Consultant (12 months, home-based) Partnerships and Advocacy Expert Multi- Stakeholder Partnerships (MSP), Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP), Geneva

Job no: 585306
Position type: Consultant
Location: Switzerland
Division/Equivalent: Partnerships
School/Unit: Geneva, Switzerland
Department/Office: Private Fund Raising and Partnerships
Categories: Communication, Partnerships, Fund Raising

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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 peace 

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT:

This role will provide specific targeted partnerships and advocacy management support to the PFP MSP team on Mental Health.
 
Under the general guidance of the Partnerships Specialist, this role will lead specific partnerships and advocacy activities to advance UNICEF's strategic objectives and the goals of the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health. The role will ensure that these activities align with advocacy and partnerships targets, maximizing influence and impact.
 
Mental
Mental health and well-being are essential to a child’s healthy development and future opportunities and are among UNICEF’s global priorities. Around the world, we work to promote positive mental health, address mental health challenges, and combat stigma, all to support the optimal development of children and adolescents. In response to the growing global need for better mental health outcomes, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Zurich Foundation, launched the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health in 2022. The Coalition aims to unlock the full potential of youth by promoting well-being and preventing mental distress.
 
The Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health addresses the rising global burden of mental disorders in youth by providing a unified platform for investment and action on mental health promotion and prevention.
 
How can you make a difference? 
 

SCOPE OF WORK:

Under the supervision and leadership of the Partnerships Specialist, the consultant will support the Coalition to strengthen its role as a leading platform for collective action on youth mental health through advocacy and partnerships. The work will focus on four interconnected areas, in close collaboration with UNICEF divisions such as the Programme Group, the Division of Global Communication and Advocacy, and others.
 
First, the Consultant will lead on membership stewardship, ensuring members are actively engaged, supported, and connected to opportunities that add value to their participation and to UNICEF’s mandate. This includes facilitating collaboration, responding to member needs, and maintaining regular communication.
 
Second, the role will contribute to membership growth, identifying and engaging new organizations and partners whose expertise and commitment align with the Coalition’s vision. The consultant will support build a diverse, representative, and sustainable membership base.
 
Third, the consultant will drive the Coalition’s advocacy and influence agenda, supporting collective action that amplifies member voices and advances youth mental health on global and regional policy agendas. This will include developing advocacy products, organizing joint initiatives, and ensuring alignment with key international processes.
 
Finally, the consultant will strengthen communications, ensuring the Coalition’s achievements, impact, and member contributions are effectively shared with stakeholders and the wider public. This includes content development, storytelling, and visibility strategies to position the Coalition as a trusted, influential actor.
 
WORK ASSIGNMENTS:
 
-  Organize Coalition quarter meeting.
-  Lead reporting for the annual Coalition report.
-  Finalize the Coalition annual report and support dissemination and promotion.
-  Lead the organization of the Coalition annual meeting.
-  Launch planning and coordinate Coalition-wide activities for Mental Health Awareness Month.
-  Support National Committees with activations for Mental Health Awareness Month.
-  Support development of second annual insights study.
-  Lead engagement with NCs and Coalition members for the second annual insights study.
-  Produce an advocacy strategy for the UNGA and World Mental Health Day.
-  Provide logistics and event management support for the UNGA.
-  Implement activation for World Mental Health Day.
-  Develop an initial plan and strategy for the Coalition Annual Meeting.
 

DELIVERABLES:

The consultant will submit deliverables as outlined below (deliverables and respective timelines), and payments will be processed upon acceptance of deliverables by the supervisor.

Deliverable 1: by 31 December 2025
  1. Engage members and PG colleagues to define priorities ad meeting agenda.
  2. Prepare speakers and facilitate the meeting with clear objectives and outcomes.
Deliverable 2: by 31 January 2026
  1. Gather and analyze coalition-wide qualitative and quantitative data.
  2. Produce a concise, high-impact annual report showcasing results and impact.
Deliverable 3: by 28 February 2026
  1. Finalize and publish the Coalition Annual Report.
  2. Support dissemination and promotion across platforms.
Deliverable 4: by 31 March 2026
  1. Lead organization of the Coalition Annual Meeting.
  2. Completed Coalition Annual Meeting report reflecting stakeholder inputs.
Deliverable 5: by 30 April 2026
  1. Finalize calendar of activities for Mental Health Awareness Month.
  2. Develop a toolkit for Coalition members to align with planned activities.
Deliverable 6: by 31 May 2026
  1. Provide customized guidance and resources for National Committees' activations.
  2. Produce a report on National Committees' activation plans and expected impact.
Deliverable 7: by 30 June 2026
  1. Prepare first draft of second annual insights study framework.
  2. Collection of baseline data and stakeholder inputs.
Deliverable 8: by 31 July 2026
  1. Lead engagement with NCs and coalition members for insights study.
  2. Draft analysis based on collected data.
Deliverable 9: by 31 August 2026
  1. Produce a final advocacy strategy document for UNGA and World Mental Health Day.
  2. Develop a list of priority advocacy messages and supporting materials.
Deliverable 10: by 30 September 2026
  1. Develop a detailed logistics plan, including event agenda and participant management for UNGA.
  2. Prepare a post-event report summarizing outcomes and next steps.
Deliverable 11: by 31 October 2026
  1. Executive activation for World Mental Health Day with Coalition members and internal stakeholders.
  2. Prepare a post-activation report summarizing outcomes and next steps.
Deliverable 12: by 30 November 2026
  1. Lead consultation with members and internal stakeholders, reviewing progress, lessons learned, and priorities.
  2. Produce an initial plan and strategy for the Coalition Annual Meeting 2027.

Consultant's Workplace and Official Travel:  

  • The Consultant will be remote/home-based. As part of the assignment, there is a possibility of travel during the assignment on a per need basis and this will be covered separately by UNICEF and not included in the lump sum fee. The consultant will arrange her/his travel as and when they take place, and related costs will be reimbursed per UNICEF's travel policy.

Travel Clause:

  • All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of consultants apply.
  • All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF.
  • The consultant must be fit to travel, be in possession of the valid UN BSAFE certificate, obligatory inoculation(s), and have valid personal travel/medical insurance and an immunization/vaccination card.

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

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in International Relations, Economics, Social Sciences, Business or related fields is required.
  • Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or higher) in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • A minimum of five (5) years progressive experience in partnerships, communications and/or advocacy is required, including experience writing content and publishing communication or advocacy materials.
  • Experience in the area of mental health or public health is an asset.
  • Previous experience in communications and advocacy related to business or responsible business-related initiatives, with a focus on engaging diverse audiences, is a distinct advantage. 
  • Previous communications/PR experience with UN/UNICF or similar is an asset.
Language:
  • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other official UN languages is an asset.

Remarks:

The application should include two written work samples. Sample works can include a report, thought leadership piece, or blog. (At least 2 work samples must be uploaded online). Applications submitted without at least 2 samples of work will not be considered.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here

Remarks:  

Please indicate your all-inclusive (lump sum) fees against the deliverables listed above, including all associated administrative and travel costs (if applicable), in the cover letter. The office selects the individual based on best value for money.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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.

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Application close: W. Europe Standard Time

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