Partnerships Officer

UN Secretariat; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

The UN Secretariat in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, seeks a Partnerships Officer to support the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team in forging strategic partnerships essential for SDG achievement.

You will lead the UN Partnership Strategy, liaise with government, development partners, civil society and the private sector, and contribute to resource mobilization, knowledge management, and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in business/public administration, sustainable development, social sciences or related field.
• First-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.
• Experience in strategic partnership support and resource mobilization.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships across government, private sector and civil society.
• Desirable: experience with inclusion strategies, knowledge management, UN interagency coordination.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the UN Partnership Strategy.
• Liaise with UN entities and external stakeholders.
• Support joint partnership and resource mobilization initiatives for the UN Development Cooperation Framework.
• Analyze funding streams and advise on corporate policies for resource management.
• Contribute to knowledge management and capacity development related to partnerships and resource mobilization, including data analysis for informed decision-making.

Skills

Strategic partnerships

Planning

Communication

Research

Data analysis

Partnership development

Resource mobilization

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Bachelor's degree plus 2 years qualifying experience

Job description

Organizational context: The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO) support countries in achieving development priorities and the SDGs, operating under the UN Secretariat's Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO). This role, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, supports the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team in strategic partnerships for SDG achievement, aligning with the UN 2.0 reform emphasizing data, digital, innovation, and a mission-driven culture.

Job purpose: The Partnerships Officer provides crucial advice and support to the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) and the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to foster strategic partnerships essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This role is integral to the UN's reform efforts, aiming to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the UN Development System. The officer will lead the development and implementation of the UN Partnership Strategy, coordinate with diverse stakeholders including government, development partners, civil society, and the private sector, and support resource mobilization initiatives. By building strong interfaces with external partners and leveraging innovative approaches, the position contributes to strengthening the UNCT's engagement, reputation, and financial resources to accelerate SDG progress.

Responsibilities: The Partnerships Officer is responsible for providing substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of UN strategic partnerships with government, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to advance SDG achievement. This includes leading the development and implementation of the UN Partnership Strategy, liaising with UN entities, and serving as a key contact for external stakeholders. The role involves building strong interfaces with partners, identifying and mitigating partnership risks, and providing input on due diligence processes. Additionally, the officer will support joint partnership and resource mobilization initiatives for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, analyze funding streams, and advise on corporate policies for resource management. The position also contributes to knowledge management and capacity development related to partnerships and resource mobilization, including research, analysis of best practices, and data analysis for informed decision-making.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in business/public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Further qualifications in data analytics, business analytics, or data science are 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 developing strategic partnerships across government, private sector, and civil society is essential. Experience in designing and implementing partnerships, resource mobilization strategies, and proposal preparation is also required. Experience with inclusion strategies, knowledge management, UN interagency coordination, and applied partnerships in specific thematic areas is desirable.

Skills:

• Professionalism in sustainable development theories and research.
• Strong planning and organizing abilities.
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to conduct independent research and analysis.
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation.
• Experience in partnership development and resource mobilization.

Required languages: English, Arabic, French