi Country / Country Office in line with UNOPS strategic and Regional objectives, with a focus on other Portuguese speaking countries in Africa.

In coordination with the Communications and Reporting personnel, when available, gather content for communications and outreach materials for any countries managed within the scope of the UNOPS office or by the Partnerships Group.

3. Representation and inter-agency partnership

Establish and further develop partnerships with UN agencies, international organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs and private sector organisations to diversify project opportunities within the Multi Country / Country Office.

Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Communications Officer, when required.

On behalf of the Country Manager, participate in and report on the relevant inter-agency, donor and government coordination meetings including addressing project development issues in consultation with UNOPS project managers and technical experts when required. Take part in UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNSDCF, response plans, etc.

Provide strategic direction to communications personnel, ensuring communications activities, external messaging and visibility efforts are aligned with country priorities, partnership objectives and UNOPS positioning.

Build a network of key partners, keeping abreast of evolving trends (social, economic, and political), including the application of innovation to project and partnership development.

4. Knowledge management and innovation

Implement standards, tools and templates provided by HQ to effectively manage partnership and project development within the team to enhance/maintain UNOPS effectiveness as a provider of project services for sustainable results.

Contribute to the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximise performance and sustain achievements in project and partnership development.

Help build partnerships capacity and negotiation skills among project managers

Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building within project and partnership development.

Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure its relevance to day-to-day operations.

Skills

Business Planning, Partnerships, Proposal Writing, Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Management

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others.

For people managers only:

Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Requirement

English

Fluent

Required

Additional Information

UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.

UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.

UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and