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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, a chance to grow up safe, healthy and educated.

UNICEF South Africa

We are committed to realising the rights of all children to help them build a strong foundation and have the best chance of fulfilling their potential. We believe that ensuring a child is happy and healthy begins before birth: from ensuring their mother has access to good health care to reaching adulthood as a healthy, empowered and informed young person of the next generation. This journey relies on every child having access to quality health care, good nutrition, education, and growing up in a safe environment free from violence.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the overall direction of the Chief Advocacy and Communication, the Partnerships Specialist will be responsible for the development, planning, and guidance of private sector fundraising, leveraging and partnership strategies and activities within the South Africa Country Office (SACO), and serves as private sector fundraising, leveraging, non-financial support, and partnerships specialist for SACO.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Leads, with the relevant SACO staff, the development of fundraising, leveraging, in-kind and non-financial partnership priorities, goals and strategies (especially during the Country Programme planning process and during the annual SACO planning process), in close consultation with the Chief Communications & Partnerships and in collaboration with other PFP and/or ESARO staff as appropriate. Develops close relationships and networks through personal visits and contacts to arrive at formulation of specific strategic approaches.

2. Initiates, guides and provides technical advice to SACO senior management for their fundraising, leveraging, non-financial support and partnership work planning, and development of programmes in line with PFP’s global strategy.

3. Plans, manages and creates relationships with corporate partners in South Africa in order to set up shared valued partnerships, leveraging and/or non-financial (e.g. In-kind or CRBPs) partnerships.

4. Liaises with CEOs and Senior CSI Managers and manages the UNICEF South Africa CEO Network.

5. Liaises with UNICEF National Committees to explore fundraising opportunities from other markets.

6. Acts as the executive focal point for fundraising for SACO, advising the Chief of Advocacy and Communications, senior management, PFP staff and others on any fundraising, leveraging and non-financial related matters concerning his or her markets.

7. Identifies individual SACO needs and opportunities for specialized support, market research and development of new fundraising, leveraging and non-financial offers, provides opportunities for sharing of experience and learning between Country Offices and works with HQ-based Fundraising colleagues in all these aspects.

8. Acts as champion within the SACO Communication & Partnerships team for specialized fundraising areas or techniques, such as Corporate Pathways to Pledge, Shared-Value partnerships, Children’s Rights and Business Principles, etc., in order to consolidate and drive organizational learning and development in that specific field.

9. Manages the Partnerships Officer (NOA) and the Individual Giving Fundraising Associate (GS7)

10. Contributes to preparation and content of meetings such as the Private Sector Forum, Global Skillshare workshop, specialist workshops and others. Runs sessions in these meetings as required.

11. Prepares and monitors financial information for SACO budget preparation and updates.

12. Draft UNICEF SACO Partnerships Strategy 2026-2030.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: An advanced university degree (equivalent to a Master’s) from an accredited institution is required in international development, public affairs, international relations, political science Economics, Marketing, Communication, Commercial Management, Business Administration or related fields.

Training in fundraising, brand management and/or direct marketing required. NGO Management an asset. Knowledge of Children’s Rights and Business is an asset.

Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in all areas of fundraising, including a minimum of two years in international fundraising. Special emphasis is put on strategic planning, direct marketing, relationship management and corporate fundraising. Experience in working with several countries at the same time would be relevant.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience.
• Language: Fluency in English, both strong verbal and written skills, is essential.

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) for a supervisory role

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 is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. 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 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.