PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER, Damascus, Syria

## PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER, Damascus, Syria - Organization:RCS - Resident Coordinator System - Office:RCS in Damascus, Syria Organizational 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 coordinator system under the oversight of the Chair of United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). In 2026, DCO undertook a recalibration to ensure the RC system remains optimally configured to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda and embodies the UN 2.0 shift- anchored in data, digital, innovation, behavioral science, strategic foresight, and a mission driven 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 Damascus, Syria, under the supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office. Within delegated authority, the Partnerships Officer will perform 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 or similar platform 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. - Conducts liaison and coordination with UN entities at country, regional and HQ levels, to help package and define a value proposition for local UN partnerships 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, including the designing of development assistance coordination mechanisms in consultation with relevant stakeholders such as Development partners, Government, private sector, civil society and other non-traditional partners. - Serves as liaison to Global Compact Local Networks (in countries where such Networks are established), assisting the Resident Coordinator in advising the Local Network Board and strengthening local UN engagement with the private sector; in countries without an established Local Network, working with UN Global Compact regional hubs to promote the UN Global Compact Ten Principles and business support for the SDGs. 2. PARTICIPATES IN JOINT PARTNERSHIP AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION INITIATIVES AND SUPPORTS MANAGEMENT OF POOLED FUND FOR THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION FRAMEWORK. - 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 high net-worth individuals, private sector, 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 partnership strategy to support the SG priorities on youths, disability inclusion, gender and other thematic issues. - 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 SDG Fund, in close collaboration with UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (where relevant). 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 Common Country Analysis (CCA), 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 to improve development assistance policies and practice. - Working in close collaboration with the RCO Economist, ensures effective engagement of relevant counterparts, especially private sector, civil society and development partners, to develop engagement and partnerships around SDG financing. Also organizes regular partnership engagements for the Resident Coordinator (RC) and RCO. - Undertakes the design and execution of innovative proposals to strengthen the UNCT engagement and reputation, and to generate greater financial resources in support of the SDGs. 4. CONTRIBUTES TO 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 Coordinator System and across the UN. - Researches, analyzes and presents best practices and lessons learned from implementation of UN partnership initiatives, with a view