Private Sector Partnerships Specialist

Ghana is a peaceful, stable, multi-party democracy and a lower-middle-income country. The nation experienced steady socioeconomic development progress until 2020. Children under 18 comprise a significant portion of the population. Urbanization is a continuing trend. Disparities exist between regions, particularly regarding poverty. Many children in Ghana experience multidimensional and monetary poverty. In addition to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, several ongoing challenges, including health concerns, increased exposure to climate change, and regional security risks, pose threats to child well-being and overall development. The national medium-term development policy framework prioritizes areas such as economic growth, urbanization and infrastructure, digitalization, science, technology, innovation, pandemic preparedness, public health, climate change, emergency preparedness, and youth empowerment.

In Ghana, UNICEF cooperates with the Government and other partners to defend the rights of children and help them fulfil their potential. With offices in Accra and Tamale, the UNICEF team seeks to achieve results in strategic programme areas. The overall goal is for every child to survive and thrive, to live in a safe and clean environment, to learn, to be protected from violence and exploitation, and to have an equitable chance in life. The current Country Programme of cooperation is aligned with the Government priorities, the UN Sustainable Development Partnership (UNSDP), and Key Results for Children (KRCs) in the West and Central African Region (immunization, nutrition, learning outcomes, ending child marriage, and ending open defecation). UNICEF main strategies include Social protection and public financing for children, Advocacy and partnership, Social and Behavior Change and Innovation, Evidence and Knowledge management.

UNICEF has been the leading child-rights organization, and a respected partner, for saving and improving children’s lives. In Ghana, UNICEF cooperates with the Government and other partners to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to ensure equitable access to quality social services, and to expand children’s opportunities to reach their full potential. With offices in Accra and Tamale, the UNICEF team seeks to achieve results in strategic programme areas. The overall goal is for every child to survive and thrive, to live in a safe and clean environment, to learn, to be protected from violence and exploitation, and to have an equitable chance in life. The current Country Programme of cooperation is aligned with the Government priorities, the UN Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF) and Key Results for Children (KRCs) in the West and Central African Region (immunization, nutrition, learning outcomes, ending violence and open defecation). UNICEF main strategies include evidence-based advocacy, system strengthening, integrated programming across sectors, emergency preparedness and response, and innovation.
UNICEF Ghana works in close collaboration with a diverse range of partners, including government institutions, civil society organizations, private sector actors, and international development agencies, to advance child rights and deliver impactful results for children. Strategic public and private sector partnerships are essential to mobilize resources, foster innovation, and scale up effective interventions. The Partnerships Team plays a key role in strengthening these collaborations, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s strategic priorities, and leveraging partner contributions to achieve sustainable outcomes for children across Ghana

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Partnerships Manager (P4), the National Private Sector Partnerships Specialist will support maximizing the value from the private sector partners, developing new strategic partnerships. UNICEF Ghana Country Office (CO) is looking for someone who can make a difference for children in Ghana, someone who knows the private sector key actors and partnerships development and who will be responsible for proactively identifying and developing strategies to secure new shared value partnerships with private sector companies, family and institutional foundations, and High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) to generate significant funding for children's programs, leverage expertise, and advocate for child rights.

1. New Business Development: New business process from prospect identification to securing first meetings, through the contract signature of new partnerships.
•Mapping of prospect companies, foundations and HNWIs; development of new private sector pipeline and building propositions and outreach plans for the private sector targets.
•Conducts market analysis, identifies opportunities and potential partners.
•Using the findings of the country office mapping and National Committees, develops and manages the appropriate strategy to identify and prospect best potential private sector partners.
•Leads the administrative and operational processes for partnership development, including submissions via UNISON, obtaining due diligence clearances and coordinating with regional, Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP), and National Committees.
•Ensures legal clearance and signature of the contract. Lead the efforts for drafting and implementing private sector agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), monitoring compliance of the private sector proposals, and sending them to the partners.

2. Proposal’s preparation and analysis:
•Identifies synergies between the companies', foundations, HNWI’s objectives and UNICEF priorities and proactively reaches out to potential partners to establish high-value partnerships.
•Supports the programme teams to prepare and make UNICEF sales pitch through targeted presentations, including presentation of the Country Office´s work, outlining possible areas of business collaboration.
•Analyses proposals from corporations and foundations and makes recommendations to office.
•Coordinates periodical submission of donor deliverables in collaboration of the programme and communications section.

3. Relationship: In coordination with the Partnerships Manager, develops and maintains close relations with corporate, foundations and HNWIs allies, as well as with groups and organisations whose support is essential to the achievement of objectives. Represents the Partnerships team in external and internal meetings and working groups, ensuring alignment with the Resource Mobilization Strategy and effective communication across teams.