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.

For every child, a champion

The purpose of this job is to provide overall support across the team’s strategy, which is “Connecting the Field with the Private Sector”. UNICEF is a large and decentralized organization, with a complex structure of HQ, Regional Offices, Country Offices, and National Committees. The dialogue between all of these parties is critical to successful partnerships, but the ways in which they are currently achieved could be streamlined and more strategic. The Programme Officer will contribute to the efforts of UNICEF’s Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP) Division by supporting research and analysis for effective private sector engagement, contributing to capacity building initiatives, and facilitating knowledge management and internal communications within the organization.

How can you make a difference?

1. Research, analysis, and writing for effective audience engagement.

The main task involves conducting comprehensive research and analysis to support effective audience engagement with the private sector, aligned with UNICEF’s strategic goals and organizational priorities, particularly in promoting flexible funding. This includes gathering information to develop high-quality content and capacity-building toolkits, as well as analyzing donor data trends from internal databases to provide actionable insights for refining engagement strategies. This role also includes developing be-spoke content and proposal for fundraising and partnership. Additionally, the role entails maintaining key databases related to fundraising initiatives and partnerships, and translating complex documents and investment cases into interactive, donor-friendly presentations.

2. Provide technical assistance to the team’s capacity building initiatives

The main task involves supporting the team’s capacity-building initiatives, particularly the Programme Masterclass, which has been developed and hosted multiple times since 2019 to address various topics based on demand. This includes assisting in the planning, coordination, and execution of virtual training sessions, collaborating with team members to create engaging content for programmatic webinars, and providing logistical support such as participant registration and technical assistance. Additionally, the role involves contributing to the development of training materials, including presentations and handouts, and ensuring effective knowledge management of training assets to enhance the sustainability of the programme.

3. Knowledge management, internal communications, and coordination/organization

The main task focuses on managing knowledge, internal communications, and coordination within the team. This includes generating content for internal communications and maintaining databases and content repositories to ensure information is current and easily accessible to staff. Additionally, the role involves developing and implementing efficient knowledge-sharing systems, facilitating collaboration and learning across the team. The role will also coordinate the regular engagement with Programme Focal Point Network in National Committee. The task also includes supporting the planning of private sector visits to the Supply Division by assisting in the collection and organization of participant profiles and centralizing feedback to help improve the initiative.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Education:

• A first-level university degree in one of the following fields is required: literature, communications, social sciences, marketing, public relations, business administration, and management or a relevant field.

Experience:

• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional work experience is required in research and analysis, coordination, and/or knowledge management.
• Experience with virtual collaboration tools and platforms is required.

Skills

• Detailed-oriented, driven for results, proactive, and good interpersonal skills.
• Strong writing and editing skills and proven ability to craft compelling, engaging, and creative content, with a strong preference for knowledge and experience in writing for private-sector audiences.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is an asset.

• Familiarity with issues related to children's rights, private sector fundraising and engagement, and/or international development is an asset.
• Experience and capability in graphic design is an asset.
• UN/UNICEF experience is an asset.

Deliverables:

1. Timely production of high-quality research, analysis, and writing pieces as requested.
2. Provide surge support for designing at least 10 bespoke proposals for the highest value partnerships, promoting sustainable, high-quality funding.
3. Design and produce visually engaging and content-rich presentations for internal capacity-building workshops, aimed at enhancing UNICEF staff’s skills in private sector engagement.
4. Design and implement a knowledge management system within the team for seamless collaboration and regular documentation of best practices, resources, and data.
5. Coordinate at 8-10 regular network meetings with National Committee Programme Focal Points.

Estimated duration of the contract:

• 364 days

Reporting to:

• Programme Manager of Programme Coordination, PFP

Working Place:

• The official duty station is Geneva, Flexible work arrangements can be considered.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) in English.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) 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…

• Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
• Innovates and embraces change (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• Thinks and acts strategically (1)
• Works collaboratively with others (1)

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

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.