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.

For every child, Partnerships …

Under the general guidance and direction of the PPD Senior Advisor/Team Lead, the Public Partnerships Specialist is responsible for various aspects of grant/contribution management, external relations, development and implementation of partner strategies and approaches for assigned member states and respective thematic areas; as well as liaison with: Government Missions to the UN, donor capitals, 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. This position is in team that oversees UNICEF’s partnership (financial and policy) with African Governments.

How can you make a difference?

1. Contribute to the Partnership, Advocacy and Resource Mobilization Strategies with Member States

• Under the supervision of the Senior Advisor and working closely with the Public Partnerships Managers, the Public Partnerships Specialist, contribute to the partnership, advocacy and resource mobilization strategies for assigned Member States, in coordination with the relevant UNICEF Divisions and Offices.
• Monitor and analyze 1) global trends in development cooperation and aid; 2) relevant government foreign policies and statements that impact UNICEF’s humanitarian programs; 3) development and child rights policies, budgets, and positions of partner countries; 4) cross-cutting UN policy matters and initiatives that impact UNICEF’s partnership with assigned Member States.
• Implement engagement plans and activities with the objectives of (1) increasing core and quality resources; (2) identifying all possible sources of new and continued funding; and (3) advocating for child rights with selected partner countries.

2. Support senior management for their strategic engagement with government and other partners

• Facilitate high level contacts with senior officials of Missions to the UN, departments of assigned Member States, 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 analyses, briefs, reports, statistics, income projections and requirements for Executive Director’s meetings with minister level counterparts, senior Member State officials, senior parliamentarians, or heads of major institutions.
• Help formulate advice to UNICEF senior management on recommended action with selected Member States/partners, 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 assigned partner countries for review/consideration of PPD senior management.
• Support the African Union Commission (AUC) on co-organizing Thought Leadership webinars on “Transforming Education in Africa” in 2024. This includes development of concept notes and agendas, coordinating with country, regional offices and programme group to identify thought leaders and solicit participation, overseeing the work of the production company, and working closely with the AUC and partners on each aspect of the webinar production, including drafting the report of the webinars.
• Perform secretariat function for UNICEF’s Taskforce Group on “Transforming Education in Africa”, including organizing meetings, following up on action points, drafting reports, and coordinating with the chair and the working group to support the implementation of key activities identified as UNICEF’s contributions for the African Union (AU) Year of Education in 2024.
• Coordinate with public sector partners and intergovernmental organizations in HQ to promote the AU Year of Education during key advocacy moments.

3. Effectively manage partnership agreements

• Under the guidance of the Public Partnerships Managers, negotiate terms of agreements of funding between UNICEF and assigned Member 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 partner/donor countries, 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 in programme management, monitoring and evaluation, United Nations intergovernmental processes, humanitarian assistance, or a related field.
• Track record of organizing high-level events with public sector partners/intergovernmental organizations which involves complex coordination at global, regional, and country levels.
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills with demonstrable experience in developing reports and publications.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is 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

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.

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:

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.