Partnerships Specialist at UNOPS United Nations Office for Project Services

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 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.

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. 

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