Partnerships Specialist, P-3, TA (364 days), # 121990, MSP, PSFP, PFP, Geneva, Switzerland

Job content

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

This position sits within the Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships & Advocacy (MSPA) team within PFP, which leads on UNICEF’s engagement with the private sector and public-private initiatives and platforms that are actively shaping business agendas, priorities, and investments, and leads Advocacy with Business strategies on high-value partnership priorities.

Under the guidance of the Manager, Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Advocacy, the incumbent supports development of advocacy with business strategies on key high-value partnership priorities, such as health systems strengthening, water security and access, climate change, mental health, and education. As part of this role, the incumbent is also responsible for developing, coordinating and managing strategies and relationships with key multi-stakeholder platforms and initiatives involving business for accelerating UNICEF’s partnership, advocacy, and programmatic objectives with the private sector.

How can you make a difference?

• Advocacy: Develops advocacy opportunities and strategies to engage the private sector in priority partnership and advocacy thematic areas. This involves the development of relevant narratives, business cases, and advocacy objectives/key asks linked to partnerships, financial/resourcing, B2B and public advocacy, government advocacy, and corporate responsibility in thematic areas. This also involves identifying champions for advocacy agendas and promoting at key events and milestones.
• Partnership building, networking, and engagement: Identifies and maximizes opportunities for UNICEF engagement in select multi-stakeholder platforms and initiatives involving the private sector, including public-private partnerships. Manages UNICEF’s engagement in these initiatives to advance UNICEF’s advocacy, programmatic, and partnership goals. Builds and strengthens strategic partnerships to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to advance children’s rights, leveraging the value of UNICEF partnerships and collaboration, while preserving the organization’s credibility and reputation.
• Planning and coordination: Coordinates within PFP, across divisions, RO/COs, National Committees, and external organizations on UNICEF’s engagement in key global platforms related to the private sector. Plans to organize and support the engagement of UNICEF senior leadership and/or private sector partners in key initiatives. Coordinates the preparation of briefing notes, talking points, key messages, and other information materials as needed.
• Communications: Supports the development of key messages related to advocacy strategies and engagement with multi-stakeholder platforms and initiatives vis-a-vis internal and external audiences. Provides inputs and develops content/articles for internal and external audiences. Works with partnerships colleagues across the organization, to develop strategies and messages for priority UNICEF partners and National Committees.
  Deliverables
  
  • Support the execution of activities outlined in the strategy and work plan of the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Well-being in close coordination with responsible focal points in key divisions and UNICEF National Committees. (Quarterly meetings with Coalition members)
  • Lead the development and execution of advocacy with business activities as outlined in the Global Coalition for youth Mental well bring strategy and work plan. (Public-private declaration, a learning session on workplace mental health, secure opportunities to promote in private sector events).
  • Facilitate UNICEF engagement in key events (e.g., engagement of UNICEF regional offices in events of global or regional platforms).
  • Develop advocacy with business strategy for high-value partnership areas, such as health systems strengthening
  • Support advocacy and partnership activities on water security and access in the lead-up to the 2023 UN Water Summit
    
  Estimated Duration of the contract
  
  • 364 Days
    
  Reporting To
  
  • Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Advocacy, Manager PFP
    
  Working Place
  
  • Geneva, Switzerland, is the official duty station. (Flexible work arrangements may be applied if there is a need.)
    
  To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
  
  Education
  
  • An advanced university degree in international development, international relations, social sciences, business or public administration, marketing, communication/external relations, or related field.
  • Alternatively, a first-level university degree in combination with two years’ additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
    
  Experience
  
  • At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in partnership development, private sector engagement, relationship management-related activities, and advocacy with businesses on children’s rights and development.
  • Experience in UNICEF programmes and track record in effectively working with different stakeholders and working on complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships involving the private sector, whether within the UN, Government, NGOs or the private sector, would be an asset.
  • Training or experience in partnership management is an asset.
  • Knowledge of the UN system is an advantage.
    
  Language Requirements
  
  • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
    
  For every Child, you demonstrate...
  
  UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues
  
  The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...
  
  • Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
  • Works Collaboratively with others (1)
  • Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
  • Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
  • Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
  • Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
  • Manages ambiguity and complexity (1) are required.
    
  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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
  
  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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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 PFP-Geneva is currently reviewing organizational changes; therefore, the exact future location of the post is still under consideration/to be determined. Candidates may be asked to commence duties remotely. Should the selected candidate be assigned and relocate to Geneva, they may later be asked to relocate and be assigned to another location during the initial contract or assignment period.
  
  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.
  
  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.