Senior Partnerships Advisor

Background and Organizational Context

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.

UNCDF’s financing models work through three channels: inclusive digital economies, connecting individuals, households, and small businesses with financial eco-systems that catalyze participation in the local economy, and provide tools to climb out of poverty and manage financial lives; local development finance, that capacitates localities through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance to drive local economic expansion and sustainable development; and investment finance, that provides catalytic financial structuring, de-risking, and capital deployment to drive SDG impact and domestic resource mobilization. By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to Sustainable Development Goal-SDG 1 on eradicating poverty and SDG 17 on the means of implementation. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access, UNCDF contributes to a broad diversity of SDGs.

UNCDF’s programmatic engagement with the European Commission and other European and non-European institutions is growing and covers an increasingly wide range of issues including green jobs and local economies, climate change and local government finance, municipal finance, and youth and SME finance, with a focus on the least developed countries (LDCs) and other developing countries. In line with partner priorities, UNCDF’s unique mandate and financial tools and instruments can contribute to supporting LDCs and other developing countries in their transition to green economies and societies; addressing the climate emergency; and promoting inclusive growth and job creation, in particular for youth and women, using digitalization as an accelerator, addressing current challenges including irregular migration and promoting peace and stability.

The UNCDF Brussels Liaison Office coordinates UNCDF corporate analysis of developments and trends related to EU
institutions, contributes to UN system processes in the Brussels arena, supports UNCDF strategic engagement, policy and technical dialogue with EU and Brussels based partners, ensures UNCDF positioning with existing and new EU instruments, promotes UNCDF outreach and visibility efforts and supports UNCDF field-based presences concerning collaboration with the EU Delegations.

Position Purpose

The Senior Partnerships Advisor reports to the Head of the Policy, Partnership, and Communication Unit based at UNCDF HQ in New York, and supports the three substantive unit heads (Inclusive Digital Economies, Local Transformative Finance, and the LDC Investment Platform) in their resource mobilization efforts and engagements with the EU and Brussels based partners.

The Senior Partnerships Advisor engages with the EU in strengthening UNCDF positioning and partnership base with the EU, coordinating dialogue with new EU institutions and Brussels-based stakeholders, representing UNCDF in the UN Brussels team, identifying partnership opportunities, ensuring quality outreach and visibility as well as quality assurance of contractual engagement in the context of the Financial and Administrative Framework Agreement (FAFA). S/he works closely with other members of UNCDF Brussels team, in close cooperation with programme staff at HQ and in the field, as well as with the Policy, Partnership and Communication Unit at HQ. The work requires experience with the EU Institutions and Commission, both at policy and field level, in strategic dialogue and partnership building, outreach and visibility and EU programme and project implementation, and a demonstrated familiarity with the UN and the UN’s relationship with the EU.

The Senior Partnerships Advisor also supports UNCDF’s engagement with other development partners identified in consultation with UNCDF Senior Management, including initially Belgium and Japan in addition to the EU.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

The Senior Partnerships Advisor is responsible for the monitoring of EU policies and strategic planning and identifying both strategic partnership and programming opportunities between UNCDF and the European Union, as well as other donors determined in consultation with UNCDF Senior Management, including Belgium and Japan

The Senior Partnerships Advisor represents UNCDF on the UN Brussels team and assures dialogue coordination and partnership building with EU and Brussels partners including UN agencies, for outreach and visibility of UNCDF and to ensure the highest quality in UNCDF contractual engagement in the context of the Financial and Administrative Framework Agreement (FAFA) and related requirements.

The Senior Partnerships Advisor will be working closely and directly with UNCDF colleagues leading EU policy and technical dialogue on key priority topics of common interests to EU and UNCDF and/or in charge of portfolio of EU funded interventions at global, regional and country levels.

