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

The Private Sector Fundraising and Partnerships (PSFP) section within the Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division (PFP) plays a key role in the organisation, working with National Committees and UNICEF Country and Regional Offices to maximise financial and non-financial support for children.

The Partnerships Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the front office of the Deputy Director, PSFP (DD PSFP), on areas of work directly related to partnerships and collaboration with National Committees and PSFP Country Offices. The post holder will report directly to the Deputy Director, PSFP.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Deputy Director, PSFP and working closely with the Fundraising Business Manager, the Partnerships Specialist provides strategic and operational support to advance UNICEF’s private sector fundraising and partnership priorities. The role supports the stewardship and growth of high-value partnerships, strengthens collaboration across National Committees, Country Offices and global teams, and helps drive key initiatives that improve ways of working, deepen partner engagement and maximise results for children.

1. Support the implementation of key initiatives within the DD PSFP’s remit. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Provide coordination and implementation support for the annual work planning and budgeting process, ensuring the section prioritises growth in a resource-constrained environment.
• Facilitate engagement with the community of Fundraising Directors as a vital thought leadership forum to build more seamless collaboration within the entire ecosystem.
• Provide project management support for key initiatives, as they relate to the PSFP section.

2. Drive forward the integration of High Value channels (Corporate, Foundations, Faith and Membership Organisations, and Global Philanthropy).

• Act as secretariat for regular High Value Chiefs meetings, ensuring joint work is carried out and key areas for integration are taken forward.
• Lead convening moments to bring the units together and embed strategic collaboration.
• Identify and test collaborations on specific partnerships that span channels.

3. Support the retention and uplift UNICEF’s most significant private sector partnerships, acting as surge capacity during key moments.

• Act as relationship manager/focal point on specific partnerships where needed.
• Work in an agile way with colleagues across PFP and PG to support the development of proposals, advance partnership discussions and secure vital funding for high-priority partnerships.
• Drive improvements in ways of working with key National Committees/COs/ROs/COEs, based on partner insights and in line with the 5Is strategy. 
• Lead convening moments at key events throughout the year designed to deepen partner commitment to UNICEF, as needed.

4. Additional support on initiatives or projects as needed.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Partnerships Specialist TA P-3

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in business administration, social sciences, international relations, public administration, government, international development 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.
• Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional work experience in partnership management and front office support is required. Direct experience supporting a senior leader in a front office setting is required. Direct experience in cultivating, soliciting and stewarding six- to seven-figure private sector partnerships is required. Direct project management experience is required. 
• Skills: Knowledge of the principles and practices of high-value fundraising, as well as an understanding of international development and private sector campaign-based fundraising, is required.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Experience in developing outstanding supporter experiences is an asset.
• Experience working in international organisations and on cross-divisional or cross-functional teams is an asset.
• UN/UNICEF or National Committee experience is an asset.
• 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, discrimination, fraud, corruption and other forms of serious misconduct.UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference, safeguarding and background verification checks. These checks may include verification of academic credentials and employment history, screening against relevant United Nations misconduct databases, and requests for misconduct disclosures from current and former employers, professional associations, other relevant organizations and participating organizations under inter-agency safeguarding initiatives, including the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), where applicable.Appointment, selection and continued engagement are subject to the satisfactory completion of all required checks. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information and consent to enable UNICEF to undertake these 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, 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 are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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 candidates 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.

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.