OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Division for Partnerships, within the Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP), is responsible for coordinating UNESCO’s public and private partners including key interlocutors from bilateral donors, United Nations and multilateral organizations, regional institutions such as the European Union (EU) and regional banks, civil society, philanthropy, foundations and the private sector. It works to diversify and expand UNESCO’s partner base and provide backstopping and guidance to UNESCO Programme Sectors, field offices, and Category 1 Institutes in support of their efforts to build strategic partnerships and mobilize resources. The Division for Partnerships is responsible for the elaboration of strategies for partnership and resource mobilization, in line with UN reform and best practices in these areas.

The Section for Donor Outreach and Resource Mobilization sits within the Division for Partnerships of the Bureau of Strategic Planning. It is responsible for coordinating and scaling up partnerships with the private sector, foundations and multilateral organizations, supporting the resource mobilization efforts of Programme Sectors, Field Offices and Category 1 Institutes through outreach, intelligence gathering, capacity building, knowledge exchange, and backstopping of decentralized resource mobilization efforts. Furthermore, it prepares strategy and policy documents relating to resource mobilization and partnerships and provides support for strategic dialogues with partners and the development of tools, systems and processes relating to partnerships and resource mobilization.

As part of its contribution to the wider efforts of the division to create a better enabling environment for resource mobilization and for building strategic partnerships, the Section will engage a Private Sector Partnership Specialist to support UNESCO’s engagement with the private sector, including with business, philanthropy, foundations and individual giving.

Duties:

Under the authority of the Director of the Division for Partnerships and the direct supervision of the Chief of Section for Donor Outreach and Resource Mobilization, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Contribute to building and maintaining strong relationships, partnerships, coalitions and new alliances and engage with prospective private sector partners including companies, foundations, HNWI, and major funders by organizing meetings, workshops and any relevant event.
• Monitor and stay abreast of private sector investment trends, financing and market trends, identify and map prospects, and propose entry points for engagement, in close coordination with other relevant units in the Bureau of Strategic Planning.
• Integrate innovative financing instruments and mechanisms into new and existing UNESCO initiatives by identifying opportunities for applying models such as tax exemption schemes, impact investing, blended finance and social bonds, etc.
• Leverage UNESCO’s brand as a tool for partnership development by creating initiatives, such as co-branding, cause-related marketing, sponsorships, joint campaigns, etc., in collaboration with private sector partners.
• Provide backstopping to UNESCO Programme sectors, Institutes and field offices as required in the negotiation of funding agreements and providing advice on private sector engagement plans and initiatives.
• Develop and deliver pitches, presentations, briefs and other documents to support private sector engagement.
• Participate in and help organize events to expand networking opportunities with potential private sector partners and ensure follow up.
• Perform any other duties and tasks as assigned by the Chief of Section for Strategic Partnerships and Donor Relations.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of Social Sciences, Economics or other fields relevant to UNESCO’s mandate and partnership building.

Work Experience

• At least four (4) years of relevant work experience related to private sector engagement, partnerships and resource mobilization, of which preferably two (2) years acquired at international level.

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated analytical and technical skills in private sector partnership development and resource mobilization.
• Successful track record in establishing, building and managing partnerships with various stakeholders.
• Knowledge of blended finance approaches and other relevant private sector financing instruments.
• Proven ability to establish, maintain, and enhance broad strategic networks and partnerships with international partners in order to build alliances to advance organizational interests and competencies.
• Ability to conceive, develop and execute new programmes from the initial stages to completion.
• Capability to build on effective interactions and relationships with different stakeholders and ability to build and maintain a strong network.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with respect for diversity.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated knowledge of UNESCO’s mandate, programmes and impact.
• Competency and proficiency in the use of Constituency Relationship Management Tools.

Languages

• Knowledge of another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and/or Spanish).