Hardship LevelB
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeNOD
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2025-01-20
Deadline for ApplicationsFebruary 3, 2025
Standard Job Description
Senior Partnership Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
UNHCR's mandated responsibility for finding solutions to refugee situations has long required stronger cooperation with a variety of partners and the inclusion of persons of concern within national strategies and the SDGs. Notwithstanding the Office's efforts over many decades, the proportion of refugees and internally displaced persons in protracted displacement situations and/or without opportunities for integration remains high. Moreover, the diminishing number of people who have found durable solutions constitutes a worrying trend that has persisted in recent years. The increasing scale of mixed and large scale refugee movements, and its impact on economic growth vs. national cohesion have placed forced displacement high on the global agenda. These elements generated the realization that even in countries with well-developed and moderately-developed economies, humanitarian assistance alone is not sufficient to make a difference in the life of people of concern leading towards sustainable solutions and full integration in the society. UNHCR must engage in developing a wide coalition of governmental, non-governmental, faith based and other non-traditional partnerships to enable a comprehensive search for solutions to refugees' and other displacement situations, including in the protracted context, which would also mobilize national communities in host countries for this purpose.
The Global Compact for Refugees frames a new approach towards a more predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing, recognizing that a sustainable solution to refugee and other displaced situations cannot be achieved without international cooperation in support of comprehensive refugee response framework that would ensure a whole of society approach.
Within the context outlined above, the role of the Senior Partnership Officer is to facilitate UNHCR's engagement and cooperation with multiple stakeholders currently implementing or who have the potential to advocate for and/or implement medium term programmes assisting local communities and UNHCR's population of concern and have the ability to positively influence the social and political environment.
It is anticipated that these programmes will grow in significance in future years due to the greater importance attached to addressing protracted displacement situations, including the expectations under the Agenda 2030. The role the Senior Partnership Officer will be pivotal to a) identifying opportunities for developing multiple stakeholder partnerships with International, Regional and State entities, municipalities, civil society, NGOs, development institutions, academia, the private sector, etc.; b) promoting UNHCR objectives and strategies with partners; c) ensuring that populations of concern are integrated within national policies and SDGs and that national actors are supported to do so; and, in doing so d) ensuring complementarity between UNHCR's work and the objectives pursued by a variety of stakeholders.
For that reason, the Senior Partnership Officer will work under the overall supervision of the senior management to ensure that the UNHCR strategies are implemented through innovative partnerships, identifying the most effective partners, proactively engaging with and ensuring the involvement of partners in the strategy and supporting the field in all these aspects.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Conduct research, analysis and advise accordingly the operation(s) on identifying partners that are able to engage with long-term political, economic and social planning that will define the opportunities for inclusion of populations of concern to UNHCR as well as more sustainable and whole-of-society approaches to refugee and stateless protection and solutions management.
- Support building relationship in partnerships with International, Regional and State entities, regions and municipalities, NGOs, faith-based organizations, academia, workers' and entrepreneurs' organizations, development actors, private sector, etc.
- Map and develop partnerships and networks with a variety of partners to influence the policy dialogue with governments on institutional arrangements related to sectors, locations and programme content of consequence to UNHCR and persons of concern.
- Work with a variety of interlocutors to incorporate populations of concern to UNHCR into the design, implementation, monitoring and communication arrangements of projects and interventions to achieve positive impact on their situation.
- Ensure coherence, where relevant, across operations in how they engage in terms of multiple stakeholder partnerships (e.g. messaging, policies, etc.).
- Process and analyse knowledge and data from country operations to support planning, policy and advocacy at the regional and HQ level.
- Ensure that partners are provided relevant knowledge and data to influence their planning, programming and advocacy around resilience for and inclusion of UNHCR persons of concern.
- Facilitate coordination, collaboration and the sharing of knowledge, best practices and lessons learned, internally in UNHCR both within HQs and across UNHCR operations globally- and with a variety of partners.
- Support training activities for the staff of UNHCR and a variety of partners aimed at achieving greater coordination, effectiveness and synergies in terms of multiple stakeholder partnerships.
- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Public Policy;
Public Administration;
Law;
International Relations;
Political Science;
Development
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
At least six (6) years of partnership management experience in international context, of which preferably at least two (2) years in field operations. Experience in managing a variety of internal and external relationships in a cross-cultural professional environment.
Desirable
Experience in coordination of UN interventions with other actors, in a refugee, humanitarian or development context. Solid experience in lobbying and advocacy with Government and other institutions. Experience in drafting and editing, in particular on protection and solutions strategies, advocacy strategies, or partnership building. Experience in primary data collection, quantitative research methods and results-based management.
Functional Skills
CL-Strategy Development and Monitoring
*SO-Critical Thinking and problem solving
*SO-Networking
*UN-Policy Advocacy in UNHCR
PG-Results-Based Management
*CO-Strategic Communication
*CO-Drafting and Documentation
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile The candidate must have experience working with multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, and development programs, i.e., UNDP, in designing and leading programs.
