UNICEF: Resource Mobilisation Specialist – Abidjan

Organization Mission

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children”s survival, protection and development. The world”s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments

Context

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children”s survival, protection and development. The world”s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Under the supervision of the Chief of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, the UNV Resource Mobilization Specialist is responsible to support the Cote d’Ivoire Country Office’s (CO) work in the areas of donors’ relations, design / implementation / tracking of the fundraising strategy, overseeing donor proposals, grants management and reports development, in particular with public sector donors.

Key Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, the UN Volunteer Resource Mobilization Specialist will support the office work by:

• In close consultation with the Chief of Partnerships and Program Sections, support the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy and action plans for the 2026-2030 Country Programme Document (CPD). Guide and support Program Sections on opportunities for resource mobilization, particularly with public donors. Prepare monthly updates and bi-annual reports to the Country Management (e.g., on funding gaps, top donors, etc).
• Support the Country Office’s (CO) activities around donor relations, acting as focal point for communication with public donors when required; support the CO communication with UNICEF Programme and Public Donor (PPD ) colleagues on fundraising and donor relations matters.
• Assist program colleagues on the key steps of the funding cycle once funding is secured: development of conventions/contracts, grant creation, convention amendments/extensions, reporting, etc.
• Support the office’s effort to strengthen existing donor relationships and further expand the office network with new prospects. Develop and enhance the CO”s understanding of potential and existing donors through deeper donor analysis, regular meetings and communication, active monitoring of calls for proposals and funding opportunities, donor briefing sessions, and provide systematic follow-up of all opportunities.
• Oversee and directly contribute to the donor proposal development process. Gather insights about specific fundraising opportunities and brief concerned colleagues (management, program colleagues, communication specialist). Support the conceptualization and development of project proposals with substantive input from Programme Specialists and field staff. Coordinate contributions from colleagues and ensure timely and quality donor proposal submissions.
• Help the CO develop a culture of “customer relationship management” and ensure a focus on donors’ and partners’ satisfaction as a critical success factor to ensure business continuity. This includes supporting programme and communication colleagues on subjects such as donor field visits, development of donor reports, and other donor communication products to ensure the donor’s perspective is considered, and program results are effectively represented and aligned with commitments made to donors. Work closely with the communications team and seek synergies between resource mobilization and communications to enhance donor visibility and recognition, as well as advocacy for fundraising purposes through innovative approaches.
• Regularly liaise with programme sections and participate in strategic meetings as requested, to ensure updated and comprehensive knowledge of UNICEF programmes and their funding gaps. Support the Management outreach efforts and briefings with donors to report on the status of children in Côte d”Ivoire, CPD implementation, and funding needs.

Required Skills and Experience

• At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in partnerships, project management, marketing, or other relevant areas; experience in a developing country, particularly in West Africa, is an asset, as is experience working in the United Nations (UN ), other international development organizations, and/or international non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, and reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office (MS Office ) applications (Excel, Word, etc.) ;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in children’s rights.

Core Competencies

I) Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

II) Core Competencies *

 Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
 Works Collaboratively with others (1)
 Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
 Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
 Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
 Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
 Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

*The 7 core competencies are applicable to all employees. However, the competency Nurtures, Leads and Managers people is only applicable to staff who supervise others.

Living Conditions

Côte d’Ivoire offers a dynamic, culturally rich, and professionally rewarding environment, particularly in Abidjan, a regional economic hub with good access to services, international transport links, and a vibrant social and cultural life. The country benefits from relative political stability, improving infrastructure, and a growing international community.
Living and working in Côte d’Ivoire requires a high level of cultural awareness, adaptability, and resilience. International staff are expected to adjust to a tropical climate, occasional infrastructure constraints, and differences in working and living standards compared to duty stations in Europe or North America. While good-quality housing, medical facilities, international schools, banking services, internet connectivity, and a wide range of food options are available—especially in major urban centres—costs can be high, and services may be uneven.
The security situation is generally stable, particularly in Abidjan, though staff are expected to comply fully with United Nations security regulations and exercise appropriate personal vigilance. Travel within the country is possible by road and air, though conditions may vary depending on location and season.
Overall, Côte d’Ivoire is well suited to mature, flexible professionals who are comfortable operating in a developing-country context and who are motivated by meaningful work, cross cultural engagement, and contributing to impactful programmes. The ability and willingness to adapt to local conditions is essential for a successful and fulfilling assignment.

Conditions of Service for international UN Volunteers

The initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment.

A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).

The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$ 1,736. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website – https://icsc.un.org/

In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station.

UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements).

UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment.

UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.