Caribbean OCT and EU Engagement Specialist

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services; Deutschland; Remote; EUR 70.000 - 120.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Travel opportunities

Home-based retainer contract

International travel potential

Zusammenfassung

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services is seeking an experienced Caribbean OCT and EU Engagement Specialist. Embedded in Barbados operations, you will identify and manage partnerships across governments, regional and international organizations, and the private sector to advance UNOPS engagement strategies in the Caribbean.

You will focus on OCTs, Dutch-speaking Caribbean and EU leads, developing value propositions and leading a strategic pipeline while ensuring alignment with UNSDCF

Qualifikationen

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business Administration, International Development, Political Science).
• Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements.
• At least 5 years of international development experience, with experience in partnership and programme development, proposal writing, and project acquisition.

Aufgaben

• Identify, develop and manage strategic partnerships with governments, regional and international organizations, private sector entities, civil society and academia.
• Lead engagement with EU delegations and regional bodies; translate development needs into actionable project proposals.
• Design tailored services addressing vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States, focusing on climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure.
• Cultivate a robust network of diplomatic, governmental and private sector contacts within the Caribbean to solidify UNOPS as a partner of choice.
• Oversee end-to-end development of new business leads; ensure financial viability and alignment with UNOPS mandates.
• Formulate financing strategies, including blended finance and multi-partner arrangements for OCT projects.

Kenntnisse

Donor Engagement

Partner Management

Strategic Partnerships

Partner Development

Ausbildung

Master’s degree in relevant field

Bachelor’s degree + 2 years essential experience

Jobbeschreibung

Caribbean OCT and EU Engagement Specialist

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services Remote | Home Based - May require travel Both national and international ICSC-10 level Speaks Dutch, English, French, Spanish

Caribbean OCT and EU Engagement Specialist

Job Category

Partnerships

Duty Station(s)

Home based

Seniority Level

ICS 10

Contract Type

ICA - IICA - Retainer

IICA 2

Posting Start Date

19-Aug-2026

Posting End Date

25-Aug-2026

Duration

one year with the possibility of extension

Job Highlight

The Caribbean OCT and EU Engagement Specialist will be responsible for identifying, developing, and managing strategic partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, regional organizations, international organizations, private sector entities, civil society organizations, and academic institutions within the OCT Caribbean and with a specific focus on the EU. Embedded in the Caribbean operations and in close coordination with UNOPS liaison offices, the Caribbean OCT and EU Engagement Specialist will play a critical role in the implementation of UNOPS engagement strategy in the Caribbean.

About the Region

In Latin America and the Caribbean, UNOPS operates across 23 countries, delivering high-impact solutions that drive sustainable development. UNOPS focuses on building and improving resilient infrastructure—including roads, bridges, public facilities, sanitation systems, and housing—to enhance quality of life and foster inclusive growth. UNOPS also supports public health by procuring essential medicines and medical equipment, ensuring broader access to healthcare services. By strengthening institutional capacities, UNOPS promotes transparent, efficient, and equitable public management. As a trusted partner to governments and development stakeholders, UNOPS aligns its interventions with national priorities, helping countries advance the Sustainable Development Goals through practical, results-driven support.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

The Barbados Country Office (CO) functions as a strategic hub to support Caribbean nations in implementing the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), helping regional leaders advance a global agenda on climate justice and financing. The primary mandate of the Barbados Country Office is to Speed Up and Scale Up engagements across 17 Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), ensuring that partner expectations are met with agility and precision. Through dedicated operational presence, UNOPS Barbados Country Office streamlines complex regional logistics and fosters stronger collaboration with sovereign governments and financial institutions in the Caribbean. The office focuses on delivering high-value solutions aligned with the region’s priorities, including the economy, nature and climate, human capital, infrastructure and capacity development.

Job Specific Context

The Strategic Positioning team within UNOPS Barbados operations is responsible for ensuring that BBCO is perceived as the partner of choice for Caribbean SIDS. Through partners engagement and visibility, it drives expansion and diversification of the BBCO portfolio by establishing high-value partnerships and enhancing UNOPS visibility across the Caribbean.

Role Purpose

The Specialist will focus on OCTs, Dutch-speaking Caribbean and EU-specific leads. Through targeted engagements and the development of a meaningful value offer, he will ensure alignment with UNOPS’s wider strategic priorities and the specific development needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

There might be two contract options to consider in this vacancy announcement:

• Short-term / part-time opportunities on home-based retainer contracts or similar as per current organizational need.
• Full-time open-ended (no end date) contract home-based

Functions / Key Results Expected

This is currently a retainer role, and the incumbent will perform one or more of the following functions:

Targeted Market Analysis: Conduct rigorous assessments of the socio-economic landscapes within the Dutch-speaking Caribbean and OCTs to identify untapped entry points for UNOPS interventions.

EU Synergy Mapping: Intelligence gathering on European Union funding cycles to align UNOPS' technical capabilities with EU regional priorities.

SIDS Advocacy: Design and promote tailored service offerings that directly address the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States, focusing on climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure.

Relationship Management & Representation

High-Level Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate and manage a robust network of diplomatic, governmental, and private sector contacts within the Caribbean to solidify UNOPS as a partner of choice.

EU-Lead Cultivation: Act as the primary technical focal point for EU delegations and regional bodies, translating complex development needs into actionable project proposals.

Inter-Agency Collaboration: Promote and position the organization in regional forums to ensure that OCT-specific initiatives are synchronized with broader UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF).

Programmatic Alignment & Value Creation

Bespoke Value Propositions: Develop high-impact briefing notes and concept papers that articulate the UNOPS value offer specifically for the challenges faced by Caribbean partners.

Strategic Pipeline Oversight: Lead the end-to-end development of new business leads, ensuring every opportunity is vetted for financial viability and alignment with UNOPS’ strategic mandates.

Resource Mobilization: Formulate innovative financing strategies, including blended finance or multi-partner trust funds, specifically geared toward the scale and scope of OCT development projects.

Skills

Donor Engagement, Partner Management, Strategic Partnerships, Partner Development

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

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

A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Political Science, Communications or International Relations.

A combination of a Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience Requirements

Required

At least 5 years of experience in international development including demonstrated experience in: Developing and executing partnership and programme development plans; Project development and proposal writing; Acquisition of projects.

Experience working with EU Government and/or Caribbean OCTs is required.

Establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international development organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs or private sector organisations.

Prior experience working in international organisations, international development, post-disaster and/or emergency contexts would also be an advantage.

Language Requirements

Language

Proficiency Level

Requirement

English Fluent Required

Spanish Fluent Desirable

Dutch Fluent Desirable

French Fluent Desirable

Additional Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• 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.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• 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.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

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.