Highly desired experience in engagement at a high level with multiple stakeholders, including the government at the national and county levels, and understanding of development challenges of refugee-hosting areas, experience working on socioeconomic inclusion of forcibly displaced and stateless populations and experience and familiarity with the UNSDCF, UNJPS, and GCR, including coordination, stakeholder consultation and reporting mechanisms.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
The Government of Kenya, in line with the Global Compact for Refugees (GCR) and its Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), in collaboration with its partners, has taken concrete steps to improve conditions supporting the socioeconomic inclusion of refugees and host communities. These include enacting the Refugees Act of 2021 and Refugee Regulations, operationalizing the Garissa Integrated Development Program (GISEDP) and Kalobeyei Integrated Development Program (KISEDP), and the proposed Shirika Plan. GISDEP and KISEDP-II (2023-2027) are in line with County Integrated Development Programs (CIDPs) and Kenya’s MTP-IV (2023-2027).
UNHCR’s Kenya operation’s profile is a transition towards inclusion and solutions, and it is the tier one country in the implementation of sustainable responses, as it supports the Government of Kenya in developing and operationalizing the Shirika Plan – a long-term strategic plan for transforming the refugee camps into integrated municipalities for refugees and host communities. The proposed Shirika Plan requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-development actors’ approach aims to enable transitioning from subsistence programming towards resilience and inclusion and successful implementation of the plan requires ensuring the allocation of sufficient resources and focused programmes, which consider the solutions for addressing the challenges of sustainable socioeconomic inclusion of refugees and host communities. Also, through Kalobeyei Integrated Socioeconomic Development Program, Phase-II (KISDEP-II), and Garissa Integrated Socioeconomic Development Program (GISDEP), UNHCR Kenya leads the inclusion agenda in close coordination with the County Governments as well as all development actors, operating in the refugee-hosting municipalities.
This requires competencies to establish development partnerships with UN agencies, development partners, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, and the private sector to facilitate investments to complement the six high-impact actions of the proposed Shirika Plan, KISDEP-II and GISDEP. These include 1) Systems Building to create an enabling policy environment and capacitate institutions at national and refugee-hosting sub-counties level, 2) integrated services including education, health, WASH, infrastructure and shelter, social protection, 3) human capital and skills development including technical and vocational training, digital skills etc., 4) climate action and natural resource management, 5) economic development including entrepreneurship, financial and digital inclusion, and MSME development, 6) durable solutions and complementary pathways.
The objectives of UNHCR Kenya’s multiyear strategy (MYS 2024-2026) and its sustainable response priorities support systems building towards right based and equitable services delivery led by the government of Kenya. These objectives complement the high-impact actions of the proposed Shirika Plan, GISDEP and KISDEP, so core competencies which are critical to bridging the transition from a humanitarian towards a government-led development approach are essential for the Kenya operation.
The next four years of the transition from humanitarian towards government-led development approach of refugee management need a concerted effort to work very closely with various ministries, departments and agencies of the Government of Kenya at the National and County levels, multiple development actors, including lateral and multilateral donors, the UN agencies, World Bank, IFC, AfDB, IsDB, World Economic Forum, private sector, diaspora, microfinance sector, tech and startup space in the country, and individual philanthropic sector.
The incumbent of the Senior Partnership Officer position in UNHCR Country Office Kenya, while reporting to the Strategic Partnership Advisor, is required to lead in supporting the operations in strengthening the existing and building new partnerships with the multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, UN agencies, private sector, academia, financial service providers, diaspora and foundations to facilitate the transition in refugee management approach in Kenya, to advance the agenda of sustainable socioeconomic inclusion of refugees, stateless persons, and host communities.
The incumbent will also be responsible for leading the support to the operation in the development of UN Joint Programme on the Shirika Plan, building partnerships on existing joint programs and the Nexus approach, in line with the UNSDCF and its strategic pillars.
The responsibilities of the Senior Partnership Officer involve facilitating coordination and collaboration with a stronger emphasis on strategic planning, technical leadership in area-based programming and development programs, partnership building and knowledge management. The nature of the position focuses on advising and supporting operations in interpreting long-term trends, planning for resilience and sustainable socioeconomic inclusion, developing multi-year strategies, and building relationships with development partners to enhance refugee protection and solutions. The emphasis is on technical leadership, partnership development, ensuring data informs planning and advocacy, conducting research and analysis to identify partners, building diverse partnerships, ensuring coherence across operations, and processing knowledge and data to support the country operation in planning and advocacy.
The Senior Partnership Officer will support the operation in developing new and scaling up existing partnerships with the MDBs and IFIs, including the World Bank, IFC, AFDB, and ISDB. In this context, the role of SPO is essential to work closely with the WB, line ministries and development partners to ensure the program’s design which complements the Shirika Plan as well as the MYS of the operation, which focuses on sustainable socioeconomic inclusion of forcibly displaced population and stateless persons within the government services.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCL-Strategy Development and Monitoring, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Strategic Communication, PG-Results-Based Management, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework, SO-Critical Thinking and problem solving, SO-Networking, UN-Policy Advocacy in UNHCR
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Development Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Policy
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position requires Functional Clearance