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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 [insert tagline] 

With a population estimated at 2.2 million in 2023, Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 178 out of 189 countries and territories on the United Nations Human Development Index in 2021 (UNDP, 2022). Guinea-Bissau has a young, vibrant and predominantly rural population, with 49 per cent of its inhabitants under 18 years of age and 55 per cent living in rural areas and projections indicate a decline to 51 per cent in 2030. Guinea Bissau is well-endowed with renewable and non-renewable natural resources. Despite this, its economy relies heavily on agriculture, especially rice and cashew nut production.

Following several years of political and institutional fragility, as a result of several coups and attempted coups d’état, a civil war between 1998 and 1999 and repeated political crises since its independence in 1974, Guinea Bissau has in recent years known more stability.

Following the closure of United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) and completion of key transition milestones, the UN commenced a reconfiguration process that aimed to support the Government’s peacebuilding and sustainable development priority goals more effectively and efficiently through renewed engagement

The country’s historic fragility nonetheless has translated into weak public services, including education and health systems, which are unable to address important social deprivations and inequalities. In 2023, Poverty rates are high at 64%, with three in every five Bissau-Guinean citizens suffering from multidimensional poverty. Despite this, with 47% of the population below 25 years of age, Guinea Bissau’s youth are a reservoir of potentials.   The global spillover from the war in Ukraine and its adverse impacts on the supply chain for essential goods, food and fuel prices, has placed additional burdens on vulnerable households, compounding hardships from COVID-19. High debt servicing and limited fiscal space constrict social spending which amounts to just 26% of the national budget.

Despite some improvements, the maternal and child health situation remains worrying with 56 child deaths per 1000 live births and a maternal mortality rate estimated at 667 deaths per 100,000 live births which is one of the highest in the World.  Guinea-Bissau has one of the highest HIV prevalence in the West Africa region with 4 % among the reproductive age. UNICEF has a strong focus on child survival due to the high child mortality rate supporting a nationwide network of Community Health workers. With regards to education, the net school attendance is 69% against 78% in Sub-Sahara Africa, reflecting an important number of children out of school. Birth registration is low at 46% and child marriage is at 26%. Significant progress has been made around water and sanitation, Guinea-Bissau being one of the countries on track to reach the sanitation target for the SDGs.

The UN Resident Coordinator heads the UN agencies, 16 agencies are under the cooperation framework, 11 residents and 5 non-resident and based in Dakar. Portuguese is the country official language. Guinea-Bissau is member of the Community of Portuguese Language countries (CPLP). The UN Cooperation Framework covers the 2022-2026 period is in alignment with the current National Development Plan (2020-2023).

Purpose of the Job

Reporting to the Representative, the Partnerships Resource Mobilization (PRM)/Communication and Advocacy Specialist is responsible for developing, maintaining and strengthening public and private partnerships, mobilizing resources and innovative financing, including supporting the development and oversight of implementing an advocacy and communication strategy and related products and activities to promote children's rights and UNICEF's mandate. S/he will oversee the design and implementation of the Business for Results strategy and initiatives in pursuit of key results for children.

The Partnerships, Resources Mobilization/Advocacy and Communication position is designed to step resource mobilization and deepen engagement, policy influence and advocacy with a wide range of partners and to accelerate action on innovative financing, public-private partnerships, climate finance and innovative alliances with civil society, religious leaders, influencers, media and the private sector.

How can you make a difference?

Key Responsibilities, functions/accountabilities:

• Provide guidance and support to the Country Management Team on resource mobilization opportunities, including with public/bilateral donors, National Committees and the private sector. Prepare fundraising strategies as required to respond to specific needs identified by the Programme Division. Provide updates and analytical reports to the Country Management Team and Programme Coordination Team (e.g. on funding gaps, top donors, etc.).
• Support the CO's donor relations activities by acting as a focal point for communication with public donors and UNICEF National Committees; support communication with UNICEF PPD and PFP colleagues on fundraising and donor relations issues.
• Support the office's efforts to strengthen existing donor relationships and further expand the office's network with new prospects. Develop and enhance the CO's understanding of potential and existing donors through in-depth donor analysis, regular meetings and communication, active monitoring of calls for proposals and funding opportunities, donor briefing sessions and ensuring systematic follow-up of all opportunities.
• Seeking and promoting new multi-sectoral partnerships in pursuit of programme results for children, policy advocacy objectives and leveraging resources for children. Works with all UNICEF colleagues - within the country office and in close liaison with regional and HQ teams - to identify partnership and resource mobilization needs and to broader collaborative frameworks and partnership initiatives to meet these needs.
• Receives and screens requests from potential collaborators and facilitates communication with appropriate UNICEF staff. Scans and scouts the external environment within the designated partnership area for opportunities and risks and shares information with relevant UNICEF staff promptly.
• Contributes to the development and maintains in-depth knowledge and familiarity with current and potential partners and relevant stakeholders, contributing to a database of key contacts and to UNICEF's knowledge base on partnership, engagement opportunities, policy advocacy and resource mobilization.
• Act as a focal point for identifying and pursuing opportunities for outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration, including how to anticipate and respond to partners' concerns and priorities, ensuring that UNICEF's interests, perspectives and knowledge are considered in relevant policy and institutional processes, and ensuring that they are fully aware of UNICEF's perspectives, policies, priorities and capabilities. Contribute to the development and management of high-level outreach initiatives, including for UNICEF senior management.
• Contributes to engagement strategies and the development of communication products to enhance UNICEF's visibility and influence with existing and potential partners and key stakeholders, providing analysis of the current environment and trends and formulating recommendations for strategic approaches and message development. Works closely with UNICEF colleagues to ensure that policy advocacy and outreach is strongly informed by the experience and knowledge of UNICEF-supported programmes. Provides written input on communication tools that best inform and influence decision-makers.
• Ensures effective management of funds in accordance with relevant Standard Operating Procedures in terms of timely allocation of funds, issuance of payment requests, no-cost extensions, reprogramming requests and other donor-related administrative processes.
• In collaboration with the Deputy Representative and Section Heads, prepares and disseminates mandatory programme-related reports in accordance with donor and internal reporting requirements and standards.
• Under the guidance and supervision of the Representative, the Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Specialist position aims to deepen and strengthen UNICEF's partnerships, including with the public and private sectors and partners, and oversee the implementation of the Country Office's Business for Results programme.
• The Specialist will be responsible for all aspects of donor reporting and donor proposals based on information gathered from programme areas. The Specialist will be the focal point for public and private sector donors in coordinating the various interventions within the office with partners, sharing knowledge, mobilizing resources and advocating for funding to support UNICEF in achieving results for children within the mandate.
• S/he will also be responsible for planning, organizing and supervising a team of staff and managing complex initiatives.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [attach JD/TOR here]

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree is required in one of the following fields: international relations, political science, communications, international development, or another relevant technical field.
• Work Experience: A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public affairs, programme management, resource mobilization, external relations, or other relevant areas.
• Skills (optional): [Insert technical and non-technical skills]. 
• Language Requirements: Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset. Fluency in
  Portuguese 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 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people. 

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 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.

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 female 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.

UNICEF staff members holding fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to UNICEF personnel only).

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member’s original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.