UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world. And we never give up.
For Every Child, help :
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.
Organizational Context :
UNICEF in the West & Central Africa (WCA) Region is expanding strategic public and private partnerships & high-value alliances for children, including through resource mobilization, and leveraging resources and policy influence with key stakeholders.
First, to have meaningful impact for children in the region, UNICEF must mobilize significant Other Resources (OR) from both the public and private sectors. The Region is therefore shifting to a more strategic and purposeful approach to partnerships, based on solid evidence and analysis, and pro-active targeting of opportunities for strategic partnerships on a larger scale – within countries and across clusters of countries.
Second, given the critical role of regional bodies in the WCA region, (e.g. ECOWAS and ECCAS), UNICEF seeks to leverage increased resources for and attention to children across the region, through partnership and advocacy. Enhanced engagement with WCA Governments and institutions, based on a common agenda for children and young people, is the key priority in this regard. Other work includes strengthening the nascent ODA programmes of several countries to become more child-focused; advocacy with IFIs and regional banks for child-friendly investments, and increased South-South and Horizontal Cooperation within and beyond the Region. Furthermore, partnerships with the private sector are being leveraged in those countries where potential is greatest and across clusters of countries, covering various types of strategic engagement.
To provide greater support and coordination at the regional level to achieve these results, the senior Adviser (Public Partnerships) position was established by the ROMP 2018-2021. The Section works in close collaboration with others across the Regional Office, and with PPD and PFP colleagues, to ensure a multi-pronged approach which pro-actively targets strategic partnerships. This position leads the Partnerships Section to pursue these aims and build partnerships that can deliver and leverage results for children in West and Central Africa.
The Senior Adviser (public partnerships) reports to the Regional Deputy Director for general guidance and direction. The Adviser is responsible for providing technical leadership and strategic direction to ensure that the rights of the child and young people are reflected in UNICEF’s advocacy, policies, programme and humanitarian work.
How can you make a difference?
This position leads the Partnerships Section to pursue the above aims and help build partnerships that can deliver and leverage results for children in WCA.
Summary of results-based key functions/accountabilities :
- Advocate for strategic child rights issues in the WCA region and strengthen regional partnerships with key stakeholders, including the African Union, ECOWAS, ECCAS, civil society networks, and other key partners ;
- Design and manage engagement strategies and plans with the objective of increasing quality resources for UNICEF in the Region; identify all possible sources of new and continued funding from both the public and private sectors; monitor and evaluate existing fundraising channels ;
- Ensure the provision of technical guidance and support to COs to strengthen capacity for partnerships and resource mobilization and management of public and private partnerships ;
- Facilitate and maintain relations with Embassies, missions, and other public and private sector partners based in Dakar/Senegal and in the region, in close cooperation with concerned Headquarters Divisions, notably PPD and PFP ;
- Collaborate with RO Sections, the development of regional multi-country, multi-sectoral funding concept notes and proposals and manage the provision of quality assurance to RO and CO donor proposals and donor reports ;
- Supervise and guide the work of a small team of staff.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have :
Education :
An advanced university degree in social or political science, international relations, management or other appropriate field is required.
Experience :
- A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the areas of development of strategic public partnerships, external relations or child rights is required ;
- Work experience in or familiarity with the West and Central Africa region would be an asset.
Language Requirements :
- Fluency in both English and French is required. Knowledge of languages of the region would be an asset ;
- Strong writing skills in English is required.
Specific technical knowledge required :
- Familiarity with current and potential partners ;
- Understanding of the UN mission and UN system ;
- Understanding of the International Code of Conduct ;
- Understanding of UNICEF Mission and UNICEF Guiding Principles ;
- Understanding of UNICEF programmatic policies, goals, visions, positions, policies, priorities, strategies and approaches (SDGs, SP, Resource allocation policies, key relevant Executive Board decisions etc.) ;
- Understanding of Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming.
For every Child, you demonstrate :
UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
The functional competencies required for this post are :
- Formulating Strategies and Concepts (III) ;
- Analyzing (III) ;
- Relating and Networking (III) ;
- Persuading and Influencing (III) ;
- Applying Technical Expertise (III) ;
- Entrepreneurial Thinking (III).
View our competency framework at : Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.
Remarks :
- Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service ;
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.