Partnerships Officer

UN Secretariat; Manama; On-site; BHD 23,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

UN Secretariat in Manama, Bahrain, is seeking a Partnerships Officer to support the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team in developing and implementing strategic partnerships for SDG achievement.

The role emphasizes alignment of UN activities with national priorities, advising on partnership strategies, coordinating inter-agency collaboration, and mobilizing resources across government, private sector and civil society.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in business, public administration, sustainable development or related field.
• Minimum five years of progressive experience in strategic partnership support.
• Experience in development cooperation and resource mobilization.
• Languages: Arabic, English, French.

Responsibilities

• Provide substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of UNCT partnerships.
• Advise on UN Partnership Strategy and the Cooperation Framework.
• Monitor results, report on Joint Workplans, liaise with UN entities.
• Engage with government, private sector and civil society for partnerships.

Skills

Strategic partnerships

Project management

Resource mobilization

Data analytics

Interagency coordination

Communication

Planning and organizing

Data visualization

Education

Advanced university degree in relevant field

First-level university degree + 2 years qualifying experience

Job description

Organizational context: The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), part of the UN Secretariat's Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO), support countries in achieving the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. Empowered UN Resident Coordinators lead these offices. The RCO in Manama, Bahrain, operates under the UN 2.0 shift, focusing on data, digital, innovation, and strategic foresight to accelerate SDG attainment through partnerships.

Job purpose: The Partnerships Officer in Manama, Bahrain, supports the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) and UN Country Team (UNCT) in developing and implementing strategic partnerships for SDG achievement. This role is crucial for aligning UN activities with national development priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The officer advises on partnership strategies, facilitates inter-agency collaboration, and acts as a key liaison for external stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society. The position contributes to resource mobilization, knowledge management, and the overall effectiveness of the UN's development operations in the country, ensuring alignment with UN 2.0 principles.

Responsibilities: The Partnerships Officer provides substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of UNCT partnerships for SDG achievement, advising on UN Partnership Strategy and the Cooperation Framework. Responsibilities include monitoring results, reporting on Joint Workplans, and liaising with UN entities to define partnership value propositions. The role involves building interfaces with development partners, government, private sector, and civil society, and supporting due diligence for partnership opportunities. Additionally, the officer participates in joint partnership and resource mobilization initiatives, supports the management of pooled funds, and analyzes funding streams. They also contribute to knowledge management, capacity development, and data analysis for informed decision-making, reporting, and promoting innovative approaches to partnerships and SDG financing.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, education, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Completion of data analytics, business analytics, or data science programs is advantageous.

Work experience: A minimum of five years of progressive experience in strategic partnership support, project/programme management, and resource mobilization within development cooperation is required. Experience in developing partnerships across government, private sector, and civil society is essential. Experience in designing and implementing partnerships, resource mobilization strategies, and preparing project proposals is also required. Experience in UN interagency coordination, data analytics, and promoting knowledge management is desirable.

Skills: Professionalism in sustainable development, research, and analysis; Technological awareness; Planning and organizing skills; Effective communication (written and verbal); Ability to develop strategic partnerships; Experience in resource mobilization; Knowledge of UN interagency coordination; Data analysis and visualization skills.

Required languages: Arabic, English, French

Desired languages: