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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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a Future

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.

The Public Partnerships Division (PPD) leads UNICEF to secure quality public sector income for all children, promotes international development and humanitarian resources for child focused outcomes, and facilitates UNICEF’s intergovernmental and interagency engagement to champion child rights. The Division does this through its core functions of income, influence, insights and stewardship by: maintaining and expanding flexible resources for children from a diverse range of key international development and humanitarian partners; leading UNICEF’s engagement with public sector partners globally; providing strategic insights and analytics on public partnerships; undertaking evidence-based influence & engagement with public sector partners to raise income and to champion child rights; providing global strategic direction, guidance and oversight of the public partnerships function.

How can you make a difference?

The Public Partnership Specialist is accountable for income generation and day-to-day engagement with the Government of the Republic of Korea. This requires a strong knowledge of:  

• resource mobilization and fundraising business models 
• knowledge of the Korean Government’s key ODA policies, guidelines, legislation and strategies
• knowledge of the UNICEF financial rules and regulations  
• reporting and compliance
• communications and advocacy

The UNICEF Seoul Liaison Office within UNICEF’s Public Partnerships Division (PPD) reports to the Director, Asia-Pacific Pillar, PPD. The office consists of a Head of Office, Public Partnership Specialist, Communication and Advocacy Specialist, Partnership Associate, and an Administrative Assistant.

Under the supervision and direction of the Head of Office in Seoul, the incumbent will be responsible for helping to drive UNICEF’s partnership with the Government of the Republic of Korea, with a focus on resource mobilization and ODA advocacy. This involves close working relations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, KOICA (the development agency), and other Ministries with potential for partnerships (e.g. Education, Environment).  In addition, the role will involve supporting engagement with the Ministry of Unification (to support UNICEF’s work in North Korea), outreach to academia and parliamentarians who can help with ODA advocacy, and promotion of UNICEF’s work among influential development actors and decision-makers.  Further, the incumbent will oversee the strategic relationship between the office and the Korean Committee for UNICEF.

The Public Partnership Specialist will work closely with the Communication and Advocacy Specialist, assuming increasing responsibility for the office’s communication and advocacy portfolio.  In addition, the incumbent will lead the team’s advisory support services to UNICEF country and regional offices engaging with the Government of the Republic of Korea and guide the contribution management functions of the office.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Income

• Contribute to developing, implementing and monitoring resource mobilization strategies, plans, reports for assigned partners, including all aspects of partnership management, contribution management, recognition and visibility
• Contribute to risk management, including due diligence and compliance with assigned partner requirements
• Lead in review and clearance of resource partner agreements and no-cost extensions
• Contribute to senior management's interactions with partners
• Contribute to the day-to-day management of contacts with resource partners
• Contribute to providing strategic and technical support to senior management  

Insight

• Contribute to monitoring, analysis and reporting on trends in Korea’s development cooperation, partner policies, strategies, programmes, and budgets and their implications for children
• Contribute to provision of political analysis and advice by identifying political developments in Korea, assessing implications and making recommendations to senior management
• Maintain strategic interactions with UNICEF Country Offices and Centres of Excellence for enhanced geopolitical intelligence
• Contribute to preparing comprehensive briefs, reports, statistics and other documentation for senior leadership
• Monitor and report on discussions with partners
• Review and analyse key documents
• Develop and maintain deep knowledge and familiarity with Korean partners, contributing to a database of key contacts and knowledge of Korean partnerships
• Collect and disseminate partner intelligence and mapping on a continuous basis to guide resource mobilization efforts in Korea  

Influence, Advocacy and Communications

• Contribute to developing, implementing and monitoring influence, engagement and advocacy strategies and plans with assigned public partners and advise senior management on the same
• Contribute to informing and influencing the Government of the Republic of Korea’s support of UNICEF as a partner of choice for income and influence
• Contribute to developing and facilitating knowledge, familiarity and contact with the Government of the Republic of Korea and relevant stakeholders in Seoul, New York, and programme country capitals
• Arrange and attend relevant meetings with assigned partners
• Contribute to coordinating with other parts of UNICEF on relevant discussions and issues as they relate to assigned partners
• Negotiate, plan and coordinate events as a platform for UNICEF's engagement on strategic issues for children with the Government of the Republic of Korea, academia and parliamentarians
• Support the Head of Office and collaborate with the Advocacy and Communication Specialist in developing and maintaining a robust Advocacy and Communication strategy for the office
• Guide the office’s ODA advocacy portfolio, in close collaboration with the Korean Committee for UNICEF
• Contribute to development and implementation of a donor visibility and recognition plan, which includes production of communication materials, which address this #1 priority for the Government of the Republic of Korea.

Stewardship  

• Contribute to developing policy papers and guidelines to enhance UNICEF’s partnership with the Government of the Republic of Korea.
• Guide and support Regional and Country Offices on opportunities for partnerships and resource mobilization with the Government of the Republic of Korea.
• Contribute to the development, dissemination and exchange of knowledge products within and outside of UNICEF related to the organization’s engagement with the Government of the Republic of Korea.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Classified Job Description - Public Partnerships Specialist, P3, Seoul, Post #134163.pdf

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

Minimum requirements

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Public Administration, Business Administration, International Business Relations, International Development, Social Sciences, International Finance and any other related fields. A Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in a relevant area combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. This is applicable to internal (FT, Continuing and Permanent) staff only.
• Work Experience: 5 years of relevant work experience in Partnerships, Monitoring and Evaluation, social development, management and any other related fields.
• Skills: • Strong knowledge of partnership development and resource mobilization • Strong networking and stakeholder management capabilities • Ability to drive strategic initiatives • Strong communication skills • Comprehensive understanding of the Government of the Republic of Korea’s key ODA policies, guidelines, legislation and strategies
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Good command, fluency and working of local language (Korean) is highly desirable.

Desirables

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Ability to lead teams effectively.
• Demonstrated commitment to the core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.  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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.