Org. Setting and Reporting
The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDG's. In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat. DCO exercises managerial and oversight functions of the resident coordinatorsystemunderthe oversight of the Chair of United NationsSustainable Development Group (UNSDG).In 2026,DCOundertooka recalibrationto ensure the RCsystemremainsoptimally configured to supportthe acceleration of the2030 Agenda and embodiestheUN2.0shift- anchoredin data, digital, innovation,behavioral science,strategic foresight, and amissiondriven organizational culture. Noting that strategic partnership entails non-monetary partnership and can be used to strengthen joint initiatives/advocacy with external partners towards a common goal, including that of advancing SDGs, the Partnerships Officer provides advice and support to the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT strategic partnerships for SDG achievement. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in San Jose, Costa Rica, under the supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Partnerships Officer will be responsible of the following duties: 1. ASSISTS WITH THE PROVISION OF SUBSTANTIVE SUPPORT FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR AND COORDINATION OF UNCT STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH CIVIL SOCIETY, THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND OTHERS SDG ACHIEVEMENT. • Provides advice on the development and implementation of the UN Partnership Strategy in alignment with and support of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. • Supports a UNCT working group and agencies, funds and programmes for the effective implementation, monitoring and assessment of the strategy at regular intervals to harness new emerging opportunities, to anticipate changes to the internal direction and external environment, and to make mid-term adjustments; • Provides substantive capacity to develop a national partnership strategy with all the relevant stakeholders in the context of the Cooperation Framework implementation and design. • Conducts liaison and coordination with UN entities at country, regional and HQ levels, to help package and define a value proposition for local UN partnership that can engage a wide range of stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society and other non-traditional partners; • Serves as one of the key entry points for external stakeholders seeking guidance and support in navigating opportunities to partner with the UNCT. • Builds strong interface with critical Development partners, Government, private sector, civil society and other non-traditional partners. • Provides substantive support to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and the UNCT in identifying risks and opportunities related to specific partnerships and suggests mitigation measures as relevant. • Provides inputs on due diligence processes of potential investment and partnership opportunities, in accordance with UN regulations and procedures. • Provides substantive support to RC/UNCT to develop and implement locally tailored partnerships. • Serves as liaison to Private Sector Networks, assisting the Resident Coordinator in advising the Local Network Boards and strengthening local UN engagement with the private sector, working with UN Global Compact regional hubs to promote the UN Global Compact Ten Principles and business support for the SDGs. 2. SUPPORTS JOINT UNCT STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FOR SDG ACHIEVEMENT AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION FOR THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION FRAMEWORK, INCLUDING SUPPORTING POOLED FUNDS, AND SUPPORTS RESOURCE MOBILIZATION EFFORTS WITH THE UNCT MEMBERS. • Provides substantive support to RC/UNCT to develop and implement locally tailored resource mobilization strategies and initiatives for Cooperation Framework priorities and identify appropriate data and benchmarks to measure progress and success. • Monitors and analyzes existing resource mobilization partnerships and relationships, including traditional and non-traditional partners and development partners, donors (including private sector, government co-financing, IFI's and other innovative funds) to be explored for direct funding to the UN. • Supports the UNCT with analysis of funding streams from internal and external sources, enabling their timely and coordinated engagement around preparation of proposals. • Supports the UNCT in preparation of the Funding Framework of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. • Provides support to the design joint programmes for use in joint resource mobilization and coordination during the implementation of joint programmes as needed. • Advises RC/UNCT and external partners on offers from specialized UN entities for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and ensuring the development of a youth, disability inclusion, gender, indigenous, afro-descendants and thematic issues partnerships strategies to support the UN priorities. • Advises the RC/UNCT on corporate policies relating to effective management of resources, including through the establishment and use of pooled funds. • Assists in the establishment and management of the country-based MPTF Funds, in close collaboration with UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office. 3. WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE RESIDENT COORDINATOR OFFICE ECONOMIST AND OTHER UN COUNTRY TEAM FINANCE EXPERTS TO PROMOTE PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT FINANCING FOR ACCELERATING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS). • Provides advice on partnership opportunities to drive financing for development options, instruments, modalities to the RC/UNCT, in alignment with the UN Country Analysis (UNCA), Cooperation Framework, Integrated National Financing Framework and similar processes. • Prepares briefing papers and discussion points on partnership issues related to financing for development for consideration by RC/UNCT. • Contributes to advocacy, communications and dialogues with partners and platforms to improve development assistance policies and practices. • Working in close collaboration with the RCO Economist, ensures effective engagement of relevant counterparts, especially private sector, civil society, government (national and local) and development partners, to develop engagement and partnerships around SDG financing and UN funding. • Undertakes the design and execution of innovative proposals to strengthen the UNCT engagement and reputational risk analysis, to generate greater financial resources in support of the SDGs and UN funding. 4. SUPPORTS KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT RELATING TO PARTNERSHIPS AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND MANAGEMENT AT THE COUNTRY LEVEL. • Promotes collaboration, peer support, innovation, good practices, lessons learned, needs, and opportunities through active participation to the local, regional and global communities of practice and knowledge networks within the Resident Coordinator System and across the UN. • Researches, analyzes and presents best practices and lessons learned from implementation of UN partnership initiatives, with a view to advising the RC and UNCT on actions to strengthen the partnership orientation of the UN. • Supports the UNCT with a knowledge repository of potential donors at national and sub-national levels. • Monitors and analyzes best practices, successful models of SDG partnerships and resource mobilization, and public policy outcomes supported by the UN in country and elsewhere. • Provides advice on global/corporate guidelines, tools and other materials related to partnerships, resource mobilization and donor engagement. • Keeps abreast of emerging innovative approaches in the area of partnerships, resource mobilization and donor engagement, and proposes new ways of working, where relevant. • Reflects on processes of his/ her work area at key milestones and generates knowledge valuable to others in the RC system/ UN Country Teams. • Works closely with the Data Analyst and Communications officers on data, M&E, reporting, analytics, management response on evaluation recommendations, and communications. 5. OTHERS • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Ensures that requirements, background information used for data analysis are documented. • Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, education or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.
Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience and track record in strategic support to partnerships, project/programme management, resource mobilization in the context of development cooperation or related area is required. Experience of developing strategic partnerships across government, private sector and civil society organizations is required. Experience of inclusion strategies that promote Gender equality, youth participation and inclusion of persons with disability is desirable. Experience in designing and implementing partnerships is required. Experience of resources mobilization strategies is required. Experience in UN interagency coordination is desirable. Work experience of two (2) years or more in data analytics or a related area is desirable. International experience, particularly in High Income Countries, is desirable. Experience in preparing project /programme proposals is required. Experience in supporting financing of SDGs and innovative finance is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, fluency in English and Spanish is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIISpanishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone/teleconference or face-to-face.
Special Notice
This is a fixed-term position. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one (1) year, and any extension will be subject to the availability of funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the mandate. Additionally, this recruitment process remains subject to budgetary, classification, and intergovernmental approvals. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF COSTA RICA ONLY. The National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of t
