Private Sector Engagement and Partnership… at UN Women · Rome

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• 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: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts • Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• 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: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates) • Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts • Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP is the United Nations’ lead agency on international development. We support countries and communities as they work to eradicate poverty, implement the Paris Agreement on climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We advocate for transformative change, and we connect countries to the resources they need to help people build a better life. Additionally, UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the framework of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) global mandate to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development, the UNDP in Italy serves as a strategic platform linking UNDP with the Government of Italy, Italian institutions, and development partners. The Office works to strengthen partnerships, mobilize resources, and advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It facilitates collaboration and supports the design and implementation of programmes in areas such as climate action, inclusive growth, crisis response, and innovation for development.

The UNDP Rome Centre for Climate and Energy (the “UNDP Rome Centre”) represents a key platform for strategic engagement between UNDP and the Government of Italy in the areas of climate, energy, and environment. Operating under the overall guidance of UNDP and in close collaboration with Italian partners, the Centre focuses on critical policy areas including climate finance, youth engagement in climate action, and energy for sustainable development. The Rome Centre contributes to advancing global and national efforts toward a just energy transition, increased climate ambition, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The main UNDP Rome Centre programmatic activities are:PISTA, the Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance, aims to mobilise finance for climate, energy and the environment. Specifically, PISTA aims to support projects that contribute to the decarbonization efforts of developing economies and to their transition to climate-resilient economies, and it aims to catalyse international financial resources toward these initiatives. Matching impactful projects with investors and capital providers goes hand in hand with the engagement with financial institutions – both institutional and private – at Italian and global level. In its current portfolio, PISTA is supporting 18 projects across Africa, to which it is providing technical assistance throughout 2025 with the goal of strengthening their bankability – from developing financial models, to enhancing environmental and social impact management, to more ad hoc project support.Youth4Climate promotes youth engagement in climate action, contributing to SDG13. Youth4Climate supports the implementation of youth-led and youth-inclusive solutions to environmental and climate challenges, both financially and through capacity development. It also gives young people around the world who are committed to fighting climate change a platform to engage with policymakers and global leaders.

Energy For Growth (“E4G”) aims to promote access to sustainable energy in developing countries, contributing to SDG7. The goal of the initiative is to assist partner countries in unlocking finance to scale up the diffusion of clean energy solutions, increase access to energy and boost the energy transition. E4G aims to foster the mobilization of public and private capital toward projects aligned with the international policy agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. It does so by connecting UNDP's capacity and connections in emerging economies and developing countries with the public-private ecosystem of Italy and other G7 countries, in the crucial sector of energy.

The Team supports the head of the Rome Centre in high-level representation and fosters closer collaboration with the UNDP Global Network, regional bureau, and country offices. It oversees partnership frameworks that underpin the Centre’s cross-cutting mandate, particularly in engaging with the private sector. The Division also plays a central role in deepening donor engagement, especially through structured interaction with the G7 and G20 fora, where the Centre is increasingly recognized as a model platform for advancing sustainable development initiatives. In addition, the Division strengthens resource mobilization in priority areas such as climate, energy, artificial intelligence, and digitalization, while integrating UNDP’s technical expertise into donor-driven programmatic offers.

The Rome Centre holds a pivotal role in the European Union’s cooperation landscape, aligning its work with key frameworks such as the Global Gateway. In close coordination with the UNDP Brussels Office, the Division enhances outreach to EU institutions and Member States, ensuring UNDP’s positioning as a strategic partner in European development policy. At the same time, it drives private sector engagement by formulating innovative funding modalities for resource mobilisation and fostering impactful public–private partnerships, including through the Italy–UNDP bilateral framework.

Beyond these priorities, the Team actively explores emerging funding opportunities from both traditional and non-traditional donors, including philanthropic organizations and academia. It contributes to pilot initiatives in new thematic areas—such as cultural industries, health, water, and digitalization—ensuring the Centre remains responsive to global development challenges. By combining resource mobilization with political intelligence and strategic communications, the Division strengthens UNDP’s visibility in Italy, the G7, and the EU.

Through this work, the Team for Strategy and Partnerships enables the UNDP Rome Centre to act as a hub for innovation, partnerships, and thought leadership. It enhances UNDP’s capacity to engage diverse stakeholders, expand programmatic impact, and contribute meaningfully to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

In this context, the position plays a central role in advancing the UNDP Rome Centre’s mandate by leading private sector engagement and partnership development, strengthening strategic collaboration with Italian and international stakeholders, and translating programme priorities—across PISTA, Youth4Climate, and Energy for Growth—into concrete, scalable partnerships, resource mobilization opportunities, and high-impact initiatives aligned with UNDP’s Strategic Plan and the 2030 Agenda. As part of this work, the position will primarily provide capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, and advisory support on procurement to both external partners and internal stakeholders.

Scope of Work

1. Ensure Programme Development and Strategy

• Contribute to the refinement and lead the implementation of the UNDP in Italy and UNDP Rome Centre’s private sector engagement strategy, aligning it with broader UNDP strategic objectives, and lead its day-to-day implementation.
• Design partnership and market engagement process and tools that strengthen the operational effectiveness of the Partnership and Strategy team with a key emphasis on private sector engagement with UNDP’s strategic procurement frameworks.
• Conduct strategic market intelligence data analysis to assess private sector capacity, evaluate market trends and supplier performance in inform the design and implementation of climate and energy programs
• Identify strategic opportunities and partnership for collaboration with public and private stakeholders in sustainable energy and climate sector
• Support in preparing strategic documents, such as concept notes, strategy papers, and internal memos.

