UN Jobs – Partnerships Specialist – United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Job Title: Partnerships Specialist
Organization: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
About US: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is mandated by the UN general assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
Job Summary: The Partnerships Specialist (Private Sector Engagement) is a seasoned professional in the field of external relations, in particular partnership development and leveraging resources . The quality of work and external communications performed by the specialist directly impacts on the overall reputation of UNICEF. S/He follows established procedures but is expected to make recommendations on strategies for engagement and communications products. The Public Partnership Specialist is accountable for quality, substantive input and ability to project a competent and trusted image of UNICEF to partners.
Key Duties and Responsibilities: Reporting to the Chief of Communication, the Partnerships Specialist main responsibilities and tasks will include:
- Implement the work plan for assigned area, in order to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of results, in accordance with UNICEF’s partnership strategy.
- Seeks and promotes new partnerships in support of the larger Business for Results agenda, working with UNICEF colleagues (especially colleagues within Programme and Field Offices) to identify partnership needs and opportunities and broker agreements to meet those needs.
- Receives and screens inquiries from potential collaborators and facilitates communication with appropriate UNICEF staff. Scans and scouts external environment within designated partnership area for opportunities and risks and shares information in a timely fashion with relevant UNICEF staff.
- Provides strategic, logistical and programmatic support to senior management and other UNICEF staff in corporate engagement and
- interaction with assigned partners.
- Develops and maintains deep knowledge and familiarity with current and prospective partners and relevant stakeholders, contributing to a database of key contacts and to UNICEF’s base of knowledge on partnership and overall larger Business for Results objectives.
- Expands UNICEF’s network of key interlocutors to build stronger relationships between UNICEF and governments, other key-decision makers, regional development institutions, foundations, civil society organizations, UN partners, international financial institutions and/or other relevant constituencies.
- Develops partnerships through active outreach with key industry associations, networks, government, academic institutions and initiate activities to further the Child Rights and Business Principles (CRBP) agenda and practice
- Develops and implements partnership engagement and strategies.
- Acts as a focal point for identification and pursuit of opportunities for outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration, including on how to anticipate and respond to partners’ concerns and priorities, ensure that UNICEF’s interests, perspectives, and knowledge are taken into account in relevant policy and institutional processes, and ensure that they are fully aware of UNICEF’s perspectives, policies, priorities and capabilities. Contribute to the development and management of initiatives for high-level outreach, including for UNICEF’s Senior Management.
- Contributes to the development of new partnership approaches by formulating recommendations for action based on on-going monitoring, analyzing current trends within designated partners and formulating recommendations for strategy approaches and message development.
- Contributes to strategies for engagement and the development of communications products to enhance UNICEF’s visibility and influence with existing and prospective partners and key stakeholders by providing analysis of the current environment and trends and formulating recommendations for strategy approaches and message development. Works closely with UNICEF’s colleagues to ensure that public and policy advocacy and outreach is strongly grounded in the experience and insights of the programmes that UNICEF’s supports. Contributes written inputs for communications instruments that best inform and influence decision makers.
- Initiate and support research related initiatives in support of the implementation of the private sector partnerships, including the child rights and business agenda and contributing to knowledge generation and knowledge management. This includes, inter alia, support to Sitan development, research understanding business sectoral impact on children, business impact assessment methods, the development of KPIs and indicators and supporting the implementation of monitoring and evaluation.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure the success of the team, including guiding, training, and coaching short-term, staff, including interns and consultants, as needed.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Partnerships Specialist should hold an advanced university degree is required in one of the following fields: international relations, political science, communications, international development, marketing, business management, or another relevant technical field.
- A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: private sector, public affairs,
- programme management, resource mobilization, external relations, or other relevant area.
- Diplomatic communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Current knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation.
- In-depth knowledge of partnership development and leveraging resources.
- Demonstrated ability to formulate new approaches in respect of resources management and outreach- related activities.
- Skill in the identification of new opportunities or requirements to meet challenges in the field and propose changes.
- Excellent communications skills, verbal and written.
- In-depth familiarity with political and governmental processes
- Ability to conduct sound policy analysis.
- Language requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
- UNICEF’s values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
- Functional Competencies: Analyzing (2), Deciding and initiating action (1), Persuading and Influencing (2), Applying Technical Expertise (2), Learning and researching (2), Planning and organizing (2)
NB: The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (Application, interview meeting, processing, or training). The United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts. How to Apply: All suitably qualified and interested candidates desiring to serve the United Nations in the aforementioned capacity should express their interest by visiting the UN recruitment website and clicking Apply Now. Click Here Deadline: 22nd April 2021
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