Public Partnership Specialist, (P-3), (Temporary Appointment), Public Partnerships Division (PPD), Washington DC, Post# 129298

Under the general guidance and direction of UNICEF’s Public Partnerships Division- Washington, D.C.US Government Outpost Lead and Partnerships Manager), the Public Partnerships Specialist will implement a strategic work plan to support UNICEF’s work to inform and educate US Congressional committees and staff, in a bipartisan manner, to help sustain the US Government’s support for UNICEF. In addition to the primary focus on US Congressional engagement, the Public Partnerships Specialist is also responsible for supporting aspects of US financial grants/contribution management, external relations, development and implementation of partnership strategies related to specific thematic areas. The incumbent will liaise directly with: Congressional staff (member offices and committee staff), USAID/State Department staff, UNICEF National committee staff and other non-governmental partners, UN agencies, UNICEF Headquarter Divisions and UNICEF Field Offices. The Partnerships Specialist is responsible for maintaining on-going contacts at working levels with these various offices.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Partnerships

Under the general guidance and direction of UNICEF’s Public Partnerships Division- Washington, D.C., US Government Outpost Lead and Partnerships Manager, the Public Partnerships Specialist will implement a strategic work plan to support UNICEF’s work to inform and educate US Congressional committees and staff, in a bipartisan manner, to help sustain the US Government’s support for UNICEF. In addition to the primary focus on US Congressional engagement, the Public Partnerships Specialist is also responsible for supporting aspects of US financial grants/contribution management, external relations, development and implementation of partnership strategies related to specific thematic areas. The incumbent will liaise directly with: Congressional staff (member offices and committee staff), USAID/State Department staff, UNICEF National committee staff and other non-governmental partners, UN agencies, UNICEF Headquarter Divisions and UNICEF Field Offices.  The Partnerships Specialist is responsible for maintaining on-going contacts at working levels with these various offices.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Contribute to the Partnership, Advocacy and Resource Mobilization Strategy with the United States Government in coordination with relevant UNICEF Divisions/Offices

• Monitor and analyze relevant draft Congressional legislation, US foreign policy developments and statements that impact UNICEF’s humanitarian and development programs, as well as UN policy matters and initiatives that impact UNICEF’s partnership with the United States Government.  
• Implement a strategic workplan aimed at sustaining strong bipartisan support for UNICEF’s work, increasing resources and identifying opportunities for new funding.

2. Support senior management’s strategic engagement with the US Government – particularly the Legislative Branch – and other                 partners

• Support UNICEFs liaison with the Legislative Branch of the US government. The position is responsible for engaging with Congressional committees in a bipartisan manner, and facilitating high level contacts with Congressional staff. The position is responsible for supporting the US Government Washington DC small liaison office lead (Public Partnerships Manager) in engaging with Congressional committees, coordinating with the US National Committee, facilitating high level contacts with Congressional staff, and providing analysis, support and follow up related to UNICEF’s leadership-level meetings with the Legislative Branch.

• Liaise with U.S. Government Agencies/Departments, and other internal and external interlocutors in order to promote cooperation with UNICEF and the attainment of UNICEF’s goals and objectives.
• Prepare comprehensive and substantive analysis for the Executive Director and UNICEF senior leadership meetings with counterparts, including Congressional Representatives, other senior Member State officials, or heads of major institutions.
• Help formulate advice to UNICEF senior management on recommended action to influence policies, (inter-governmental) positions and practices and maintain and increase UNICEF’s resource base.
• Develop policy papers and guidelines to enhance partnerships and initiatives for review/consideration of PPD senior management.

3. Effectively manage partnership agreements

• Under the guidance of the Public Partnerships Managers and Public Partnerships Specialist, negotiate terms of agreements of funding between UNICEF and assigned Member States (primarily United States) in a manner that is consistent with UNICEF Regulations and Rules in coordination with the UNICEF Legal Office, HQ divisions and field offices. Ensure appropriate management of negotiated contributions according to UNICEF Regulations and Rules.
• Guide and support field offices in their engagement with the United States, and advise them on proposal development, legal arrangements and donor reporting.
• Provide quality assurance for contribution/grant management in close coordination with relevant internal offices.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in social sciences, or related technical field.  A first university degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant field, combined with 2 additional years of professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels.
• Experience with the US Legislative branch in some manner (e.g., directly or in a liaison function) is a requirement.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

In the cover letter, applicants should summarize relevant experience, highlighting with specificity US Congressional / Legislative branch experience and knowledge. Please also include relevant experience, transferrable skills or exposure related to: 1) grants management; 2) development/humanitarian affairs; 3) the United Nations or international institutions.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.