JOB DESCRIPTION

This position’s key role is to support in the finalization of the ongoing negotiations with the European Commission, starting with the Pillar Assessment of the EC to access the financial instruments offered by the Commission, EFSD+ Guarantee negotiations and agreements from blending envelopes. On a broader mandate, it supports the UNCDF Strategic Engagement team based in headquarters to implement its broader corporate partnership strategy and provide information on the changing policy and funding mechanism modalities of the European Commission to the forefront.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Partnerships Development Analyst will be responsible for the following duties:

1) Facilitate UNCDF’s corporate partnerships strategy with EC/EU:

• Monitor relevant EU-level policy developments at the European Commission and help identify entry points for UNCDF.
• Contribute to UNCDF outreach and visibility efforts in Brussels, inter-institutionally within the UN system and with external stakeholders.
• Maintain a footprint in Brussels and provide support in fostering deeper relationships with key Directorate Generals from the European Commission (e.g. DG INTPA, DG NEAR and DG Mediterranean).
• Help identify opportunities for UNCDF to engage with broader European institutions and other key Brussels-based stakeholders, including the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and with special attention to Team Europe players such as EU Member States, their development agencies (e.g. GIZ, Expertise France, SNV) and Development Finance Institutions (e.g. EIB, KFW, AFD, FMO).

2) Provide Support to the Strategic Engagement Team (SET) to:

• Understand the state of play of other European donors vis-a-vis the European Commission, specially related to policy changes and priorities.
• Increase understanding of donor priorities and structures.
• Prepare and implement the corporate partnership strategy. Support in the preparation of strategic briefing materials to support UNCDF representation in meetings and events.
• Position UNCDF as a provider of blended finance solutions to the private sector and impact investors, elevating public-private partnerships.
• Ensure up to date information on funders’ strategies and priorities while leveraging all of the UNCDF themes and allowing UNCDF to coherently present, manage and increase its partnerships and proposal pipeline.
• Support development of tailored resource mobilization strategy at the global, regional and country levels in line with this research to ensure funding proposals are aligned to LDC country priorities, comparative advantages of UNCDF and funders’ interests.
• Monitor (quarterly) the implementation of the partnerships strategy at the global, regional and country levels by updating the resource mobilization pipeline report (soft, hard, signed) for senior management.

3) Enable the development and negotiations with the European Commission:

• Coordinate efforts internally at UNCDF and with the European Commission involved in the process of the Pillar 6 assessment for UNCDF.
• Coordinate efforts internally at UNCDF and with the European Commission involved in the EFSD+ Terms of Reference negotiations.
• Coordinate efforts internally at UNCDF and with the European Commission involved in the negotiation and contract signature for CAFI agreements.
• Based on the priorities identified by Senior Management, support countries, regions or thematic leads to develop funding proposals for submission to Blended Finance and EFSD+.

4) Work on integrating knowledge sharing into UNCDF corporate partnerships efforts and foster Knowledge exchange and learning between country and regional offices

• Support SET in internal learning events bringing to the table an angle that considers the European Commission’s trends and policies (i.e. Team meetings, retreats).
• Support SET’s efforts to build greater sharing of information and knowledge across UNCDF on Partnership’s strategies, with special focus on the European Commission.
• Assist SET’s in developing and maintaining contact databases for partners and other stakeholders

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:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1

• Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1

• Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1

• Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1

• Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1

• Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1

• Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1

• Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy: Systems Thinking    

• 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 Development: Knowledge Generation    

• Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations

Business Management: Portfolio Management    

• Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations

Business Management: Communication    

• 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. ‡Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

External Relations & Advocacy: Advocacy Strategy and Implementation    

• Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change

Partnership Management: Relationship Management    

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Partnership Management: EU partnerships    

• Knowledge and understanding of EU strategies, approached, processes and systems

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Academic Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, International Relations or related fields is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above area with two additional years of relevant work experience will be given due consideration in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant Work experience

• Minimum 2 years (with a Master’s degree) or 4 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of professional experience in positions in partnerships management with a focus on the European Commission (e.g. DG INTPA, NEAR and/or ECHO) and European bilateral donors.

Required skills and competencies

• At least 2 years of professional experience working with contracting, operations and finance with EU funded ‘Actions’

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Proven track record of strong analytical and research skills.
• Familiarity with UNDP/UNCDF.
• Experience providing logistical support to deliver successful corporate events.
• Experience providing blended finance advisory services in the context of international development, with hands-on experience in impact investments.
• Experience in donor intelligence gathering, researching donors/client priorities, identifying key stakeholders in organizations and creating engagement plans.
• Experience in agreement negotiations, contracting, operations, and finance of EU-funded projects.
• Previous experience with the European Commission’s Funding Mechanisms and FAFA Framework.

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another DG INTPA languages is desired. (Spanish, French, Portuguese)

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.

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.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  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

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements