Partnerships Specialist at UNOPS – September 2026

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is seeking a Partnerships Specialist to support partnership development, resource mobilization, programme growth, and strategic stakeholder engagement across East African countries.

Job Details

Details	Information
Position	Partnerships Specialist
Job Category	Partnerships
Employer	UNOPS
Duty Station	Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Seniority Level	Mid Level
ICS Level	ICS 10
Contract Type	ICA – IICA – Regular
Contract Level	IICA 2
Posting Date	1 September 2026
Application Deadline	15 September 2026
Contract Duration	Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, funding availability and satisfactory performance

 

About UNOPS Africa Regional Office

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, oversees more than 250 projects across 40 countries and supports initiatives in areas including climate action, health, infrastructure, peace and security, and project management. The office provides strategic and operational support across the continent.

The East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Zambia, Zanzibar and Zimbabwe.

Job Purpose

The Partnerships Specialist will develop and implement partnership and programme development plans for East African countries. The role involves building relationships with governments, UN agencies, donors and other stakeholders to mobilize resources, expand UNOPS’ portfolio and strengthen its position as a development and implementation partner.

Key Responsibilities

1. Partnership & Programme Development

• Develop partnership development and communications plans aligned with UNOPS strategic and regional priorities.
• Analyse national and regional development and humanitarian landscapes.
• Identify potential partners, strategic opportunities and growth pipelines.
• Integrate communications and visibility into partnership development.
• Identify strategic risks and opportunities.
• Coordinate with Partnerships personnel, Project Managers and other relevant teams.

2. Opportunity Development

• Monitor humanitarian and development trends to identify collaboration opportunities.
• Research events, publications and announcements for potential project opportunities.
• Support the development of framework partnership agreements.
• Contribute to project and programme design, formulation and negotiation.
• Prepare concept notes and project document briefs.
• Coordinate technical and financial requirements for proposals.
• Draft agreements and contractual documents.
• Explain UNOPS pricing policies to partners.
• Support diversification of the office’s portfolio.

3. Representation & Inter-Agency Partnerships

• Establish partnerships with UN agencies, international organizations, governments, foundations, NGOs and private-sector organizations.
• Support advocacy, public information and communications activities.
• Participate in donor, government and inter-agency coordination meetings.
• Contribute to UN planning and programming processes.
• Provide strategic direction to communications personnel.
• Develop and maintain a network of key partners.
• Monitor social, economic and political trends affecting partnerships.

4. Knowledge Management & Innovation

• Implement UNOPS partnership and project development tools, standards and templates.
• Promote best practices and innovative approaches.
• Help strengthen partnership capacity and negotiation skills among project managers.
• Share lessons learned and best practices.
• Provide feedback on partnership development systems and resources.

Key Skills

• Business Planning
• Partnerships
• Proposal Writing
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Stakeholder Management

Competencies

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Strategic and sustainable business planning.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management.
• Respect for diversity, inclusion and organizational ethics.
• Leadership and teamwork.
• Beneficiary-focused decision-making.
• Initiative and results orientation.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Analytical and pragmatic decision-making.
• Innovation and problem-solving.
• Clear and effective communication.

Education Requirements

Required:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as:
  • Business Administration
  • Public Administration
  • International Development
  • Engineering
  • Political Science
  • Communications
  • International Relations

Alternative: A Bachelor’s degree combined with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the stated education requirement.

Experience Requirements

Required:

At least 5 years of experience in international development, including demonstrated experience in:

• Developing and implementing partnership, communications and programme development plans.
• Project development and proposal writing.
• Identifying, developing and/or negotiating partnership opportunities with IFIs/MDBs.
• Translating government and financing institution priorities into implementable projects and programmes.
• Establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international development organizations, governments, foundations, NGOs or private-sector organizations.
• Working in international organizations, international development, post-disaster and/or emergency contexts.

Desirable:

• Project and programme management experience.
• Experience providing strategic oversight of communications, advocacy or visibility activities.

Language Requirement

• English – Fluent (Required)

Important Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited CVs/resumes.
• UNOPS will never request payment at any stage of recruitment.
• Applications must be submitted before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on 15 September 2026.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• UNOPS is committed to diversity, equal employment opportunity and an inclusive workplace.
• Background checks are conducted for final candidates.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official UNOPS careers portal before the deadline.

Application Deadline: 15 September 2026

CLICK HERE TO APPLY