Partnerships & Advocacy Officer

Host entity: UNOPS

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Community development

Application deadline: 17/09/2026

Mission and objectives

UNOPS provides infrastructure, procurement and project management services for a more sustainable world.
Firmly grounded in UN values, we ensure our partners maximize the positive impact of their peace and security, humanitarian and development projects. Equality, inclusiveness, sustainability and resilience form the foundations of our work.

UNOPS is dedicated to supporting our partners by providing services that increase the effectiveness of peace and security, humanitarian and development projects worldwide.
To advance the 2030 Agenda – including supporting climate actions and promoting equal opportunities – UNOPS aims to engage in collaborative partnerships with a focus on sharing our expertise in infrastructure, procurement, project management, human resources and financial services.

They work with a variety of partners, from the UN family to governments, non-governmental organizations, academia and the private sector.
Their partners call on us to supplement their own capacities, improve efficiency and transparency, reduce risks, boost cost-effectiveness and ensure quality.

Assignment context

UNOPS helps the UN system, governments, and partners deliver operational solutions across infrastructure, procurement, grant management, and project delivery. As part of its commitment to climate action, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable supply chains, UNOPS works to accelerate the transition toward circular economies, reduce plastic waste, and enhance municipal resource recovery.

The Partnerships & Advocacy Officer will work under the supervision of Project Manager and will support the team in strengthening donor and stakeholder engagement for UNOPS initiatives in Iran. S/he will support the Project team in conducting analysis and research to identify relevant donors, funding opportunities and areas of strategic alignment with due consideration to the political, economic and development context of Iran. S/he will play a key role in supporting the preparation of materials and key messages for engagement. The Officer will liaise with all relevant internal colleagues to provide the required support. An understanding and contextual awareness of Iran including its development landscape, key institutions and operating environments is mandatory for this role.

Task description

The UN Volunteer will contribute inputs into development of strategies, proposals, project documents and concept notes related to resource mobilization and donor engagement. Their specific tasks will include:
Strategic Research & Donor Intelligence
● Conduct continuous scanning of Iran’s political, economic, and development context to maintain up-to-date donor intelligence.
● Identify, map, and assess donor priorities and emerging funding mechanisms to establish an active pipeline of resource mobilization opportunities.
Partnership Engagement & Outreach
● Support the Project Manager in fostering synergies by participating in targeted outreach and meetings with UN agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.
● Brainstorm, pitch, and present strategic donor engagement opportunities for internal endorsement.
● Assist in undertaking relevant internal reviews for donor engagement strategies.
Proposal Development & Communications
● Draft, design, and customize compelling resource mobilization materials tailored to specific audiences, including presentations, speaking points, and articles.
● Develop formal funding documents using required templates, including concept notes, proposals, project factsheets, and situational or donor briefs.
Knowledge Management & Internal Coordination
● Collaborate with the project team to consolidate data and ensure project achievements are accurately captured in formats suitable for donor outreach.
● Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned related to business development and donor engagement.
● Ensure adherence to UNOPS resource mobilization SOPs and actively contribute to regional and global knowledge networks.

Skills and experience

Relevant experience (including internships, academic projects, or volunteer work) in partnership, proposal writing, advocacy and communications required.

Competencies and values

● Integrity
● Respect for Diversity
● Creativity & Innovation
● Commitment to Continuous Learning
● Good Communication Skills
● Good Teamwork Skills
● ICT Awareness

Living conditions

As this is a national UNV assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.
UNV Field Unit will help you open a Pak rupee bank account with Standard Chartered Bank or any other local bank at your duty station.

Assignment remarks:
This is a national UNV assignment, and a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of PKR 105,091 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.