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The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens and addressing inequity, will not only give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but will also lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This 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 and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

And we never give up.

UNICEF Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP) Division is based in Geneva with the remit to serve the global organization, including the network of 33 UNICEF National Committees, with leadership and technical support to achieve our goals of engaging with the Private Sector. This position is in the Programme Coordination Unit that supports both private and public sector colleagues across the organization to leverage game changing partnerships with UNICEF by strategically connecting them to how UNICEF programmes and operates around the world.

For every child, a Champion

This role will lead, on behalf of the Flexible Funding cross-divisional team, the efforts to further streamline and improve the Global Annual Results Report, and other global reports covering thematic funding. The role will also lead the oversight of thematic funding pools content and capacity building for fundraising and reporting.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this job is to support the roll-out of UNICEF’s Flexible funding strategy, in particular the efforts to increase Thematic Funding through strategic positioning of UNICEF’s Thematic Funding Pools, improved reporting, and capacity building at all levels.

1. High-quality results-based Thematic Funding reporting in the context of global reporting

• Contribute to the strategic planning processes for global reports, in particular the Global Annual Results Report, as the focal point for the Flexible Funding cross-divisional team.
• Provide strategic oversight of global thematic reporting and leadership of agreed elements of global reporting involving multiple global / statutory reports.
• Provide technical assistance to test or roll-out already agreed or new approaches to showcase thematic funding results in global reports.
• Review the effectiveness of existing reporting templates for the global, regional, and thematic pools and update as relevant to improve the focus on results and to better meet audience needs.
• Identify and document Stories of Impact of Thematic Funding across all funding pools.
• Ensure close coordination with stakeholders in UNICEF’s Programme Group sections, regional and country office focal points, and private and public sector fundraisers.

2. Comprehensive thematic funding pool content development at global, regional, and country office levels

• Refine the existing (11 investment cases for the global level) and lead the development of new regional and country level thematic funding investment cases with feedback from fundraisers and external audiences.
• Provide hands-on content creation support and customize content for specific audiences (business, philanthropy, bilateral donors, etc.) with support from writers.
• Maintain a knowledge management package of best practice on the thematic funding pools and feedback on global reporting including lessons learned.

3. Technical assistance and capacity building on Thematic Funding across the organization

• Support markets to utilize thematic funding pool content to include thematic funding within a donor’s overall portfolio of giving or to steward existing thematic funding donors.
• Support markets in using global reports to communicate results achieved with Thematic Funding and to engage donors.
• Provide National Committees, regional, and country offices on-demand technical assistance in quality assurance of thematic funding reports.
• Develop and deliver customized standalone or integrated trainings for fundraisers, regional, and country offices, to increase organizational capacity on thematic/flexible funding.

4. Strategic positioning of Thematic Funding in the rollout of UNICEF’s Flexible Funding Strategy

• Contribute to increased visibility of Thematic Funding internally and externally, specifically new pools, such as the pool for financing UNICEF Country Programmes.
• Maintain a high-level overview of Thematic Funding fundraising trends and income and share insights as needed.
• Develop guidance and briefing notes on Thematic Funding to inform external advocacy with partners.
• Coordinate the Flexible Funding cross-divisional team’s work on Thematic Funding including the joint yearly planning exercises and advocacy.
• Contribute to strategic discussions around the Thematic Funding Pools for UNICEF’s next Strategic Plan 2026-2029.
• Collaborate with other members of the Programme Coordination Team as well as with other UNICEF teams in: PFP, PPD, Programme Group, regional and country offices.

DELIVERABLES:

Within the above main tasks, there are key deliverables within the 364 days’ period:

• Deliver high quality results-based Thematic Funding reporting in the context of the Global Annual Results Report.
• Manage the update and development of new thematic funding pool content including global, regional, and country investment cases.
• Provide on-demand technical assistance on Thematic Funding to programme and fundraising teams.
• Develop and deliver trainings for diverse audiences to increase the understanding of UNICEF’s Thematic Funding pools and strengthen organizational capacity to raise thematic/flexible funding.  
• Contribute to the rollout of UNICEF’s Flexible Funding Strategy in collaboration with other PFP teams and stakeholders.

 Estimated Duration of the contract

• 364 days

Reporting To:

• Programme Manager, PFP Geneva, Switzerland

Working Place:

• Geneva, Switzerland is the official duty station. (Flexible work arrangements may be applied if there is a need.)

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Education:

• An Advanced University degree in one of the following fields is required: communications, social sciences, marketing, public relations, business administration, and management, or any other relevant subject.
• A first-level university degree in a relevant field in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in private sector and/or public sector fundraising with demonstrated knowledge of the development sector and programming is required.
• Experience in developing and customizing written and presentational materials for diverse audiences (including the private sector), is required.
• UN /UNICEF experience, at a regional or country office, is an asset.
• Experience with Thematic Funding is an asset.
• Solid understanding of UN/UNICEF programmes and operations, funding types, results-based model, reporting systems, and standards.
• Strong planning/organizing, analytical, strategic thinking, and creative thinking skills.
• Strong communication skills, including engaging and informative public speaking.
• Excellent people skills, and able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

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 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...

• 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 successful candidates may be asked to commence duties remotely, and they may later be asked to relocate and be assigned to the final post-duty station/location in Berlin.

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.