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 Champion
UNICEF has set out ambitious goals for its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Division of Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP), based in Geneva, aims to achieve results for children by maximizing UNICEF's private sector fundraising, partnerships, and engagement activities, including work with National Committees, regional and country offices, and other HQ Divisions.
The Innovative Finance for Children (IF4C) Unit in the Division of Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP) enables, drives, and accelerates innovative alternative financing and funding solutions for children in partnership with the Private Sector through initiatives that attract investments for climate change, environment, and disaster risk reduction.
How can you make a difference?
Under the guidance of the Innovation Manager (IF4C), the Innovation Officer (Innovative Finance) will provide support to the PFP IF4C Team and the Principal Adviser. The role will be responsible for project coordination, planning, research, and analysis as well as marketing and communications, administration, and budget monitoring.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Planning, coordination, and governance
- Manage and streamline information for the IF4C Principal Adviser and the PFP IF4C Chief by identifying and prioritizing urgent matters, proposing actions, summarizing key points and ensuring timely follow-up.
- Coordinate and manage the IFC meetings and streamline the overall process and framework.
- Support the preparation of agendas, presentations, briefing notes, and any other material as needed.
- Ensure that the IF4C Principal Adviser and the PFP IF4C Chief are prepared for meetings and missions by drafting talking points, researching relevant information; and establishing contacts/ meetings on the subject matters to be discussed.
- Support the Innovative Financing Committee governance, including coordination of periodic meetings, briefing material, post meeting reporting and follow ups.
- Develop and maintain a monitoring system to store, retrieve and track critical correspondence, decisions, memoranda, and other documents of the office.
- Provides travel assistance to staff in the section for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organization’s rules and policies. Liaises with relevant travel focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel.
- Act as a budget focal point for IF4C and monitor budgets and financial expenditures of the unit.
- Support the unit’s planning and budget related requirements.
- Work with project lead(s) to ensure efficient coordination and communication between all stakeholders. Attend relevant project meetings, acting as rapporteur when necessary.
2. Partnerships and fundraising
- Conduct research on potential opportunities across the UNICEF innovative finance ecosystem.
- Support resource mobilization efforts for PFP IF4C projects and initiatives.
- Support the creation of internal and donor facing marketing material.
- Support creation of internal and external communication assets in coordination with the PFP Communications team and the Innovation Officer.
3. Support to events, meetings, and conferences
- Prepare, distribute, and maintain event calendars ensuring key organizational and partner events, priorities and deadlines are reflected and updated as required.
- Contribute to preparations of logistics for events involving senior management participation. By participating in such meetings, follow up on the implementation of recommendations and actions.
- Coordinate preparation of background documents, briefing and post event materials for these meetings.
Deliverables:
- Support the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) conference and related key moments.
- Streamline IF4C coordination, governance, toolkit, and processes.
- Risk/Budget/Planning focal point for the PFP IF4C team.
- Creation of internal/external material on key IF4C initiatives.
- Management of all PFP IF4C periodic meetings.
- Monthly budget update reports.
- 2025 Annual reporting for PFP IF4C.
Estimated duration of the contract:
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
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A first-level university degree in one of the following fields is required: communications, social sciences, marketing, public relations, project management, or a relevant field.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible work experience in partnership development, administration, or marketing is required.
- Experience with Excel and other virtual collaboration tools and platforms is required.
- Experience in managing and/or monitoring budgets is an asset.
- Experience in marketing, fundraising, or planning is an asset.
- Experience in management and coordination is an asset.
- Previous experience with the private sector and/or national committees is an asset.
- Experience with UN and/or UNICEF regulations and rules, and administrative procedures is an asset.
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is an asset.
Language Requirements:
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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 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…
- Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
- Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
- Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
- Innovates and embraces change (1)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
- Thinks and acts strategically (1)
- Works collaboratively with others (1)
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
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. 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.
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.