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, a champion

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated.

There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Purpose for the Job:

The position supervises the private sector fundraising and partnership (PFP) team as well as the communication team in the country office. It is responsible for leading all UNICEF fundraising from the private sector, and supporting broader engagement with business and key influencers in the private sector, as well as for developing, managing and monitoring an advocacy and communication strategy and associated products and activities on on-going basis with public audiences.

Under the general guidance of the Representative, the position will be responsible for the overall coordination, planning, development and realization of the country office’s private sector engagement and communication strategies, in line with UNICEF’s global strategies. The incumbent will oversee and coordinate various fundraising channels and activities, ensure long-term partnerships with the private sector and the media. The objectives are to drive revenue growth and to promote awareness and support for children’s rights and UNICEF’s priorities for both the Country Office and the Organisation globally.

The post is based in Panama City, Panama. It reports directly to the Representative.

How can you make a difference?

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Leading and managing the PFP and Communication Team

• Provides leadership and supervision to the PFP and Communication team for all activities related to engagement with the private sector and communication. Represents the Section in the Country Management Team.
• Establishes clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provides timely guidance to enable the team to achieve their goals.
• Identifies training opportunities to meet staff development needs and the Section’s objectives.

Developing the Private Sector Plan and the Communication Strategy for the country office and ensuring achievement of goals

• In close consultation with the Country Management Team and the relevant sections in LACRO, and informed by clear analysis of the external environment, develops a comprehensive private sector strategy and communication strategy targeting the audiences with strongest potential. Ensures that they complement each other and identify synergies whenever relevant.
• Provides guidance and direction for analysis, planning, implementation and management on all fundraising channels as well as partnerships, with emphasis on achieving flexible and unrestricted resources.

• Ensure that the CO has a strong engagement with decision-makers and journalists in traditional and social media to communicate regularly on children’s rights and UNICEF’s priorities in the country.

• Stays abreast of key developments in the external environment as they affect private sector engagement and communication, and continuously seeks new growth opportunities, and acts upon these with the team.
• Engages with PFP and ACD at Headquarters and relevant sections in LACRO to coordinate access to appropriate investment funds and accurate and timely reporting on subsequent results.
• Develops with the team a coherent annual workplan and budget covering each component of the strategies, monitors work progress and ensures results are achieved on time and to required performance standards; ensures effective management of financial and human resources, in compliance within UNICEF financial rules and regulations.
• Builds support for PFP and Communication goals from other teams within the country office through building effective collaborative relationships accordingly – notably with HR (to optimize fundraising talent in the office), Operations (operational support for activities) and Programmes (strong articulation of programmes for donors, the media and partners, and compelling reporting).
• Assesses and mitigates risk related to the private sector and communication work, making informed decisions on the overall engagement with the private sector and the media.
• Ensures effective sharing of fundraising and communication learning and materials regionally and internationally, through conferences, workshops and online channels.

Establishing and managing meaningful partnerships with the private sector and the media

• Takes an active role in identifying, approaching and negotiating relationships with key influencers, media and business. Assures effective concepts for engagement with partners are developed with the programme team.
• Represents UNICEF in meetings with key partners to advocate and promote UNICEF programme goals and objectives; portrays a strong UNICEF brand through effectively communicating the UNICEF stories and messages.
• Develops existing and new relationships with external suppliers to optimize the provision of fundraising and communication services.

Skills Needed?

• Proven ability to contribute to effective long-term strategic fundraising and/or communication plans.
• Proven ability to implement clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and seize new opportunities, formulating new 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.

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

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in one of the following fields is required: Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Fundraising, Management or another relevant technical field.
  
  
• Alternatively, a first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in private sector fundraising and/or communication is required, with progressively increasing responsibilities, including direct responsibility for setting and meeting income targets.
• Experience in, and knowledge of, the country or regional context is an asset.
  
  
• Relevant marketing experience will be considered as contributing to this work experience.
  
  
• Familiarity with the private and/or communication sector.
  
  
• International fundraising and/or communication experience is an asset.
  
  
• Previous managerial experience is essential.

 Language Proficiency

• Fluency in Spanish and working knowledge of English are required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian) or a local language 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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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. 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.

*Remarks*

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

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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). 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.