General Information

Position Title

Partnerships Officer

Job Category

Partnerships

Duty Station(s)

Addis Ababa

Seniority Level

Associate

ICS Level

ICS 08

Contract Type

ICA – IICA – Regular

Contract Level

IICA 1

Posting Start Date

15-Dec-2025

Posting End Date

29-Dec-2025

Duration

ongoing (subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability)

Job Highlight

This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and impact of UNOPS in the Horn of Africa. The Partnerships Officer will be at the forefront of developing strategic partnerships and expanding UNOPS” reach in the region, working on diverse projects that contribute to sustainable development.

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 Partnerships Officer will play a crucial role in facilitating the development of new business and partnership relationships between UNOPS and its partners, as well as expanding UNOPS presence in Ethiopia. The incumbent will work closely with Project managers, PMO, PSO and other relevant support service units to expand the business and client base.

Role Purpose

The Partnerships Officer is responsible for facilitating the development of new business and partnership relationships between UNOPS and its partners, as well as to expand UNOPS presence in Ethiopia. The incumbent shall work closely with Project managers, PMO, PSO and other relevant support service units to expand the business and client base.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Development and follow up of business opportunities

• Contributes and supports the development and implementation of EMCO business strategy.
• Conducts research on donor aid flows worldwide, UN and other agencies, trends in aid, potential future markets for growth, creating criteria for selecting target markets and partners, comparison of donor types, and market with special emphasis to HAMCO core business.
• Explore potentials for new programs and develop proposals for submission to partners.
• Synthesizes and summarizes information relevant to business development and prepare relevant reports, briefing notes/talking points/presentations and other materials for internal and external use.
• Advocates UNOPS as a partner and service provider of choice.
• Supports development of strategic partnerships with key counterparts and business opportunities.
• Maintain and develop contacts and partnerships within the donor community (UN agencies, host government, donor governments, donor organizations, etc.), monitor communications and follow-up activities.
• Support HAMCO Leadership team on the implementation and monitoring progress/ reporting of corporate and strategic initiatives.
• Identifies requirements related to marketing materials and the distribution thereof, as well as any reports/publications required for existing and potential clients and partners.
• Communicates with the relevant UNOPS personnel on matters pertaining to their respective responsibilities in relation to program and business development.
• Develops UNOPS capacity statements for the various services provided by UNOPS.
• Supports HAMCO operations and contributes to knowledge sharing, enhancing the harmonization of projects while facilitating synergies with team members.

2. Project Support

• Prepares project documents, legal agreements, budgets and support engagement clearance.
• Assists the preparation of meetings and events, draft talking points, and meeting minutes.
• Supports HAMCO leadership team in project compliance and quality assurance, by providing up to date analysis of project progress, by keeping track of performance vs portfolio Key Performance Indicators – KPIs.
• Collaborates with business area teams to understand project requirements, shape the initial project request, and provide a high-level estimate of the project effort and costs.
• Support to internal coordination of corporate and strategic initiatives, planning and reporting and knowledge sharing and communications.
• Conducting donor mapping, outreach planning and implementation, development of partnership monitoring tools and dashboards.
• Development of presentations, case studies and other relevant reports that support the business development effort.

3. Support communication and knowledge management

• Promote the circulation of information within HAMCO and its units, in order to support knowledge management and create cross synergies within HAMCO units.
• Together with the communication unit produce high quality communications and visibility materials of HAMCO on websites.

4. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Supports preparation of the monthly KPI reports as per EMCO target agreement.
• Prepare periodic updates on the progress of Corporate action plans.
• Provides ad hoc research on potential business partners.
• Involve in induction of new staff about UNOPS, its mandates, systems and operation.

Skills

Business Development, Communication, Market Research, Presentation Skills, Proposal Writing, Report Writing

Competencies

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.

Education Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Business/Commerce, Marketing, Economics, Management, International Affairs, Political science, Development Studies, or related discipline with 2 years of work experience.OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 1 year of relevant experience is required

Desired

• Certificate and knowledge of Prince2 methods and approach is desired.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Two (2) years of relevant experience in donor relations and business development functions is required.

Desired

• Experience working in the UN system or other international organizations is desired.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that 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.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

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.