The Senior Partnerships Advisor’s main responsibilities will include:

Monitor EU policies, strategic planning and identify programming opportunities (10%)
Coordinate, and facilitate dialogue and partnership building with EU institutions and Brussels based partners (including notably the UN family) (20%)
Coordinate UNCDF outreach and visibility efforts in Brussels (20%) Ensure quality of contractual commitments (20%)
Coordinate, and facilitate dialogue and partnership building with other development partners including Belgium and Japan, and others partners identified in consultation with UNCDF Senior Management (20%)
Coordinate and support UNCDF staff in their engagements with the EU, Belgium, Japan, and other development partners identified and assigned by UNCDF Senior Management (10%)
Coordinate and support UNCDF staff in their engagement with the EU and other designated donors (20%)

1) MONITOR EU POLICIES, STRATEGIC PLANNING AND IDENTIFY PROGRAMME OPPORTUNITIES.

Duties:

Monitor from a UNCDF perspective relevant policy developments at EU level, particularly in key UNCDF priority areas and prepare regular analysis to share with relevant UNCDF staff;
Review and analyze the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027, the “Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI),” and key EU strategic frameworks such as the Global Gateway to identify entry points for UNCDF engagement, building on its comparative advantage;
Coordinate and prepare, in partnership with relevant UNCDF colleagues, technical inputs for policy and technical dialogue and consultations with the EU;
Provide substantive advice to UNCDF colleagues for meetings and other consultations with the EU, including preparation of briefs and other materials; real-time donor intelligence captured, analyzed and prepared, including interests, priorities, issues, and changes in the political and aid environment.

2) COORDINATE, AND FACILITATE DIALOGUE AND PARTNERSHIP BUILDING WITH BRUSSELS-BASED PARTNERS.

Duties:

Coordinate, and facilitate the development of UNCDF strategic partnerships and dialogue with EU partners, complementing existing networks developed and maintained by UNCDF practice areas and programmes, including European Parliament (Brussels/Strasbourg), European Investment Bank (EIB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Council of the European Union, Committee of the Regions, and EU Member States Representations;
Coordinate, and facilitate the development of UNCDF strategic partnerships and dialogue with Brussels-based stakeholders and partners, as relevant, complementing existing networks developed and maintained by UNCDF practice areas and programmes, including the Africa Caribbean and Pacific Secretariat, media, think tanks, civil society organizations, NGOS and private sector;
Support UNCDF practice areas and programmes in resource mobilization efforts, including attending relevant meetings, carrying out analysis, leading, coordinating or contributing to proposal drafting, as appropriate, etc;
Lead effective dialogue with the UN System and the UN Brussels Team and ensure UNCDF strategic positioning, identifying opportunities for collaboration with other UN agencies.

3) LEAD OUTREACH AND VISIBILITY EFFORTS.

Duties:

Ensure the visibility of UNCDF work as well as the visibility of the EU in close collaboration with UNCDF EU funded programmes and the UNCDF communication colleagues and in line with EU communication and visibility guidelines;
Raise awareness about UNCDFs capacity to deploy a range of financial instruments (grants, loans, guarantees), in particular with EU subject to UNCDFs pillar assessment for innovative financing;
Lead the communication efforts of UNCDF in Brussels, prepare the annual outreach and visibility plan and ensure its implementation;
Coordinate and facilitate UNCDF engagement at key EU events inter alia, the European Development Days, facilitate and organize UNCDF-led events, such as info-point seminars, seminars at the UN house, brown bag lunches, in close collaboration with UNCDF EU funded programmes;
Prepare the UNCDF Brussels newsletter and ensure adequate visibility through social media, Cap4Dev and other communication channels as appropriate, in close collaboration with UNCDF EU funded programmes;
Prepare high-quality briefing materials to support UNCDF representation in meetings and events organized by partners and represent UNCDF in events, as appropriate.

4) ENSURE QUALITY OF CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS.

Duties:

Represent UNCDF, in the FAFA Working Group and related working groups;
Work closely with the Partnerships Unit and the Office of Finance and Management Services (OFMS) at HQ for the provision of guidance to UNCDF field offices to ensure effective and efficiency in disbursement and management of EU resources, adjusting to latest contracting and engagement modalities (e.g. guidance, webinars, support for preparation of audits, verification exercises and dialogue with EU court of auditors, etc.).
Identify and analyze new financial instruments (e.g. Trust Funds) and their special requirements;
Ensure close follow up with UNCDF HQ, in particular the LDC Investment Platform and the OFMS, on the undertaking of the EU pillar assessment for innovative financing;
Prepare and share guidance to UNCDF colleagues in dialogue and contract development with EU Brussels or Delegations on EU instruments, facilitate provision of quality assurance and review of contracts with the EU to ensure that they are in line with FAFA provisions, contractual agreement and annexes, as well as UNCDF mandate, rules and regulations.

