Corporate Research Specialist – P3  

Under the leadership and guidance of the Corporate Research Manager, the incumbent is leading on the due diligence principles’ application to product-based engagements, including cause-related marketing (CRM) and cause-related licensing activations. The incumbent is responsible for implementing the minimum quality assurance and ethical compliance standards and related policies and tools for UNICEF branded products marketed under license agreements and through local procurement by National Committees and country offices. The incumbent is also responsible for the development of training support material for CRM and local licensing stakeholders, and due diligence and knowledge tools for use by PFP staff, National Committees, and country offices.
 

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. 

This post provides specialized support to the PFP Division for engagements with corporate entities, in particular but not limited to engagements in which commercial products utilize the UNICEF brand for purposes of fundraising or promotion of UNICEF’s mission.  

For every child, opportunities

Under the leadership and guidance of the Corporate Research Manager, the incumbent is leading on the due diligence principles’ application to product-based engagements, including cause-related marketing (CRM) and cause-related licensing activations. The incumbent is responsible for implementing the minimum quality assurance and ethical compliance standards and related policies and tools for UNICEF branded products marketed under license agreements and through local procurement by National Committees and country offices. The incumbent is also responsible for the development of training support material for CRM and local licensing stakeholders, and due diligence and knowledge tools for use by PFP staff, National Committees, and country offices. 

This work is in support of PFP’s Private Sector Fundraising and Partnerships Team, including among others Corporate, Global Philanthropy and Foundations teams, which has the mandate to drive income growth from the private sector as part of an integrated corporate engagement strategy, as   well as the PASS team which is responsible for risk, opportunity, and research assessments to optimize new engagements by UNICEF. 

How can you make a difference?

Summary of key functions/accountabilities: 

• Provides support to the Due Diligence team with regards to risk analysis and due diligence research and evaluation of information on entities considered for engagement (with a specific focus on product-based partnerships), 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.
• Implements and ensures compliance with the quality and ethical standards for UNICEF branded products, by leading risk assessments to define the control plans on factories and products, reviewing product related quality documentation, and disseminating and communicating the UNICEF Minimum standards for product-based fundraising.
• Maintains the quality and compliance guidelines for UNICEF branded products, and integrates them into the overall due diligence process, by developing and keeping updated superior knowledge of international regulations and standards and maintaining a global risk register of product categories which are UNICEF branded.
• Acts as PASS team focal point for data management and reporting, including quality assurance of PASS information for the customer relationship system (CRM) and UNICEF intranet.
• Provides ad-hoc support to the Corporate Research Manager as needed.
• Provide staff under their supervision with clear guidance and representation especially for case escalation to the Corporate Research Manager and Senior Management. 
• Review due diligence cases of direct reports for guidance when needed and to ensure harmonization of language and recommendations. 

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

•  An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the following fields is required: Business Administration or Industrial Engineering. Specialization in Quality Management, Quality Control and Compliance would be an advantage.  
• Alternatively, a first level university degree in combination with two years of additional work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in Corporate Social Responsibility, product-based fundraising risk assessment, quality assurance programs management or in product development of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG); and corporate due diligence is required.
• Knowledge of tools, concepts and methodologies of Quality Assurance as well as of general understanding of regulatory requirements relevant to FMCG is required.
• Proficient knowledge of current theories and practices in socially responsible investing and social, environmental and governance issues 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 recommendation and writing briefing and concept 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.
• Knowledge of customer-relationship management systems is an asset.
• Fundraising and/or marketing experience is an asset.
• Experience in enhanced due diligence on high-net-worth individuals is an asset.
• Proven experience in managing corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects in supply chains of FMCG is an asset.
• Working knowledge of child rights and business principles and sustainability is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

This role requires that the incumbent be equipped with specialized competencies, qualifications, and advanced levels of expertise. The co-presence of sound knowledge and experience on child rights, familiarity with UNICEF programmes, as well as a deep understanding of the organization’s global strategy for prospecting and structuring financial partnerships are therefore instrumental to effectively serve the role in the function.  

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

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 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 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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

This position is classified as Highly Specialized Position (HSP). 

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.

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