Mission and objectives

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

Context

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), the Partnerships & External Engagement Officer will strengthen UNDP South Africa’s strategic positioning, partnership development, and coordinated resource mobilisation efforts. The incumbent will leverage AI-enabled research, donor intelligence, and advocacy tools to enhance UNDP’s visibility, influence, and access to diversified and quality funding streams. The role is timely as the Country Office is rolling out a new Country Programme Document (CPD) 2026-2030 that takes a systems approach to transformation. The CPD is designed to deliver the results through two inter-related pathways of productive and inclusive markets that generate jobs and income on one end; and capable and climate-resilient systems that reduce risk and protect development gains on the other. The design is enabled through governance system strengthening informed by UN principles of leaving no one behind, human rights-based approach and sustainability.

Task Description

A. Strategic Partnerships & Positioning: • Develop and maintain a structured partnership and engagement plan aligned with the Country Programme resource mobilization target. • Operationalize the implementation of the CPD partnerships and resource mobilization strategy/ action plan. Design its monitoring plan to track and measure success, progress and solve any bottlenecks. • Map and track strategic partners across government, private sector, IFIs, foundations, and innovation ecosystems. • Identify high-leverage platforms for UNDP positioning. • Prepare tailored engagement briefs and strategic positioning materials. • Strengthen continuity and institutional memory of high-level engagements. B. Coordinated Resource Mobilization Support: • Serve as coordination focal point for donor intelligence and resource mobilization tracking. • Maintain a donor intelligence dashboard covering funding cycles, thematic priorities, and opportunity pipelines. • Identify and signal strategic funding entry points to programme teams. • Facilitate internal alignment to ensure integrated funding propositions. • Track commitments and ensure systematic follow-up on donor interactions. C. AI-Enabled Research & Donor Intelligence: • Deploy AI tools for donor landscape scanning and trend analysis. • Systematize research outputs into actionable intelligence notes and dashboards. • Introduce workflow automation to improve tracking and reporting. • Support data-driven positioning and engagement strategies. D. Advocacy, Narrative & Executive Communications: • Support the DRR in shaping strategic messaging aligned with programme results. • Draft and curate executive social media content and thought leadership outputs. • Translate technical programme achievements into compelling narratives. • Identify advocacy windows for proactive positioning. • Ensure coherence across speeches, engagements, and digital platforms. E. Internal Coordination & Strategic Execution: • Act as connector across programme, operations, and communications teams. • Convene periodic internal resource mobilization reviews. • Track high-level engagement outcomes and action points. • Strengthen knowledge management around partnership development.

Competencies and values

• Strategic Thinking & Systems Integration • Partnership Development & Ecosystem Navigation • Donor Intelligence & Analytical Rigor • AI & Digital Fluency • Advocacy & Narrative Strategy • Coordination & Facilitation • Political Acumen & Discretion

Living conditions and remarks

Bigger cities in South Africa can be highly cosmopolitan. In Johannesburg and Pretoria, you will find an abundance of world class gyms, restaurants, bars, recreational classes, galleries, parks etc. The bigger shopping malls host a large selection of international brands. There is a plethora of international cuisine to be sampled, and quirky independent cinemas to be discovered. OR Tambo International Airport is a world class airport, offering highly sophisticated facilities. It is located just outside of Johannesburg, in Kempton Park. It has many international airlines that fly into this airport. Crime rates in South Africa are ranked on the high end, petty theft and opportunistic crimes are common, and armed robberies, smash & grabs and hijackings are also fairly frequent in certain areas. One needs to remain vigilant especially at night and at road intersections. There are usually sign posts that indicate such hot spots. Periodic security information updates are sent via email providing information at national level, with regards to circumstances such as incidents of civil unrest, transport security, computer and networking safety and trends in criminality. UNDSS sends weekly security updates via email. Updates from wardens are on an ad hoc basis, following security related events in your residential area. Updates from UNDSS are provided weekly. UN Volunteers receives the below entitlements: • A Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): R33 348,22 per month; • A once off entry lumpsum of $400 at the start of the assignment; • Medical insurance; Life cover, and annual leave; • Access to all learning platforms; • A once off exit lumpsum at the end of the assignment.