Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women’s regional representation for East and Southern Africa (ESA) is comprised of 12 Country Offices (COs), one programme presence (Somalia), and support to 11 UN Country Teams (UNCTs) where UN Women is a non-physical presence agency (NRA). All are coordinated and supported by the Regional Office (RO) in Kenya. ESA is a complex and diverse region comprised of sub-regions ranging from countries with weak governance prone to crises that cross borders, while other sub-regions represent middle-income countries that are relatively stable for the moment. The region includes the poorest countries on the continent (Burundi and Somalia), but also five of the wealthiest (Seychelles, Mauritius, Botswana, South Africa and Eswatini). ESA region is home to over 700 million people, population growth continues at a high rate and nearly half of the population across the region is under the age of 18 years. The region hosts 67 percent of the continent’s refugees and has approximately 10 million IDPs reflecting a significant number of people on the move
With the current global geo-political and financial situation placing severe stress on global ODA levels, particularly for the region covered by ESA, it is imperative to reinforce the capacities of the UN Women Country Offices in the region to identify and respond to opportunities to mobilize resources from traditional and non-tradition donor sources and to maintain healthy relations with existing donor partners. For this reason, ESARO is looking to hire senior partnership development and external relations expertise (PDER) to support the region in this endeavor.
The objective of this role is to lead the organization’s efforts in partnership development, relationship management, and positioning Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Regional Director, and in regular collaboration and coordination with the ESAR Deputy Regional Director and the ESARO Regional Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Specialist, the consultant will provide direct support to ESARO and to the requesting Country Offices (COs) in undertaking the following tasks described below: 

Lead external engagement with partners, donors, and stakeholders to position the organization’s work and value proposition.

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships and networks.
• Draft and coordinate the development of concept notes and partnership proposals including follow up with donors.
• Support donor intelligence, pipeline development, and relationship tracking.

The consultant will be reporting to the Resource Mobilization Specialist, who will be the point of contact on the contract

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

1.    External Engagement and Representation

• Serve as the organization’s focal point in meetings, forums, and strategic dialogues with external partners.
• Proactively represent the organization in donor and partner events, conferences, and working groups.
• Present organizational priorities and impact to diverse stakeholders in a compelling and strategic manner.

2.    Strategic Partnership Development

• Identify and cultivate relationships with traditional and non-traditional partners, including donors; foundations, multilateral institutions, and the private sector;
• Lead efforts to build multi-stakeholder partnerships aligned with UN Women’s goals;
• Contribute to ESAR partnership databases and relationship maps.

3.    Concept Note and Proposal Development

• Support CO and RO programme teams in drafting, coordinating  and finalization of concept notes, proposals, donor presentations and follow up;
• Ensure concept notes align with donor interests, organizational priorities, and technical soundness;
• Maintain a pipeline of partnership opportunities and facilitate regular reviews.

4.    Resource Mobilization and Donor Intelligence

• Conduct donor mapping and analysis to identify emerging trends and funding opportunities;
• Prepare donor intelligence briefs and partnership engagement strategies;
• Track donor interests, funding cycles, and partnership engagement history

Deliverables

• Monthly reports on partnership engagements and outcomes;
• Regular updates of partner mapping and engagement tracker;
• Stakeholder engagement and positioning strategy.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel
This is a home-based consultancy with possibility of travel within the ESA region

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Proven track record in identifying, negotiating and funding support from various donor segments;
• Demonstrated strategic mindset in identifying opportunities, crafting strategies, and prioritizing action as well as getting significant financial results;
• Ability to provide leadership in engaging with funding partners, aid agencies and other contributors;
• Solid expertise in aid policy and demonstrated knowledge of development donors’ expectations and practice;
• Proven leadership abilities to engage partners internally and manage change, and to engage external partners;
• Excellent oral and written communications skills; a clear and persuasive communicator

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in international relations, economics, business, or related social sciences;
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in fundraising, business development, strategic partnerships, or resource mobilization with international organizations;
• Extensive experience in managing international aid programmes;
• Experience in gender equality and women's empowerment; 
• Experience working with civil society organizations, international institutions and donors; 
• UN System experience an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English or French or Spanish is required;
• Knowledge of any other UN official is an asset.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.