Partnerships Development Advisor

The Partnerships Development Advisor provides senior-level advisory support to strengthen strategic positioning, programme pipeline and institutional engagement of SEEMCO across its countries of operation. The role focuses on identifying and advancing growth opportunities through technical support and institutional engagement, contributing to the expansion and diversification of the portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice to SEEMCO senior management on programme positioning, portfolio development and engagement with government institutions, international organisations, development partners and financing institutions.
• Support the identification and advancement of opportunities that contribute to the expansion and diversification of the SEEMCO portfolio across its thematic and geographic areas of operation, with a particular focus on International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and governments.
• Analyse political, economic, institutional and development trends to identify emerging priorities, potential partnerships and opportunities for future programming.
• Advise on strategic approaches for positioning UNOPS services and implementation modalities in response to evolving partner priorities and development financing opportunities.
• Contribute to the conceptualization, design and formulation of programmes and projects by providing strategic and technical inputs throughout the opportunity development process.
• Facilitate institutional dialogue and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, including IFIs, governments, European Union institutions, United Nations entities, bilateral partners and other relevant organisations.
• Provide expert guidance on aligning programme concepts and implementation approaches with partner priorities, funding frameworks and applicable strategic objectives.
• Support the preparation and advancement of strategic engagement plans, partnership approaches and cooperation opportunities that strengthen SEEMCO's competitive positioning.
• Advise on opportunities to leverage UNOPS expertise in project management, infrastructure, procurement, financial and human resources management in support of partner objectives.
• Contribute to negotiations, consultations and strategic discussions related to prospective engagements and support the development of appropriate cooperation frameworks and institutional arrangements.
• Perform other related duties within the scope of the assignment as requested by the Supervisor.
• Preparation, review and quality assurance of strategic documents, programme concepts, project proposals, expressions of interest, partnership briefs, presentations, analytical reports and other materials supporting programme development and institutional engagement.
• Provision of strategic advice throughout programme identification, opportunity assessment and initiative development processes.
• Development of analyses and recommendations supporting management decision-making related to portfolio growth, partner engagement and programme prioritization.
• Representation of SEEMCO, as delegated, during consultations, technical meetings, conferences, negotiations and engagement with development partners and stakeholders.
• Delivery of knowledge-sharing activities, advisory sessions and capacity strengthening support for SEEMCO personnel to enhance programme development, strategic engagement and resource mobilisation capacities.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Public Affairs, International Relations, Law, Social Science, Communications, Politics or other relevant fields with 7 years of relevant experience.
• OR First level university degree with 9 years of relevant working experience.
• OR Secondary school diploma with 13 years of relevant working experience.
• Relevant work experience in partnership development and resource mobilisation.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in leadership or key expert positions.
• Fluent English language proficiency is required.
• Fluent Serbian language proficiency is desirable.
• Fluent Montenegrin language proficiency is desirable.
• Fluent Bosnian language proficiency is desirable.
• Fluent Croatian language proficiency is desirable.
• Fluent Macedonian language proficiency is desirable.

Skills

• Partnership Development
• Resource Mobilization
• Strategic Positioning
• Programme Pipeline Development
• Institutional Engagement
• Senior-level Advisory Support
• Leadership Experience
• Technical Support
• Portfolio Expansion
• Growth Opportunity Identification

Languages

English, Serbian, Montenegrin, Bosnian, Croatian, Macedonian