UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, [insert tagline] 

The consultant will coordinate with UNICEF Benin programme sections, the partnerships team, and technical partners to collect and synthesize information, develop compelling narratives, and ensure alignment with donor requirements and strategic frameworks.

Context

UNICEF Benin, as part of its 2024–2026 Country Programme, has prioritized the acceleration of results for children through transformative initiatives across nutrition, WASH, health, education, child protection, and climate resilience. In 2024, the government of Benin reinforced its commitment to children’s rights and development through key policy frameworks, including the First Food Initiative, the National Policy on Community Health, and the Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC).

UNICEF has been a strategic partner in these efforts, providing technical leadership and convening power across sectors.

This consultancy is therefore critical to sustaining the momentum of UNICEF Benin’s results and partnerships and ensuring that resource mobilization remains agile, strategic, and impactful in 2025 and beyond.

This recruitment is in support of the L1 emergency.

The details of the terms of reference are available TOR International National Consultant Proposal Writer.docx  TOR International National Consultant Proposal Writer.docx

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, the consultant will:

1. Coordinate Proposal Development
- Gather technical inputs from programme sections and external partners,
- Draft full proposals and concept notes tailored to donor templates.

2. Support Donor Engagement
- Draft investment cases, summaries, and profiles to support donor pitches and partner briefings.

3. Ensure Quality and Alignment
- Revise and edit proposals for structure, clarity, gender-responsiveness, and logical flow,
- Ensure alignment with UNICEF strategic priorities, national development plans, and SDGs.

4. Knowledge Management
- Maintain a repository of narrative elements, situation data, and donor preferences.

5. Capacity Strengthening
- Deliver one session on effective proposal writing for UNICEF staff and partners.

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

• Master’s degree in international development, business administration, marketing, journalism, or a writing-related field (preferred),

• Strong analytical and research skills; capable of translating complex development issues into clear, concise proposals using issue-action-impact frameworks,

•  Excellent command of Microsoft Office, especially Word; familiarity with desktop publishing and formatting,

• At least 5 years of relevant experience developing fundraising proposals or donor reports for non-profits, companies, or as a freelance consultant,
• Strong analytical and research skills; capable of translating complex development issues into clear, concise proposals using issue-action-impact frameworks,
• Excellent command of Microsoft Office, especially Word; familiarity with desktop publishing and formatting tools to enhance visual appeal of documents,
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s mission and mandate; previous experience with UNICEF or other UN agencies is a strong asset,
• Knowledge of proposal development processes and donor requirements,
• Outstanding writing and editing skills in English; working proficiency in French is desirable

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. 

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.

Remarks:  

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.