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.  To learn more about UNICEF career and the work in Rwanda, please visit our website https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/RWA/ and UNICEF Careers | UNICEF Careers. 

For every child, Support!

The Rwanda Country Office (RCO) raises approximately USD 12 million annually from public and private donors and increasingly contributes to leveraging funds for the government in social sectors. In an increasingly competitive environment, the RCO needs a full-time professional to maintain its fundraising capacity, diversify its donor base, and maintain good donor relations. The Country Office prepares around 60 donor reports annually and, with the shift of the new Country Programme (CPD 2025-2029) to more upstream work, is likely to have to diversify its donor base. 

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Chief of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) and overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, the incumbent will be accountable for supporting the implementation of the Country Office’s resource mobilization strategy and monitoring of UNICEF’s partnerships and donor reporting. The duties and responsibilities detailed below will be accomplished in coordination with the programme sections, the Budget Officer (NO-B), and the Communications, Advocacy and Partnership (CAP) team. The post is crucial to accomplishing the RCO’s significantly increased volume of work in resource mobilization and donor reporting.

Key functions/accountabilities:

Quality assurance of proposals and follow up of partnership and resource mobilization efforts.

• Contribute and support the development of the Country Office Resource Mobilization Strategy and Action Plan. Conduct preliminary research on potential donors and partnerships, including Natcom, foundations, corporations, and bilateral and multilateral donors, to inform a successful fundraising strategy, plan, and results. Monitor the implementation of the Resource Mobilization Strategy and Action Plan and prepare monitoring and analysis reports.
• Work with relevant programme sections and operations (as required) to prepare high-quality concept notes, funding proposals, and appeals by standardizing formats and contents. This includes setting up initial meetings with potential donors, and gathering information, writing, consolidating, editing concept notes or full-fledged proposals. Review donor agreements and ensure they are in line with global standards. Liaise as required internally with HQ divisions on contribution management related tasks in close collaboration with other colleagues, sections and senior management as required.
• Analyze donor contributions and funding gaps with the support of the Budget Officer. Undertake analysis and preliminary research on the funding landscape and emerging opportunities under the guidance of the supervisor and senior management.
• Maintain a donor proposal database to track fundraising against programme needs.
• Update and maintain the Country Office information in the UNISON – the global resource mobilization database.
• Maintain relationships with the Headquarters Public Partnership Division (PPD) and Private Fundraising Partnership Division (PFP) and Regional Office Fundraising teams for technical guidance.

Quality assurance of donor reports

• Oversee the preparation and timely submission of high-quality donor reports in accordance with UNICEF policies, formats and branding standards.
• Update and maintain information on all the donor reporting requirements. Maintain a coherent system for tracking reports due to donors. Ensure Programme Section Chiefs are updated on these requirements and follow up as required.
• Coordinate inputs from relevant sections in the compilation of narrative and financial inputs for high-quality timely donor reporting. Edit and advise on layout/templates of donor reports, financial reports and communication and visibility materials.
• Upload submitted donor reports to the system as applicable and maintain the office’s electronic archive of them.
• Maintain the templates, checklists and tools of the office related to donor relations up to date.
• Monitor the multisectoral and multi-year Grant utilization rate through the Donor Statement by Activity.
• Ensure the allocation of funds follows proposal information and donor requirements.
• Consolidate rapid situation reports (SitRep) for humanitarian reports during emergencies.
• Maintain and update the database/files of donors, partnership agreements, and project documents.
• Coordinate with the programme and CAP sections to ensure proper donor visibility, donor visits, and feedback from donors.
• Proactively engage with other country offices to exchange best practices, which will inform the RCOs' approaches to donor relations and build an optimal system.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure the success of the team, including guiding, training, and coaching short-term staff, including interns and consultants, as needed.

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

Education:

• A university degree in social sciences, business management, administration, international development, public affairs, communication, and other related fields.

Experience:

• A minimum of two years of experience in fundraising, partnership management, donor reporting, and donor relationships in bilateral or multilateral aid environments.

Impact of the Results:

• Decision making on methods of work and prioritization of work.
• Makes recommendations to supervisor on how to improve and streamline reporting from partners and scheduling and improving donor reports (and Sit Reps if need be).
• Incorrect and/or late reporting can damage the credibility of the organization.
• Incumbent must work independently within the key assignments.

The Partnerships and Reports Officer is a professional in the field of external relations and communication, in particular in reporting. The quality of work and external communications performed by the officer directly impacts the overall reputation of UNICEF, particularly to UNICEF’s donors. Incumbent follows established procedures but is expected to make recommendations on strategies for improved reporting and the broader partnerships function. The Reports Officer is accountable for supporting the office to project a competent and trusted image of UNICEF to donors through quality and timely reports.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required.
• Knowledge of another language of the humanitarian operation (Kinyarwanda and Swahili) or UN language, especially French, 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…

(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 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’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. 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 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.