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, results.

The Fund Raising Officer (NOB) will be in charge of the Fundraising strategies, with the objective to maximize the income and number of active donors giving to UNICEF in Bulgaria by developing donor acquisition strategies, as well as value maximization and retention strategies, such as upgrade and legacies.

How can you make a difference?

The position is the head of the private sector fundraising team in the country office and is responsible for leading all UNICEF fundraising from the private sector and supporting broader engagement with business and key influencers in the private sector.

Under the general guidance of the Representative, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting in the areas of private sector fundraising and strengthening operational systems and mechanisms that will enhance UNICEF’s strategic private sector fundraising.

Key responsibilities:

1. Proposes strategies and plans for corporate engagements and fundraising from private sector, responsible for planning and budgeting for the PSFR team in line with UNICEF rules, regulations and programme objectives as set in CPAP and RWPs. Identifies capacity gaps and proposes improvements, recruits and supervises technical support/consultants, as necessary, for the fundraising and corporate engagement activities.

2. Help manage the long-term strategic planning, development and implementation of individual and corporate fundraising activities within the country in order to optimise fundraising and revenue potential, with a key focus on optimising and developing pledge acquisition channels and improving pledge retention and life time value (LTV).

3. Support in Initiating the development and regular updating of the Private Sector Plans, Resource Mobilization Strategy and annual work plans and budgets for private sector fundraising. Monitors and facilitates the implementation of fundraising strategies, work-plans and donor reporting and analysis to achieve targets.

4. Initiate strategic planning and management of the investment funds throughout the planned period. Works closely with PFP in order to apply organisation’s priorities, develop strategies and set appropriate targets. Ensures Investment fund applications are made and implementation is used according to strategic plan and all processes followed.

5. Help manage, develop and oversee internal and external suppliers and partners (agencies, suppliers’ banks etc.) independently to ensure that processes are streamlined, effective and assisting the overall aim to grow income.

6. Maintain intelligence on latest developments in the market, including successful techniques being used by commercial and non-profit organisations to acquire customers /donors and maximize LTV, and the plans and activities of competitors.

7. Ensure that global PFP fundraising policies and guidelines are adhered to and implemented, provide proper management of the team to ensure “back-end” and operational areas of work are able to keep up with the new initiatives and plans.

8. Provide regular reports and evaluations on targets and KPIs as per PFP reporting calendar.

9. Provide leadership and oversight to a team of consultants and contractors that support UNICEF’s private sector fundraising in the country with a special focus on leading the Individual Giving Fundraising.

10. Help review and evaluate staff performance in the fundraising team, through robust and timely monitoring and to recommend changes and adjustments to plans as needed.

11. Keep up to date with UNICEF private sector donor guidelines and best practices to ensure these are utilized where relevant in private sector fundraising.

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

The following minimum requirements:

•  Education: A university degree in any of the following fields is required: Business Administration, Marketing, Fundraising or a related field. Additional professional qualifications in fundraising and/or marketing and/or communications would be an asset.

*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.

•  Work Experience: A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in managing a fundraising programme together with proven track record in driving income growth; equivalent direct marketing experience in a commercial context will be considered as qualifying experience.

•  Skills

• Proven ability to contribute to effective long-term strategic fundraising plans.
• Proven ability to implement clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and seize new fundraising opportunities, formulating new fundraising strategies and models.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to unexpected challenges and proposing countermeasures accordingly.
• Diplomatic negotiation, influencing and networking skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent communications skills, verbal and written.

•  Language Requirements: Fluency in Bulgarian and English is required.

The following desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
•  Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.

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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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 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 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates are encouraged to apply.

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.