Strategic Partnerships and Innovative Financing Advisor
Overview
The Strategic Partnerships and Innovative Financing Advisor will lead the transformation of UNFPA's Partnerships and Resource Mobilization function into an integrated platform to maximize influence, mobilize diverse resources, and advance UNFPA's mandate at regional and country levels.
Key Responsibilities
- Reposition and reprofile the regional partnerships function to ensure full integration of financing, advocacy, and visibility objectives.
- Conduct risk assessments for potential partnerships and identify mitigation measures.
- Ensure coherent messaging and coordinated engagement across all external interactions.
- Strengthen UNFPA’s influence in regional intergovernmental bodies, networks, and forums.
- Expand UNFPA’s engagement with governments, parliaments, international financial institutions, private sector actors, and civil society.
- Develop a coalition of partners/donors in support of sectoral responses.
- Provide high-level advice to the Regional SMT on partnership trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Act as regional liaison with Headquarters divisions.
- Coordinate regional contributions to global partnership and financing dialogues.
- Provide technical guidance and on-demand support to CO focal points.
- Build capacity of CO staff through training, mentoring, regional workshops, and communities of practice.
- Lead the design and execution of regional strategies for donor diversification.
- Identify and pursue innovative financing opportunities.
- Forge partnerships with regional development banks, sovereign wealth funds, and other financial actors.
- Support Country Offices in structuring and scaling innovative financing initiatives.
- Enhance the region’s ability to mobilize resources, build multi-stakeholder coalitions, and amplify programmatic impact.
- Provide technical support and capacity-building to Country Offices on resource mobilization, donor engagement, and strategic advocacy.
- Oversee donor reporting and communications.
- Track financing trends and advise senior leadership on emerging opportunities.
- Capture, package, and disseminate lessons learned and best practices.
- Develop guidance, tools, and training materials for Country Offices.
- Mentor and strengthen the capacity of partnerships and communications staff.
- Deploy digital platforms and solutions, and data-driven tools to expand financing opportunities.
- Identify innovative financing mechanisms relevant to demographic dividend, SRHR, and gender equality.
- Promote innovative, tech-enabled approaches to coalition-building and advocacy.
Required Experience
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in partnerships, resource mobilization, or financing in international development. Intimate knowledge of and experience in working with Islamic financing. Proven experience in working systematically with the private sector and philanthropic organizations in the region. Experience in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries is considered an asset. Demonstrated expertise in innovative financing and donor diversification. Track record in high-level external engagement and political advocacy. Experience leveraging digital technologies and tools for partnerships or financing desirable. UN system or multilateral experience an asset.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree in economics, finance, business administration, international relations, public policy, or another relevant field.