UNOPS Job Vacancies September 2026 include an opportunity for a Partnerships Specialist based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The position is advertised as an internal-candidates-only vacancy and focuses on partnership development, programme development, resource mobilization, project opportunities and engagement with governments, UN agencies, donors and other development partners.
Position Title: Partnerships Specialist (Internal Candidates Only)
Vacancy Type: Internal candidates only
Job Category: Partnerships
Duty Station(s): Dar-es-Salaam
Role Purpose
The Partnerships Specialist develops and implements partnership and programme development plans for the East African Countries.
The role focuses on building and maintaining effective working relationships with governments, UN agencies, donors and other stakeholders to mobilize resources, expand the office’s portfolio, and strengthen the UNOPS positioning as a reliable development and implementation partner.
The Partnerships Specialist also ensures that partnership initiatives are aligned with UNOPS’ global and regional priorities, contribute to sustainable results, and support the achievement of the office’s strategic objectives
Functions / Key Results Expected
1. Partnership and programme development planning
Develop a comprehensive partnership development and communications plan in line with UNOPS Strategic Plan and Regional Strategies. This includes country context, analysis of the regional and national development and humanitarian landscape, identification of main partners, strategic positioning of UNOPS in the potential operational niches identified, as well as growth pipeline opportunities for Tanzania. Ensure the plan reflects in-house capacity, typology of projects and the internal tools and knowledge resources.
Ensure communications and visibility are strategically integrated into partnership development and positioning, including identifying opportunities to strengthen UNOPS visibility, demonstrate results and support engagement with priority partners.
Examine risks and opportunities presented by the strategic positioning of the Country office and propose appropriate responses to ensure sustainable growth.
Coordinate and collaborate with relevant Partnerships personnel at local, liaison and HQ level, as well as Project Managers and project personnel of the country offices covered by the office, to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners.
2. Develop opportunities
Monitor and evaluate humanitarian and development trends and needs to identify areas of collaboration within the UNOPS mandate and existing capacity.
Research events, publications and announcements, to track and screen opportunities for possible UNOPS interventions and identify trends that will drive partnership opportunities.
Provide advice and feedback to UNOPS HQ and Regional Office on the development of framework partnership agreements that can increase opportunities at the regional level.
Contribute to the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects and programs and draft concept notes and project document briefs for discussion with partners.
Create and maintain engagement opportunities and engagement functionalities in alignment with UNOPS corporate guidelines and relevant platforms.
Coordinate technical and financial requirements, and negotiate proposals to close new project opportunities.
Drafts agreements and/or contractual documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.
Understand and clearly explain UNOPS pricing policy to partners.
Contribute to the diversification of the Multi Country / Country Office in line with UNOPS strategic and Regional objectives, with a focus on other Portuguese speaking countries in Africa.
In coordination with the Communications and Reporting personnel, when available, gather content for communications and outreach materials for any countries managed within the scope of the UNOPS office or by the Partnerships Group.
3. Representation and inter-agency partnership
Establish and further develop partnerships with UN agencies, international organisations, governments, foundations, international NGOs and private sector organisations to diversify project opportunities within the Multi Country / Country Office.
Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Communications Officer, when required.
On behalf of the Country Manager, participate in and report on the relevant inter-agency, donor and government coordination meetings including addressing project development issues in consultation with UNOPS project managers and technical experts when required. Take part in UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNSDCF, response plans, etc.
Provide strategic direction to communications personnel, ensuring communications activities, external messaging and visibility efforts are aligned with country priorities, partnership objectives and UNOPS positioning.
Build a network of key partners, keeping abreast of evolving trends (social, economic, and political), including the application of innovation to project and partnership development.
4. Knowledge management and innovation
Implement standards, tools and templates provided by HQ to effectively manage partnership and project development within the team to enhance/maintain UNOPS effectiveness as a provider of project services for sustainable results.
Contribute to the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximise performance and sustain achievements in project and partnership development.
Help build partnerships capacity and negotiation skills among project managers
Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building within project and partnership development.
Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure its relevance to day-to-day operations.
Education Requirements
Required
- A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, 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 an International Development including demonstrated experience in:
Developing and executing partnership, communications and programme development plans;
Project development and proposal writing;
Experience identifying, developing and/or negotiating partnership opportunities with IFIs/MDBs, including translating government and financing institution priorities into implementable projects and programmes.
Establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international development organizations, governments, foundations, international NGOs or private sector organizations.
Prior experience working in international organisations, international development, post-disaster and/or emergency contexts is required.
Desired
Project and programme management experience is an asset
Experience providing strategic oversight or direction to communications, advocacy or visibility activities in support of organizational or partnership objectives is an asset.
