Background
Sudan is experiencing one of the world’s most complex and protracted crises, with over 10 million displaced and more than 25 million in urgent need of assistance. In response to the deteriorating security environment, UNDP Sudan has relocated the majority of its operational and programme teams to Port Sudan, where the Country Office continues to lead recovery, resilience, and peacebuilding interventions.
At the same time, most development partners, including bilateral donors and International Financial Institutions (IFIs), no longer maintain an in-country presence and now manage their Sudan portfolios from regional hubs—notably Nairobi, Addis Ababa, and Cairo. To sustain strategic engagement with these actors, UNDP Sudan has established a small partnership outpost in Nairobi, embedded within the Resilience Hub for Africa.
This Nairobi-based unit provides critical support to the Sudan Country Office in positioning UNDP as a partner of choice, coordinating outreach to donors and IFIs, reviewing and editing proposals and reports, and managing partner intelligence. The Partnerships Specialist (IPSA-11) will lead this effort and serve as the principal external engagement focal point for UNDP Sudan outside of Sudan.
Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Positioning and Advocacy
Proposal Review and Quality Assurance
Donor Engagement and Intelligence
Coordination with UNDP Regional Structures
Strategic Oversight of Alternative Resource Mobilization
Internal Coordination and Knowledge Sharing
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Partnerships Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Resident Representative and in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations Teams.
Competencies Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction and Strategy Strategic Thinking Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight. Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals Communication Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. .Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels Business Management Partnership Management Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies Partnership Management Emerging Partnerships Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships IFI Partnerships Knowledge and understanding of IFIs (strategies, approaches, processes and systems) Resource Mobilization Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Education requirements
Min. years of relevant work experience
Required skills
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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