Partnerships Specialist, P-3, TA (364 days), post # 128940, Global Philanthropy, PFP, New York

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. 

The Private Sector Fundraising and Partnerships (PSFP) section within the Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division (PFP) works with National Committees and UNICEF country offices to maximize engagement and drive income growth. There are five teams within the PSFP section, including Global Philanthropy. The purpose of the Faith and membership-based organizations’ income channel, within the Global Philanthropy unit, is to drive engagement, impact, and income growth from faith and membership-based organizations.  

UNICEF has been engaging with faith-based organizations and religious communities in programmatic and advocacy work for decades, enjoying positive relationships with these actors at global, regional, and country levels. UNICEF’s commitment to uphold the inherent dignity of every child, as expressed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, is reflected within the world’s major religious traditions. This shared commitment to children’s well-being has translated into impactful and lasting support, including financial, for UNICEF’s work.   

Today more than ever, UNICEF recognizes and values the unique experience, insight, and trust of our faith partners. UNICEF is moving forward with an ambitious strategy to accelerate faith-based philanthropy by securing new partnerships and building a network of influential faith-based organizations and religious leaders providing faith partners with the opportunity to further UNICEF’s work through resource mobilization, engagement, enhanced thought-leadership, and advocacy.  

For every child, a Champion 

Under the general guidance of the Faith and membership-based organizations unit manager, the post holder will be responsible for supporting our partnership with our largest global MBO partners (those with a value of over $5m), plus our main focal point for the US Fund. 

They will be supporting the implementation of the global strategy and maximizing engagement (financial and non-financial) and income from this audience group.  

The post will be focused on the global coordination of our largest partnerships and supporting the relevant markets to maximize internal and external engagement opportunities.  

How can you make a difference? 

Strategic support to existing partnerships 

• Ensure existing strategic partnerships with membership and faith-based organizations are optimized and retained.
• Ensure they are strategically and effectively managed. Support all areas of account management: Growth strategy, programmatic content, coordination with all participating Natcoms and COs, stakeholder management including with senior management and OED, income and soft crediting.
• Ensure these strategic partnerships are adequately recognized and promoted at various events and engagement platforms.
• Act as a primary focal point for the US Fund.

 Global engagement platforms 

• Identify additional appealing global recognition opportunities, including non-financial engagement offerings, that will further UNICEF’s work through resource mobilization, engagement, enhanced thought leadership, and advocacy.
• Coordinate the engagement of our largest partners in external engagement offerings, including the UN General Assembly, COP, and the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children.
• Create appropriate engagement offerings for our partners, to provide them with opportunities to be informed about our work, explore combined areas of influence for children, and develop innovative partnership offerings.

The post holder might support additional projects as necessary. 

DELIVERABLES:  

• Support on the largest global MBO partnerships is maintained.
• Project manage the creation and renewal of tripartite partnership MOUs.
• Creation of partnership guidance documents to ensure the consistent management of global partnerships across the UNICEF ecosystem.
• Meaningful and impactful engagement of our highest value partners in external engagement opportunities including UNGA, COP, World Health Summit, Disability Summit, and the Arigatou Day of Prayer and Action for Children.
• Creation of appropriate opportunities for highest value partners, including bespoke briefings, bilateral meetings, and engagements.
• Update the process and guidance documentation for UNISON, Due Diligence, Communications, and Recognition.
• Regular support to the relationship managers of partnerships with a value of $5m or more.

Estimated Duration of the contract 

• 364 days 

Reporting To: 

• Partnership Specialist (Faith and Membership) 

Working Place: 

• New York 

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, fundraising, marketing, theology/ religious studies.
• Alternative, a first-level University Degree in a relevant field combined with (2) additional years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

• A minimum of five years of relevant professional fundraising experience is required, with at least two years working with either faith groups, major donors, foundations, or corporates.
• Experience directly cultivating or supporting high-value partnerships ($5m plus) is required.
• Familiarity with the global fundraising landscape is required.
• Familiarity with wider civil society engagement offerings, including advocacy is an asset.
• Knowledge of diverse faiths and faith-based landscapes is an asset
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, both written and verbal are required.
• Must possess a strong work ethic, have confidence, take initiative, and be an enthusiastic team player.
• Proven ability to prioritize; work independently; handle multiple, complex tasks simultaneously; and to generate pragmatic solutions to challenges.
• Strong customer service approach to interactions with colleagues and partners; ability to navigate complex environments and help build relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel, and with experience in using complex database.
• Experience in the NGO sector/ for UNICEF and/or UN is an asset.

Language requirements: 

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language 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… 

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1) are required.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: our competency framework.  

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. 

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. 

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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. 

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. 

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.