Public Partnerships Manager, P-4, PPD, Brussels, Belgium, #13851

UNICEF operates in 190+ countries to protect children's rights and help them reach their potential. We prioritize equity, ensuring every child has opportunities to thrive without discrimination. UNICEF collaborates with public and private sectors to drive progress, mobilize resources, and create lasting change. The Partnerships Manager will play a pivotal role in managing Global Programme Partnerships (GPPs), driving resource mobilization, fostering collaboration, and enhancing UNICEF’s visibility to achieve impactful outcomes for children. This position ensures strategic engagement, effective partnership management, and innovative approaches to align with UNICEF’s mission and goals. Join us to make a difference for every child.

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 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.

How can you make a difference? 

The Partnerships Manager will serve in the Public Private Partnerships team, within the Public Partnerships Division of UNICEF. The PPPs team has two inter-related primary roles. First, it works to catalyze, enable and scale public private partnerships across the UNICEF network, working with internal partners notably the PPD Climate team, PFP, regional offices and country offices, pushing forward the work of UNICEF Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan (2023-2030). Second, the team collaborates with Programme Group in the strategic management of relationships with Global Programme Partnerships (GPPs), large financing mechanisms which often define themselves as PPPs also. GPP income to UNICEF has grown dramatically in recent years amounting to more than $ 600 million annually. The Partnerships Manager will contribute to both roles of the team. However, a key focus of the position (70% of overall time) will be ensuring effective oversight and management of GPP partnerships.

The Partnership Manager position’s purpose is to deepen collaboration with key stakeholders and provide an interface for environmental scanning, knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, and policy influence within the scope of assignment. S/He may also serve as focal point and resource for colleagues on specific thematic areas of strategic relevance for partnership development. The key result is to ensure greater visibility for UNICEF and influence in support of its mission.

Partnership Managers at the P4/NOD level are authoritative experts in the field partnership development. These positions are not only responsible for the execution of assigned work-plans but are also responsible for regularly supporting senior management in policy direction and design. Subsequently, it is expected that they are able to – on a regular basis – develop original and innovative means to help advance the profession and also tackle highly complex matters that do not follow established patterns.

Furthermore, Partnership Managers are also usually responsible for planning, organizing and supervising a team of staff as well as for managing broad and complex projects.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks:

1. Support senior advisers and senior management in establishing the annual work plan, setting priorities/targets and performance measurements.

2. Monitor work progress for unit managed and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.

3. Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines for team members; and provide timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently.

4. Lead the work plan for assigned area, in order to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of results, in accordance with UNICEF’s partnership strategy

5. Seeks and promotes new partnerships and resource mobilization, working with UNICEF colleagues to identify partnership and resource mobilization needs and broker resource mobilization agreements to meet those needs.

6. 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.

7. Provides strategic, logistical and programmatic support to senior management and other UNICEF staff in corporate engagement and interaction with assigned partners.

8. 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 resource mobilization.

9. 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, international financial institutions and/or other relevant constituencies.

10. Develops and implements annual partnership engagement and resource mobilization plans.

11. Supports risk management and collaborates with internal partners to ensure accountability for key deliverables with GPP partners.

12. 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 with GPP partners, including for UNICEF’s Senior Management.

13. Contributes to the development of new partnership and resource mobilization practices and 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.

14. Contributes to strategies for engagement and the development of communications and advocacy 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 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.

15. 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.

Impact of Results

The Partnerships Manager is an authoritative expert in the field of external relations, in particular partnership development and resource mobilization. The quality of work and external communications performed by the Manager directly impacts on the overall reputation of UNICEF and makes a significant contribution to annual income of $600 million annually with key partners including Global Fund, GPE, GAVI and Green Climate Fund.

The Partnerships Manager is accountable for (a) convincing management of the utility of improved approaches (b) contributing to strategy planning (c) identifying and building effective partnerships with Global Programme Partnerships and other institutional PPP funders (d) managing key stakeholder engagement with internal and external partners in the management of GPP funders.(e.) working with internal partners and stakeholders to ensure effective risk management and accountability for key deliverables with GPP partners.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree is required in one of the following fields: international relations, political science, communications, international development, or another relevant technical field.
  
  
• Work Experience: A minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public affairs, programme management, resource mobilization, external relations, or other relevant area. Preference will be given to candidates with more than 3 years senior experience in developing and managing partnerships with institutional funders including PPPs, IFIs and philanthropic entities generating in excess of US$ 50 million annually, whether as donor or recipient. Particularly desirable will be candidates with mix of senior level relationship management of both public and private partners.
  
  
• Skills:
  - The ability to allocate appropriate time and resources for successful achievement of goals and foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning.
  - Ability to implement clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, identify priority activities and assignments, adjust priorities as required.
  - 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.
  - Authoritative knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation.
  - Authoritative knowledge of practices in partnership development and resource mobilization.
  - 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 (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…

(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 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. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates from programme countries are encouraged to apply.

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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.