Partnerships Officer - P2  

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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Partnerships ...

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does ? in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children's rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life ? in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions ? her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society's most disadvantaged citizens ? addressing inequity ? not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Job organisational context and purpose for the job :

In 2025 UNICEF established an Office in Washington D.C., which serves as the leadership hub for its partnerships with the Governments of the United States, Canada and Israel, as well as for UNICEF's partnership with International Financial Institutions. The overall team is co-located with colleagues also operating from New York, under the overall Direction of UNICEF Headquarters' Public Partnership Division.

UNICEF's Public Partnerships Division (PPD), which works to strengthen UNICEF's position as a partner of choice for children's rights among governments and inter-governmental 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 public institutions as resource, policy and programme partners. A key premise for PPD is that the engagement with countries should be holistic based on multiple aspects of partnerships, including policy advocacy and resource mobilization.

How can you make a difference?

The JPO will contribute to managing and strengthening partnerships with key public partners through the coordination of high-level advocacy, daily engagement with counterparts, and support to resource mobilization in consultation with the Deputy Team Lead, Director and other parts of UNICEF.

The position's purpose is to provide support in deepening collaboration with key stakeholders and helping to provide an interface for environmental scanning, knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, and policy influence within the scope of assignment. The key result is to ensure greater visibility for UNICEF and influence in support of its mission.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JPO TOR Washington D.C..pdf

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

• Contribute to the implementation of the work plan for UNICEF's Public Partnerships in the North America/IFI Pillar, to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of results, in accordance with UNICEF's partnership strategy.
• Promote and maintain direct relationships with public sector development partners, contributing to preparation of meetings with donors, consultations, donors' briefings and other forms of engagement with development partners. Support the preparation of concept notes, proposals, and briefing notes.
• Support supervisor in maintaining effective relationships with member states, UN agencies, NGOs, host government and other partners, in order to keep them informed on strategic and operational UNICEF issues.
• Support the substantive design and organizational implementation of strategic events and meetings hosted by UNICEF's Washington, D.C. office.
• Attend meetings with the UN and other multilateral bodies, NGOs, and member states,taking notes, sharing information, and supporting joint information programmes to increase UNICEF's profile, and protect its interests.
• Assist with the preparation of information to provide to member states, UN agencies, NGOs, host government and other partners on the strategy, design, relevance and impact of programmes, to advocate the work of UNICEF.
• Maintain awareness of current activities, political and social events of UN and other multilateral bodies/governments, conduct analysis to understand how they may impact UNICEF activities and provide timely information to UNICEF staff for decision-making.
• Conduct research on perspective new partners for UNICEF, and provide analysis of the areas of work, outreach, financial based and reputation of prospective partners.
• Maintain up-to-date information on partner and income trends, analyse development assistance policies and keep resource partner profiles updated.
• Draft and review donor reports, in line with UNICEF guidelines and standards, and alignment with donor requirements and reporting schedules.
• Support the development of frameworks and templates and review partner agreements and amendments for senior staff approval, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations.
• Provide guidance and support to UNICEF country offices in their engagement with development partners.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced degree in social science, public health, or another field related to the work of UNICEF.
• Work Experience:
  • At least 2 years of professional work experience. Work experience in external relations, fundraising, grant management or other relevant programmes is an asset.
  • Advanced ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and concisely orally as well as in writing
  • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
  • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
  • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
  • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
  • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is desirable.

Requirements for the Canadian JPO Programme

• Canadian citizenship
• Maximum 32 years of age at the time of application

The JPO training Programme includes the following learning elements:

• UNICEF JPO Orientation Week ? Designed to develop professional skills and provide an understanding of how the organization functions and carries out its mission globally.
• E-learning opportunities in performance management
• E-learning opportunities on UNICEF programmes and operational strategies
• JPO Coaching, Mentoring, and Buddy Programme ? Tailored to individual needs and aimed at providing insights into organizational culture, training opportunities, and support.
• Stretch Assignments ? Go beyond the current job description and offer opportunities to develop new skills in a different duty station, division, or section.
• Career Transition Programme ? Tailored to support JPOs in their final year as they plan for future career aspirations.

The JPO position includes a duty travel and training allowance (DTTA) per year which may be used for learning activities related to the assignment and career development.

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?

(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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to 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.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.

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