5) COORDINATE, AND FACILITATE DIALOGUE WITH OTHER DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS IN ADDITION TO THE EU, AS DETERMINED IN CONSULTATION WITH SENIOR MANAGEMENT.

Duties:

Coordinate, and facilitate the development of UNCDF strategic partnerships and dialogue with the government of Belgium;
Monitor the implementation of the MoU with Enabel – Belgian Development Agency and identify and create opportunities for operationalization the MoU in close collaboration with UNCDF programmes engaged with Enabel – Belgian Development Agency;
Coordinate, and facilitate the development of UNCDF strategic partnerships and dialogue with the government of Japan;
Explore, cultivate, and develop partnerships with Japan’s development organizations, including Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC);
Explore, cultivate, and develop partnerships with the Japanese private sector, including by engaging with the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) and Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai);
Identify new donors/partners and coordinate and facilitate the development of UNCDF strategic partnerships in consultation with UNCDF Senior Management.

6) COORDINATE AND SUPPORT UNCDF STAFF IN THEIR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE EU AND OTHER DESIGNATED DONORS.

Duties:

Support the engagement of UNCDF staff with the EU and other assigned development partners, ensuring coherence across UNCDF and alignment with corporate priorities;
Create and maintain community of practice of UNCDF staff working on or engaging with the EU and EU institutions.

Managerial Responsibilities:

The Senior Partnerships Advisor will contribute to consolidation and upscaling of the UNCDF positioning with the EU, Brussels based partners, and other development partners determined in consultation with UNCDF Senior Management, including Belgium and Japan. Key primary and secondary deliverables shall include:

Primary:

Signed agreements for new pools of funding from the EU, Brussels based partners, and other development partners determined in consultation with UNCDF Senior Management, including Belgium and Japan for 2023 and future periods.

Secondary:

Strengthened strategic positioning
Widened and stronger partnership base
Increased outreach and visibility

The deliverables, in particular the primary deliverable, will be assessed against timely completion and quality of work.

Requirements:

Education:

Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in public administration, business management and administration, planning, economics, environmental science, political sciences, social sciences or related field.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

Experience required:

A minimum of 10 years of relevant and progressive working experience in the area of development, of which at least 8 years at the international level;
At least 7 years of experience with European Union institutions including EU policymaking, strategic planning and/or programming; experience with several EU institutions is preferred;
A minimum of 5 years experience of and/or in developing countries, with preference for experience focused on LDCs;
Work experience in developing countries and Least Developed Countries is an asset;
Prior experience and familiarity with key and emerging issues related to EU priority areas;
Proven communication and advocacy skills, and ability to work in an environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors, including government representatives, donors and other stakeholders;
Demonstrated experience with local government finance, local development, digital financial inclusion, and financial instruments (loans and/or guarantees) is preferred;
Experience with a UN organization-agency in an LDC is desirable;
Demonstrated experience with formulating and/or managing EU-funded programmes and projects is highly desirable;
Experience with UNDP/UNCDF Rules and Processes is desirable.

Language/s Required:

Fluency in both oral and written English is required. Fluency in French is an asset.
Knowledge of another UN official language or the language of any other major development partner is considered a distinct advantage.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies:

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Partnership Management: Resource mobilization

Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.

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: Strategic Engagement

Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.

Business Development: UNCDF Representation

Ability to represent UNCDF and productively share UNCDF knowledge and activities; advocate for UNCDF, its values, mission and work with various constituencies.

Business Development: Knowledge Generation

Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

Business Management: Quality Assurance

Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to ensure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled.

Business Management: Subject Matter Expertise

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of public and private finance and financing for development.