Corporate Research Specialist, P-3, (FT), # 43391, PASS, PFP, Geneva, Switzerland

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

Private sector research and due diligence are integral aspects of UNICEF’s scoping and selection work for private sector engagement. This area of work, conducted on behalf of the organization by the Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division (PFP), aims to support UNICEF’s effective engagement with business, while at the same time ensuring that interactions with companies, corporate foundations, major donors, private foundations, faith-based and membership based organizations are pursued in alignment with the organization’s integrity standards and its mandate, and reflect an adequate assessment of the risks and opportunities that engagements may pose to UNICEF and ultimately to children. Core to this function, managed at PFP by the Partnerships Advisory Support Services (PASS) team, is the review of private sector prospects and partners, and activities considered by UNICEF for potential interaction against specific parameters for engagement, applying a specific due diligence approval process.

For every child, a champion 

This post is responsible for the implementation of PASS reviews on opportunities and risks with private sector entities put forth by UNICEF and National Committee/country office colleagues for partnership consideration, specializing in both financial engagements (fundraising, or engagement involving funding) and non-funded engagements.

The incumbent will also have a thematic role in data and knowledge management within the PASS team, based on the established thematic and geographic roles and responsibilities within the team. The incumbent’s work will support PFP’s Private Sector Fundraising and Partnerships Team, including among others Corporate, Global Philanthropy and Foundations teams, among others, which has the mandate to drive income growth from the private sector as part of an integrated engagement strategy.

How can you make a difference? 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Manages UNICEF due diligence research and evaluation of information on entities considered for engagement, resulting in the formulation and delivery of relevant and focused recommendations around existing opportunities, related integrity issues and effective risk management measures.
• Provides clear, targeted, and objective analysis of market data related to companies’ sustainability policies and ethical performance against existing UNICEF mission and due diligence criteria, including through the effective use of specialized external sources and providers.
• Ensures that PASS due diligence reports include profiling and business data in support of the prospecting work of PFP Partnerships.
• Supports the Corporate Research Manager in the onboarding of National Committees and country offices and their integration into the due diligence modules of the CRM system. Directs and implements related training for users.
• Provides ad-hoc support to the Corporate Research Manager as needed.
• Provides staff under their supervision with clear guidance and representation especially for case escalation to the Corporate Research Manager and Senior Management.
• Reviews due diligence cases of direct reports for guidance when needed and ensure harmonization of language and recommendations.

To qualify as a Champion for every child you will have… 

Education: 

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Human Rights, Corporate Social Responsibility, Business Management, Market Research, Communication or Environmental Sciences and Engineering.
• Alternatively, a first level university degree in combination with two (2) years of additional work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: 

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in Corporate Social Responsibility, corporate or high-net-worth individuals’ due diligence, market research, child rights advocacy, communications and marketing, climate change activism, environmental engineering, and/or project management is required.
• Proven experience in managing staff and overseeing the work of consultants including in high pressure/high volume environments is required.
• Proven experience in formulating recommendations to senior management and writing briefing notes is required.
• Proven ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form, and specific skills in developing proposals and presentation for alliances is required.
• Familiarity with UNICEF programmatic work and/or child rights programming is an asset.
• Fundraising and/or marketing experience is an asset.
• Experience in enhanced due diligence on high-net-worth individuals is an asset.
• Proficient knowledge of current theories and practices in socially responsible investing and social, environmental and governance issues is an asset.

Language requirement: 

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) would be an asset.

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… 

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2) are required.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. 

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. 

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks: 

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.