General Information

Position Title

Partnerships Senior Officer (Partnerships and New Business)

Job Category

Partnerships

Duty Station(s)

Helsinki

Seniority Level

Mid Level

ICS Level

ICS 09

Contract Type

Staff – IP – FTA

Contract Level

IP P-2

Posting Start Date

08-Dec-2025

Posting End Date

22-Dec-2025

Duration

Open-ended subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or satisfactory performance

Job Highlight

The role focuses on prospecting, proposal development, and engagement with prospective UNGP partners. In particular, this role will have a focus on engaging with the Finnish and Nordic innovation ecosystem.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS” strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Not Required – part of GPO/NYPO

Job Specific Context

UN Global Pulse is the Secretary-General’s Innovation Lab. We work at the intersection of innovation and the human sciences to inform, inspire, and strengthen the ability of the United Nations family and those it serves to anticipate, respond and adapt to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Our teams are spread across the world, with hubs in Uganda, Indonesia, Finland and the United States. Drawing on more than a decade of experience with digital innovation in the UN family, UN Global Pulse unites specialists from the digital and social sciences in search of solutions to the world’s most pressing problems, from conflict to climate change.

We aim to reduce the risks that innovation involves and move towards the opportunities. We restore public trust in technology by making it inclusive, accessible and ethical. Our input brings value to the work of the UN and external partners in protecting the vulnerable and defending human rights.

The goals of the UN Global Pulse Network are: i) Support efforts to advance innovations ii) Contribute to the development of global frameworks, and iii) Support the transformation of the UN family.

The incumbent of the position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Role Purpose

To achieve its goals, UN Global Pulse is looking for a Partnerships Senior Officer (Partnerships and New Business) to support the Partnerships Team. The Partnerships Senior Officer (Partnerships and New Business) contributes to developing new funding opportunities and cultivating strategic non-financial partnerships to support the work of UN Global Pulse.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the supervision of the Partnerships Lead, the incumbent will:

1) Support new business development & prospecting

• Conduct prospect mapping to identify new financial and non-financial collaboration opportunities.

• Maintain and monitor a robust new business pipeline, ensuring accurate record keeping, forecasting and reporting.

• Support outreach to newly identified prospects and coordinate introductory meetings to support with their cultivation.

2) Support proposal development and resource mobilization

• Draft concept notes, project proposals, pitch decks and due diligence documentation.

• Coordinate internal inputs are gathered from across the relevant teams to ensure well-aligned proposals that benefit and include multiple UNGP priorities.

• Promote ethical and equitable approaches in all partnership activities and engagements.

3) Support ecosystem engagement

• Assist in planning visibility building moments and partner events.

• Represent UN Global Pulse at selected meetings and events when delegated.

4) Contribute to internal coordination and communication

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the new business strategy and annual plans.

  • Build strong relationships across internal UNGP and UN teams to gather insights and stories that can inform partnership development.

  • Contribute to a collaborative, ambitious, and inclusive fundraising culture across the organisation.

• Ensure accurate information sharing across hubs in particular relating to new prospects and engagement opportunities.

The results achieved will contribute to growing UN Global Pulse’s partnership pipeline and strengthening the UN’s innovation scaling efforts globally. Effective delivery in this role will enhance credibility, expand networks, and increase access to resources.

• Successful proposal submissions and conversions.

• Demonstrated support to partnership activities contributing to innovation scaling.

• Strengthened engagement with Finnish/Nordic ecosystem actors.

• Positive feedback from internal stakeholders on coordination and stewardship.

Skills

Diversity & Inclusion, Information Management, Stakeholder Management, Enterprise Communication & Collaboration, Integrity, Results oriented

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

• An advanced university degree (Master”s or equivalent) preferably in International Relations, Business Administration, Public Policy, Communications, Innovation Management, or other related field with 2 years of relevant experience is required OR

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor”s or equivalent) preferably in International Relations, Business Administration, Public Policy, Communications, Innovation Management, or other related field with 4 years of relevant experience

Experience Requirements

Required:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in one or more of the following areas: partnerships, donor relations, business development, or similar.
• Experience with private sector fundraising in a UN or humanitarian setting is required.
• Experience in developing and implementing strategic private sector fundraising plans, including budget management.

Desired:

• Knowledge of the donor funding landscape and emerging trends is desirable.

• Experience engaging with innovation ecosystems, philanthropy, or private sector actors is an asset.

• Experience with managing projects with a variety of stakeholders is desirable.

• Experience in establishing and implementing partnership strategies and plans in a UN context is desirable.

• Experience in building and cultivating strategic donor partnerships with senior stakeholders and demonstrable experience of engaging with private sector, foundations, government and multi-lateral donors is an asset.

• Experience in developing and managing partnership databases and tracking systems is an asset.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredFinnishIntermediateDesirable

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.