Team Lead - Partnerships and Strategy [Open to Tier 2 applicants]

Background

The Partnerships and Strategy Unit of the UNDP Rome Centre plays a critical role in positioning the Centre as a strategic node within the UNDP global network. The Unit is mandated to drive forward UNDP’s agenda on resource mobilization, strategic outreach, and public-private partnerships, with a focus on the Italian cooperation system and in connection with the European Union, G7/G20 platforms, and private sector actors. Among its key challenges are navigating a rapidly evolving donor landscape, responding to shifting geopolitical priorities, and aligning diverse partner interests with UNDP’s programmatic goals. The Unit also serves as a policy and innovation interface, linking Rome-based stakeholders with UNDP’s operational architecture and thought leadership on global development issues.

This position is integral to advancing the Unit’s priorities by providing high-level leadership on partnership development, funding mobilization, private sector engagement and institutional visibility. The Team Leader is expected to contribute to the strategic direction of the Rome Centre and UNDP by shaping and executing a coherent engagement strategy that responds to donor expectations, leverages political opportunities, and supports programmatic scale-up in priority areas such as energy transition, climate finance, and digital transformation. The work of the incumbent directly supports UNDP’s broader strategic objectives on building diversified and resilient partnerships, deepening engagement with emerging donors and non-traditional actors, and fostering integrated development solutions through cross-functional collaboration.

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The Team Leader for Partnerships and Strategy will play a central role in advancing the UNDP strategic vision by leading the design and execution of partnership, resource mobilization, and donor engagement strategies. Operating in a dynamic and multidisciplinary environment, the Team Leader will ensure cohesive collaboration across donor relations, leading UNDP’s partnerships with the Italian public and private sectors. This role will also support UNDP  efforts with broader EU and G7/G20 outreach and guide strategic communications. 

The position contributes directly to strengthening UNDP’s global positioning, expanding its resource base, and enhancing its programmatic footprint, while fostering innovation and institutional visibility. In line with UNDP’s portfolio approach, the Team Leader is expected to work collaboratively across functions and teams, both within the Centre and across the wider UNDP network, to support integrated and systemic development responses.

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

1) Provide overall strategic direction and operational leadership to the strategy, partnerships unit

2) Lead the development and execution of strategies to engage donors and secure funding aligned with Centre and UNDP priorities

3) Design and implement strategies to attract private capital and foster innovative financing partnerships

4) Serve as the Centre’s lead representative in external engagements and advocate for its mandate and priorities

5) Ensure strategic alignment and coordination with UNDP HQ, regional hubs, and country offices for partnership and resource mobilization activities and facilitate knowledge sharing 

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

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:

Think Innovatively:

Learn Continuously:

Adapt with Agility: 

Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.

Act with Determination:

Engage and Partner:

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

Cross-Functional & Technical 

Business Direction and Strategy - Systems Thinking:

Business Direction & Strategy - Negotiation and Influence:

Business Management - Communication:

Business Management - Portfolio Management:

Partnership management -EU Partnerships:

Partnership management - Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding:

Partnership management - Resource mobilization:

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Experience:

Language Requirement

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. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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.

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