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.

Generation Unlimited (GenU) is a global multi-sector partnership initiated by UNICEF to meet the urgent need for expanded education, training, and employment opportunities for young people ages 10-24 on an unprecedented scale. In Africa, with its rapidly growing youth population, this initiative is particularly critical.

For every child, a passion……

The Partnership Specialist will play a pivotal role in shaping and implementing the GenU strategy across the continent, ensuring it aligns with the broader UNICEF Africa strategy.

How can you make a difference?

Strategic Planning:

Finalize the 5-year GenU Africa strategy in alignment with the overall UNICEF Africa strategy.

• Conduct a comprehensive review of existing strategies and data related to youth development in Africa.
• Engage with key stakeholders to gather input and insights for the strategy development process.
• Lead the drafting, revision, and finalization of the GenU Africa strategy document.
• Ensure that the strategy is aligned with UNICEF’s overall goals and priorities for youth development.

Theory of Change Development:

Develop a clear and actionable theory of change for the GenU Africa strategy.

Duties and Tasks:

• Conduct research and analysis to identify root causes of challenges facing youth in Africa.
• Develop a theory of change framework that outlines the logic model, assumptions, and pathways to achieve desired outcomes.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to validate and refine the theory of change.
• Ensure that the theory of change is realistic, evidence-based, and adaptable to changing circumstances.

Operational Model and Plan:

Design an operational model and detailed plan for the implementation of the Africa strategy.

• Define the roles and responsibilities of key partners and stakeholders in implementing the GenU Africa strategy.
• Develop a detailed implementation plan with clear timelines, milestones, and key performance indicators.
• Identify potential risks and challenges to successful implementation and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure alignment between the operational model and the overall strategic goals of GenU Africa.

Funding and Financing Model:

Develop a comprehensive funding and financing model to support the implementation of the GenU Africa strategy.

• Conduct a thorough analysis of potential funding sources, including government grants, private sector partnerships, and donor contributions.
• Design a diversified funding model that reduces dependency on any single funding source.
• Develop proposals, budgets, and financial forecasts to support the implementation of the strategy.
• Explore innovative financing mechanisms, such as impact investing or social impact bonds, to leverage additional resources.

Partnership Engagement:

Strengthen existing partnerships and forge new ones to support the implementation of the GenU Africa strategy.

• Identify key stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, youth organizations, and private sector partners.
• Develop partnership agreements and MOUs outlining roles, responsibilities, and expected contributions.
• Coordinate regular meetings and communication with partners to ensure alignment and collaboration.
• Monitor and evaluate partnership performance and impact, adjusting strategies as necessary to optimize outcomes.

High-Level Launch Planning:

Organize the launch of the GenU Africa strategy in collaboration with the African Union and other stakeholders.

• Develop a detailed event plan, including logistics, agenda, and guest list for the launch event.
• Coordinate with the African Union, government officials, and other partners to secure high-level participation.

Prepare briefing materials, speeches, and presentations for the launch event.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Fundraising, Management or another relevant technical field is required.
• *A first University Degree 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 (5) years of professional experience at the national and/or international levels related to public and/or private sector fundraising is required, with progressively increasing responsibilities, including direct responsibility for setting and meeting income targets.is required.

Expected Technical Competencies include:

• Strategic planning: ability to contribute to the development and finalization of comprehensive long-term strategies. Experience in conducting strategic analysis, engaging with stakeholders and provide information data.
• Partnership engagement: building and maintaining partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, understanding of partnership agreements, fostering collaboration and managing relations for shared goals and maximize impact.
• Prior experience in partnership management, including UN agencies, bilateral donors, foundations and civil society is an asset.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, French or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability (CRITA), and sustainability

Please click Here to view UNICEF’s core values and Here to view our competency framework.

UNICEF competencies required for this post are.

• 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)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

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 including 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, 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).

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.

“UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/”

For more information on remuneration and benefits, please visit UNICEF’s Entitlements’ page.  If you would like to find estimates for entitlements, you may use the online Salary Estimate Calculator

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