For every child, Partnerships …

The Public Partnerships Division (PPD) works to strengthen UNICEF’s position as a partner of choice for children’s rights among governments and public actors around the world. The Division is doing this by positioning children’s rights in the intergovernmental and multilateral fora and engaging with governments and UN partners.

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Partnerships Manager, the Partnerships Specialist will contribute to the work of the UN Partnerships Team with a focus on monitoring, influencing, and following up on interagency and intergovernmental processes that are critical to UNICEF’s strategic positioning.

How can you make a difference?

The incumbent will offer increased capacity to navigate politically complex and time-sensitive issues. They will ensure policy compliance and advance UNICEF’s work within the broader UN system by actively engaging with the Member States, senior management, technical experts and stakeholders.

Key areas of work include monitoring and assessing the negotiations of the new Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) and the Operational Activities Segment (OAS); supporting the roll out and implementation of the Secretary-General’s Child Rights Mainstreaming Guidance Note, providing guidance to country offices on Six Transitions and Four Engines for SDGs and weekly preparations for the Executive and Deputies Committees meetings.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Monitor, analyze, and inform intergovernmental and interagency processes, with a focus on advancing results for children

(a) the development and operationalization of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR);

(b) the Operational Activities Segment (OAS) and its resolution.

(c) the implementation of Our Common Agenda; and

(d) the implementation of the UN development system reform (through the annual survey of country office representatives)

Actively contribute to the preparation and monitoring of outcomes in high-level interagency fora, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s objectives

1. Executive and Deputies Committees meetings (EC/DC);
2. United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG);
3. Chief Executives Board for Coordination and Management and Programme Committees

Actively contribute to the engagement in and monitoring of the Executive Board

1. Support drafting and submission of the UN Partnerships team’s annual reporting to the Executive Board (QCPR annex and UNDS Information Note and Checklist)
2. Monitor NY-based UN agencies, funds and programmes’ Executive Board sessions, providing UNICEF management with strategic, timely information.

Provide strategic, logistical, and advisory support to senior management and UNICEF staff in corporate engagement with partners, utilizing political intelligence and desk research, engaging with:

1. The Member States
2. UN agencies, funds and programmes
3. UNICEF HQ divisions, regional and country offices

Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor, including guiding, training, and coaching fellows, as needed, to ensure the success of the team

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

• An advanced university degree is required in one of the following fields: international relations, political science, communications, international development, or another relevant field.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public affairs, partnerships and external relations management, 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.
• In-depth knowledge of intergovernmental and interagency processes as well as current development issues, strategies, and relevant programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation.
• Ability to identify risks, opportunities and propose recommendations for policy decision-making.
• Excellent communications skills, verbal and written.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language 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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

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

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 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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.