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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, Partnerships ...

The Public Sector Engagement Hub within PPD advances the cause of all children, adolescents and youth and promotes UNICEF resource mobilization and leveraging among public sector partners. UNICEF’s public sector partners include governments, international financial institutions, global programme partnerships and intergovernmental organizations.

Based in New York and in close coordination with country and regional offices, National Committees, HQ Divisions, Division of Global Communication and Advocacy (DGCA) and Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP) Division, the hub leads strategic public sector engagement in key UN and other intergovernmental processes and forums.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Adviser/Team Lead, Public Sector Engagement Hub, the Partnerships Specialist will support the Unit in the following areas of work: 1) Provide professional support in the area of intergovernmental engagement as it pertains support the coordination of UNICEF's engagement in selected key intergovernmental fora (especially ECOSOC/HLPF, G20, SIDS, LLDC, UNGA, and others, as they are determined to be a priority for UNICEF) ; 2) Support political advocacy efforts with the Group of Friends (GoF) of Children & the SDGs, including how the group advocates and champions child rights and the implementation of the SDGs; 3) Support political advocacy efforts in relation to public sector engagement priorities and other strategic intergovernmental forums; 4)  Support the team in monitoring changes and trends in social and political dynamics, and upcoming major global events.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Support the coordination of UNICEF's engagement in selected key intergovernmental fora (e.g., ECOSOC/HLPF, SDGs, G20, UNGA, and others, as they are determined to be a priority for UNICEF) Tasks include, but are not limited to:
   • Successful participation of UNICEF's senior management in these processes
   • Provide technical input and coordinate information exchange from both internal and external partners, as needed
   • Engage with Permanent Missions, as needed, during the negotiation of resolutions and other outcome documents.
2. Support Team Lead’s engagement with the Group of Friends of Children and the SDGs (GOFs) in the following key areas:
   • Partnership development with the co-chairs of the GOF and ensure that communication between UNICEF (as the technical secretariat) and the Group is fluid and constructive.
   • Leveraging the GOF co-chairs on UNICEF’s key messages/asks, as well as with the broader Group members with support of PPD portfolio managers, COs and ROs, as needed.
   • Preparation of talking points, NFRs, briefing notes and other documentation to support the advocacy objectives of the Group and OED/Senior Management’s participation in meetings of the Group.
3. Participate in the preparation of UNICEF's inputs to key documents, resolutions, and outcomes, and analyze statements made by government delegations, for information-sharing, as relevant.
4. In collaboration with other divisions, develop content and key advocacy messages, as needed.
5. Help identify opportunities to engage with partner(s) on advocacy objectives, including through OED level engagement with partner(s) government(s).
6. Support the SDG and Summit for the Future Summit follow up engagement with public partners. In collaboration with relevant colleagues, advocate for the inclusion of key messages related to the implementation of the SDGs, and child and youth participation in the discussions, various documents and outcomes – including child-led and child-focused VNRs.
7. Support youth advocate engagement across various intergovernmental fora including coordination with the CFAs, UNYO, and other relevant partners.
8. Analyze information, draft briefing notes and/or communications material for the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Directors, PPD Director and other senior staff for their participation in relevant intergovernmental/advocacy meetings.
9. Perform other tasks as it may be required, in discussion with the supervisor.

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

• Advanced university degree in social and economic or political sciences or international relations.
• Specialized training in international relations would be an asset.
• Five years relevant work experience; experience with UNICEF, a permanent mission to the UN and/or other UN entities would be an asset.
• Excellent writing, analytic, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills. Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas as well as to transfer knowledge and skills.
• Excellent organizational ability. Team building.
• Excellent writing skills and ability to prepare strategic papers. Responsibilities require a high degree of independence given the external contacts involved. Incumbent is expected to perform with full initiative, judgement and responsibility, reporting to supervisor on ongoing activities and progress, and seeking guidance as required to ensure achievement of objectives.
• Fluency in English required. Other UN official language skills are 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…

(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 

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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.

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.

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.