2. Lead Partnerships, Communication, and Private Sector Engagement

• Support the team lead in the entire life cycle of private sector engagement and partnership building and monitoring ensuring full compliance with UNDP POPP regulation
• Guide and support the UNDP in Italy and the UNDP Rome Centre’s thematic teams—including PISTA, Energy for Growth in Africa, Y4C, and other programmes—in identifying and facilitating strategic engagement with private sector actors, fostering collaboration on the programmatic priorities.
• Facilitate communication and relationship management with the Italian public administration and other key stakeholders from private sector including developing and managing a database of private sector stakeholder for UNDP.
• Leading the planning and execution of partnership-related events, such as donor briefings, consultations, and outreach events including B2B, workshops and any other business engagement related events.
• Assist in the creation and refinement of joint advocacy and technical communication materials, including drafting complex Terms of Reference (ToRs) and partnership guidelines to facilitate vendor engagement.

3. Ensure Reporting, Monitoring, and Evaluation Activities Specially Procurement-backed Partnership Activities.

• Support the collection and analysis of partnership data
• Draft and submit periodic donor reports, project updates, and internal progress summaries.
• Coordinate inputs from multiple stakeholders to produce high-quality, timely reports for internal and external audiences.
• Ensure consistent documentation and dissemination of key results, lessons learned, and best practices.
• Establish and maintain a monitoring framework to track partnership milestones
• Draft high-quality progress and financial reports for donors and internal stakeholders, ensuring transparent documentation and a clean audit trail for all procurement-backed partnership activities. Maintain partnership documentation and coordinate with Procurement/Ops to ensure procurement records are retained in the appropriate systems.

3. Provision of Private Sector Engagement Support to the Management

• Provide strategic and advisory support to the Partnership Team Lead and Senior Management, offering expert technical input on private sector engagement risks.
• Prepare high-level briefing notes, background documents, and operational policy analyses for senior leadership to support decision-making on complex partnership negotiations.
• Act as the key focal point and operational liaison for resolving complex partner-related issues, ensuring seamless communication between technical teams, management, and private sector stakeholders.
• Track and follow up on action items and commitments made during high-level meetings or engagements.

4. Contribute to Project Management

• Monitor partnership deliverables and flag vendor-related issues to the contract manager/procurement focal point
• Ensure that project activities and sourcing strategies align with UNDP’s standards for inclusiveness, sustainable procurement, and gender equity.
• Contribute to documentation and reporting of workplan progress and outcomes, highlighting synergies and opportunities for replication.

5. Facilitate knowledge management on UNDP procurement procedures and partnership rules of engagement

• Identify capacity building needs and design tailored training programs for private sector partners on UNDP procurement procedures and partnership rules of engagement, organizing workshops involving technical experts, government, NGOs, and academia.

  • Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.

• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice particularly on private sector engagement, sustainable supply chains, and green public procurement.

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

Institutional Arrangement

• The incumbent will be office-based;
• The incumbent will report to the UNDP Rome Centre - Partnership and Strategy Team Lead.
• The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment.
• International mission travel may be required.

Expected Demonstration of 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

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Management	Partnerships Management	Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Procurement	Strategic sourcing	Knowledge of strategic sourcing concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
Procurement	Supplier/relationship management	Knowledge of supplier management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
Partnerships Management	Private Sector Engagement	Ability to identify, conduct outreach, and manage relationships with the private sector
Business Direction and 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 to alter one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Management	Communication	Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. ‡Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Required Education, Experience, Skills and Competencies

Minimum Education requirements

Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, Public Policy, Business and Economics, Political Sciences, International Relations, Engineering (e.g. Management or Environmental Engineering) or a 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.

Minimum years of relevant work experience

Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in international development specifically focusing on private sector engagement, strategic partnerships, and procurement management is required.

Required knowledge, skills and experience

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in international development, private sector engagement, and strategic procurement preferably in climate change.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing partnerships with the private sector, including identifying, scoping, and structuring partnership opportunities aligned with SDGs and climate priorities and conducting due diligence and risk assessments for private partners in line with UN/UNDP standards.
• Demonstrated expertise in end-to-end procurement processes for high-value projects.
• Proven ability to act as a capacity-building focal point, designing and delivering training or workshops to private sector entities on international public procurement guidelines.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and coordinating multi-country activities, particularly in developing countries and emerging economies.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement with governments, multilateral organisations, and the private sector at senior level.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Familiarity with procurement processes and supply chain management in critical development sectors, such as healthcare procurement (e.g., medical supplies, pharmaceuticals) or complex infrastructure projects.
• Possession of recognized professional certifications in procurement and supply chain management (such as CIPS - Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply or equivalent).
• Experience in supporting innovative financing mechanisms, co-financing, or blended finance initiatives in partnership with private sector entities.
• Proven professional experience in managing consulting firms (management, strategy, or development consulting) on assignments involving policy advisory, corporate sustainability, or institutional partnership development.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-country or regional programmes across developing and emerging economies.
• Strong track record of producing high-quality policy and analytical outputs, such as policy papers, strategic briefs, and reform recommendations.
• Extensive experience designing and delivering capacity-building initiatives (workshops, trainings, mentorship programmes, and peer-learning exchanges) for government institutions, private sector actors, and civil society organizations.
• Proven competence in project design, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and donor reporting.
• Experience in supporting co-financing, blended finance, or impact investment initiatives with private entities

Required Language (s):

• Fluency in English is required.
• Basic working knowledge of Italian is an asset.
• Knowledge of additional UN Languages would be an advantage.

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.

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.

Scam alert

• UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

#LI-DNI