Partnerships Specialist, P-3, TA (364 days), post # 131429, Multi-Stakeholder Platforms, PFP, Geneva, Switzerland

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 Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Advocacy (MSP-A) team in UNICEF’s Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division (PFP), leads on UNICEF’s engagement with multi-stakeholder platforms, and advocacy with business and public-private partnerships (PPPs). As part of its business advocacy and engagement strategy, the MSP-A team undertakes a range of activities aiming to raise awareness and visibility of UNICEF and its key priorities with the private sector, and also with the public sector in relation to critical issues concerning business and children.

How can you make a difference ?

Under the guidance of the Advocacy with Business Manager, the incumbent is responsible for:

1. Partnership building, networking and engagement: Identifies and maximizes opportunities for UNICEF engagement in select multi-stakeholder platforms and initiatives on thematic priorities (climate, mental health and health equity) including public-private partnerships. Manages UNICEF’s engagement in these initiatives to advance UNICEF’s advocacy, programmatic and partnership goals. Builds and strengthens strategic partnerships and develops new initiatives to mobilize and pursue opportunities with key private and public sector stakeholders to advance UNICEF’s goals on climate, mental health and health equity, leveraging the value of UNICEF partnerships and collaboration, while preserving the organization’s credibility and reputation.
2. Advocacy with business: Develops advocacy with business opportunities and strategies focusing at the global level linked to main policy developments (i.e. Paris Agreement, UNGA political declarations, etc.), as well as on programmatic priorities with significant partnership potential (i.e. energy poverty, climate resilient water stewardship, child health and mental well-being). Identifies external champions and develops key asks for UNICEF priorities for children to engage the private sector in advancing objectives with key businesses, partnerships and initiatives.
3. Project management: Manages complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, develops workplans and budgets, and leads on organization and implementation of deliverables according the workplan, in alignment with broader advocacy and partnership objectives.
4. Planning and coordination: Coordinates within PFP, across divisions, RO/COs, National Committees and external organizations on UNICEF’s engagement in key global platforms and initiatives related to the private sector. Plan, organize and support engagement of UNICEF senior leadership and/or private sector partners in key initiatives. Coordinates the preparation of briefing notes, talking points, key messages and other information materials as needed.
5. Capacity building: Equipping and building capacity of National Committees, headquarters, regional and country offices to engage on advocacy with business objectives, and engaging the private sector to advance national, regional and global advocacy and partnerships initiatives and priorities, and to facilitate the development, piloting or scale up of PPP models.
6. Technical support: Provides technical support and advice regarding the integration of strategies for advocacy with business and the engagement with key platforms and initiatives into UNICEF planning processes, approaches and work plans. Provides inputs into briefing materials and other communications as needed. Develops content, advocacy messaging, thought leadership and subject matter expertise tailored to the unique interests and capabilities of particular platforms and the wider business audience.
7. Communications: Supports the development of key messages related to the mobilization of business influence and advocacy with business, and the engagement with multi-stakeholder platforms and initiatives vis-a-vis internal and external audiences. Provides inputs and develops content/articles for internal and external audiences. Works with partnerships colleagues across the organization, to develop business and advocacy strategies and messages for priority UNICEF partners and National Committees.
8. Knowledge management: Facilitates knowledge capture and sharing on business advocacy and engagement with key global platforms and initiatives, including through updating UNISON (the UNICEF Customer Relationship Management System), the PFP intranet, and other sources.

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

Education:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, public administration, business management, communication, or another relevant field.
• Alternatively, a first-level university degree in a relevant field combined with two (2) additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience working in the private sector on sustainability-related issues is required.
• Progressively responsible professional work experience on private sector advocacy priorities with a focus on one of the following issues health equity and non-communicable diseases, mental health. and climate, environment is required
• Experience in effectively working with a diverse group of stakeholders and working on complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships involving the private sector, whether within the UN, Government, NGOs, or the private sector, would be an asset.
• Familiarity with private sector advocacy and partnerships with the UN and excellent understanding of corporate social responsibility, shared value, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and/or business advocacy is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is an asset.
• Experience with UN/UNICEF is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required with excellent writing skills. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Deliverables:

• Drive advocacy and collective action strategies and partnerships on energy and water.
• Support complex multi-stakeholder initiatives with businesses and foundations to develop private sector guidance, recommendations, and calls to action linked to the Global Goal of Adaptation.
• Support and coordinate private sector events and engagements such as London Climate Week, New York Climate Week, COP30, WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, World Health Assembly, UNGA.
• Support advocacy and partnerships with strategic networks and champion foundations and businesses.
• Support global campaign push on childhood health, NCDs and mental health in the run-up to the High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Universal Health Coverage.

Estimated duration of the contract:

• 364 days

Reporting to:

• The Multistakeholder Partnerships and Advocacy Manager.

Working Place:

• Geneva, Switzerland is the official duty station. (Flexible work arrangements may be applied if there is a need.)

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 requiredto 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 .