Partnership Development Specialist [Open to internal and external applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China Country Office is part of UNDP—the United Nations' global development network. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to end poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, as well as protect the planet, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, these efforts aim to ensure that improvements in human wellbeing remain within ecological boundaries. We also help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities and institutional capabilities, as well as build resilience, in order to achieve the SDGs.

UNDP China has been working in China over the past 46 years, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development outlined in the Government of China’s Five-Year Plans. UNDP assists China in integrating the SDGs into development decisions, promotes the transition to an inclusive, low-carbon economy and a sustainable society, protects biodiversity, and informs China’s international development cooperation engagement to advance global progress on the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement. In addition, UNDP leverages its global network and South-South Cooperation (SSC) to facilitate mutual knowledge and experience sharing between China and partner countries on best practices and lessons learned to advance the SDGs.

UNDP China’s implementation modalities currently engage more than 15 Ministries and government representatives at the national and sub-national levels in 28 provinces. UNDP China also actively engages the UN system, multilateral and regional institutions, the private sector, philanthropic foundations, academia and think tanks, inter-governmental bodies, as well as the media in accelerating the SDGs in China.

The work programme implemented by UNDP in China is funded primarily by the global vertical funds, local provincial and municipal governments, private sector, philanthropic foundations and academia. To further accelerate the scale of resource mobilization efforts to support the acceleration of the SDGs at the sub-national levels in China as outlined in the UNDP Country Programme Document 2026-2030, UNDP China is now seeking an experienced Partnership Development Specialist to further develop strategic partnerships and deepen domestic resource mobilization efforts with local governments, private sector and philanthropic foundations.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, the Partnership Development Specialist (PDS) provides facilitation and support in developing strategic partnerships and mobilizing resources from local governments, private sector and philanthropic foundations to advance the SDGs in China at the sub-national levels. The Partnership Development Specialist works closely with Programme, Operations, and other teams to ensure effective programme implementation.

The Partnership Development Specialist will be one of the members of the UNDP China Management Team and provide regular updates on development opportunities, trends and innovative new development models to accelerate the SDGs in China.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Formulate CO analysis and strategies related to resource mobilization and partnerships building

• Conduct external and internal analysis for assessing CO opportunities for domestic resource mobilization.
• Scanning of the opportunities based on partner-specific intelligence; identification where the CO competency strengths overlap with partner/client needs.
• Analysis of key development and sectoral policies currently being discussed and implemented in the country and opportunities for resource mobilization.
• Assessment of the level of CO engagement with each partner and particular areas of interest; development of strategy to position the CO to become a priority partner for the donor.

Undertake strategic engagements to establish strategic partnerships and resource mobilization from local governments, private sector and philanthropic foundations to accelerate SDG progress

• Develop and implement a detailed medium-term partnership and domestic resource mobilization strategy to advance the SDGs in China.
• Develop and implement a dedicated annual partnership engagement and resource mobilization action plan for engagement with local governments, private sector and philanthropic foundations.
• Support the advocacy of UNDP’s development service offers to support SDG localization in China.
• Undertake negotiation, drafting and revision of UNDP financing agreements with funding donors in close collaboration and coordination with UNDP’s Implementing Partners.

Lead development of pipeline projects that includes inputs to the programme technical team in developing funding proposals, concept notes and project documents.

• Work closely with programme teams to develop funding proposals, concept notes and project documents and support realization of UNDP China’s Country Programme Document.
• Ensure the application of the UNDP’s Delivery Enabling Services approach in projects are undertaken in adherence to UNDP financial rules and regulation and strategically enables UNDP’s value-added contributions to advance sustainable development in China.
• Ensure the partnership engagement is fully aligned with UNDP’s corporate templates and applicable due diligence processes.
• Monitoring of overall implementation of financing agreements.

Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing as required by the organization, focusing on the following results:

• Identification and formulation of lessons learned and recommendations to be integrated into broader CO knowledge management efforts.
• Contribution to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Organization and conduct training on resource mobilization and partnerships building in the Country Office.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• 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

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Direction & Strategy

• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Partnership Management

• Strategic Engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives

Business Development

• Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

Business Management

• Client Satisfaction/Management: : Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• Results-Based Management: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Project Management : Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization as programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services, and hands-on experience in designing, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects in relevant thematic areas.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in actively engaging with the ministries, local government or private sector in designing and implementing development initiatives to accelerate sustainable development in China is desired.
• Prior working experience in the Government Ministries of China, overseeing development cooperation, is an advantage.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and familiar with web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
• Experience in resource mobilization is an asset.
• Experience in developing pipeline projects is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in the national language of the duty station (Mandarin) is required.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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