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

The Public Partnerships Division (PPD) works to strengthen UNICEF’s position as a partner of choice for children’s rights among governments and inter-governmental actors around the world. The division is doing this by positioning children’s rights in the intergovernmental and multilateral fora and engaging with governments and public institutions as resource, policy and programme partners. A key premise for PPD is that the engagement with countries should be holistic based on multiple aspects of partnerships, including policy advocacy and resource mobilization.

How can you make a difference?

The Public Partnerships Specialist would be part of the Europe Team – UK++ cluster supporting different team across UNICEF with external relations as well as the partnership portfolio.

The purpose of the Temporary Appointment is to assist the Public Partnerships Manager to meet the accountabilities in support of the key priorities set-forth under the 2024 workplan of Europe Team in the context of the broader PPD Office Management Plan 2022-2025 as well as the UNICEF strategic plan results and corporate targets on resource mobilization and advocacy for sustainable development.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

1. Implement the work plan for assigned area, in order to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of results, in accordance with UNICEF’s partnership strategy.
2. Contribute to the further development of policy dialogue with the government partners, focusing on child rights and financing for children.
3. Acts as a focal point for identification and pursuit of opportunities for outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration, in key thematic areas (Education, Health, WASH, Nutrition, Climate Change etc.) including on how to respond to partners’ priorities, ensure that UNICEF’s interests, perspectives, and knowledge are taken into account in relevant policy and institutional processes, and ensure that they are fully aware of UNICEF’s perspectives, policies, priorities and capabilities..
4. Contribute to the development of new resource mobilization strategies for thematic areas by formulating recommendations for action based on on-going monitoring, analyzing current trends within designated partners and formulating recommendations for strategy approaches and message development.
5. Provide support and guidance to Regional and Country offices prior to and during proposal development, donor reporting and on grant management issues.  Monitor implementation and work with respective offices and donor to address bottlenecks.
6. Provides strategic, logistical and programmatic support to senior management and other UNICEF staff in corporate engagement and interaction with assigned partners.
7. Maintain awareness of current activities, political and social events and other multilateral bodies/governments, conduct analysis to understand how they may impact UNICEF activities and programmes and provide timely information to management.
8. Build and nurture close working partnerships with government counterparts, other UN agencies and governmental organizations through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate the promotion of the rights of the child and the overall UNICEF agenda.
9. Work closely with UNICEF’s colleagues to ensure that policy advocacy and outreach is strongly grounded in the experience and insights that UNICEF’s supports. Contributes written inputs for communications instruments that best inform and influence decision makers.
10. Contribute to the capacity building of UNICEF Country and Regional Offices to help them strengthen their engagement with the partners on the ground.
11. Performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure the success of the team, including guiding, training, and coaching short-term staff, including interns and consultants, as needed.

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

• Education: An advanced university degree is required in one of the following fields: international relations, political science, communications, international development, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: partnership management.  programme management, resource mobilization, , or other relevant area.
• Experience with the UN, international development organization, Foundation, or private sector service provider in the area of Humanitarian assistance/programming is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French 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

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.