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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 Safety...
In a context where heightened attention is required for strategic resource mobilization approaches in an increasingly competitive donor environment, there is a need for additional support to the UNICEF Malawi Partnerships Unit.
The assignment entails specialized and in-depth tasks, including donor scoping, analysis of funding priorities, and support for the development of a Resource Mobilization Strategy, all of which require sustained focus and technical expertise. Existing staff within the Partnerships and CAP Section are currently managing multiple competing operational and programmatic priorities, limiting their capacity to dedicate the required time and attention to this work. The consultant will therefore provide dedicated support to ensure timely delivery of high-quality outputs, including resource mobilization analyses, donor reporting, and quality assurance of reports, while enabling continuity of core section functions.
How can you make a difference?
- Conduct a scoping and analysis of donor priorities, funding trends, and partnership opportunities
relevant to UNICEF’s strategic priorities.
- Map and assess potential funding opportunities, donor interests, and emerging financing mechanisms
within the evolving donor landscape.
- Develop foundational inputs and recommendations for the formulation of a Resource Mobilization (RM)
Strategy.
- Support the development and strengthening of resource mobilization approaches, including proposal
development, and partnership positioning materials.
- Provide technical support in drafting, reviewing, editing, and quality assuring donor reports, proposals,
briefs, and other partnership/resource mobilization documents.
- Ensure donor reports and related documentation meet quality standards, donor requirements, and
organizational guidelines.
- Provide interim reporting support and coordination in the absence of the Reporting Officer, including
follow-up on inputs and consolidation of reports.
- Prepare summary briefs, analytical notes, and recommendations to support strategic decision-making
on partnerships and resource mobilization.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Academic qualification:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, Economics,
Business Administration, Public Policy, Communications, or a related field is required.
- A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field combined with additional qualifying
experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
- Professional training or certification in resource mobilization, fundraising, project management, or
monitoring and evaluation is an asset.
Work experience:
- Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in resource mobilization, donor
relations, partnership management, or international development is required.
- Proven experience in donor mapping, funding analysis, and development of resource mobilization or
partnership strategies is required.
- Demonstrated experience in writing, reviewing, and quality assuring donor reports, proposals, and
strategic documents is required.
- Experience working with UN agencies, international NGOs, or large development organizations is highly
desirable.
- Experience supporting multi-donor reporting processes and managing competing priorities in a fastpaced
environment is an asset.
- Experience in interim or standalone reporting coordination roles is an asset.
Technical skills, knowledge and strength areas:
- Strong knowledge of international donor landscape, funding mechanisms, and resource mobilization
strategies is required.
- A thorough understanding of the Malawian / eastern and southern African funding and social political
context is required.
- Excellent analytical skills with ability to synthesize donor trends and translate them into actionable
strategies is required.
- Strong proposal writing, report writing, and editing skills with high attention to detail is required.
- Proven ability to ensure quality assurance and compliance with donor reporting requirements is
required.
- Strong understanding of partnership development and stakeholder engagement approaches is
required.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver under tight deadlines is
required.
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and data management tools is required.
- Experience with CRM systems or donor tracking tools is an asset.
- Familiarity with UNICEF or UN systems, policies, and reporting frameworks is an asset.
Languages:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English are required.
Please refer to the attached full Terms of Reference 
Terms of Reference Resource mobilization Specialist Consultant .pdf for more details on the consultancy and requirements.
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 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.
HOW TO APPLY...
Interested consultants should provide the following:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Brief technical proposal (no longer than five pages) demonstrating the consultant’s understanding of the assignment and approach/methodology to the assignment
- Financial proposal including a breakdown of your daily ‘professional fee’ and daily ‘field work fee’ (variable by district). ANNEX I - Financial Proposal.xlsx Complete the attached form.
- References details from at least 3 most recent supervisors, including a current supervisor, who can affirm and validate relevant engineering experience.
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.
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.