Communication Specialist (Partnerships), P-3, Polio Eradication Programme, New York, USA # 128587 [temporary appointment: 364 days]

As Communication Specialist (Partnerships) you will lead the management of an appropriate communications and visibility for the financial contribution of the European Investment Bank/European Union (EIB/EU) and other donors, and support UNICEF’s polio resource mobilization and advocacy goals. This position will have an impact on UNICEF’s public representation with donors and other external stakeholders and partners. You will drive effective partnerships management communications and donor visibility strategy implementation in key markets and work collaboratively with colleagues across teams and with external partners.

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, Health

Polio, the deadly viral disease that was once the leading cause of paralysis among children worldwide, is close to being eradicated. Since 1988, the number of children affected by polio has reduced by 99.9 per cent. But the challenges in the final frontiers of polio eradication are the toughest yet. Wild polio is now endemic only in two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, variant forms of the poliovirus are causing multiple outbreaks in countries across Africa and parts of Asia, paralysing hundreds of children every year.    

UNICEF and partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) are making every effort to reach every child with the polio vaccine, especially focusing on the most vulnerable and polio high risk communities. As one of GPEI’s core partners, UNICEF leads on vaccine supply and management, delivering over one billion doses of polio vaccine, helping vaccinate over 400 million children globally against polio every year. Another key area of our work is on building trust in vaccines using evidence based social behaviour change approaches, engaging with local communities to motivate caregivers to vaccinate their children against polio.

Strategic Communication and Resource mobilization are also a key area of UNICEF’s work within the GPEI, that includes managing strategic donors partnerships in relations to adequalty financing the implementation of the ‘Polio Eradication Strategy 2022–2026: Delivering on a Promise.’ The incumbent, as a key member of the UNICEF Polio Resource Mobilization, Finance, and Communications (RMFC) workstream, will be responsible in supporting strategic donor communications, resource mobilization and advocacy, and partnership strategies and donor visibility aimed at securing political and financial commitment towards global polio eradication efforts. She/he will serve as a member of the Resource Mobilization Group (RMG) and the Global Communication Group (GCG), contributing to effective communications for partnerships within GPEI, thus strengthening UNICEF’s leadership role in communications, resource mobilization and advocacy.

How can you make a difference? 

As Communication Specialist (Partnerships) you will lead the management of an appropriate communications and visibility for the financial contribution of the European Investment Bank/European Union (EIB/EU) and other donors, and support UNICEF’s polio resource mobilization and advocacy goals. This position will have an impact on UNICEF’s public representation with donors and other external stakeholders and partners.

You will drive effective partnerships management communications and donor visibility strategy implementation in key markets and work collaboratively with colleagues across teams and with external partners on the following:

1. Communications for partnership

• Under the supervision of the Polio Communications Specialist, P4, and in close consultation and collaboration with UNICEF’s Public Partnerships Division’s advocacy and communication team based in Brussels,  lead the management of communications and visibility of the financial contribution of the  European Investment Bank/European Union (EIB/EU) in strict adherence to the EU and EIB visibility requirements and guidelines, and support other donor relations and communication as required, ranging from high-level events, field missions to social media campaigns – in partnership with UNICEF’s relevant internal divisions, sections and regional and country offices, as well as GPEI partners.
• Ensure timely and strategic donor visibility and recognition, and demonstration of the impact of their funding whenever and wherever possible.
• Support the production and dissemination of communications and advocacy related materials and information for donors, and provide inputs for communications products and materials that best inform and influence key decision makers

2. Donor relations and grant management

• Under the guidance and in consultation with the Senior Resource Mobilization (RM) and Advocacy Advisor and the Polio Resource Mobilization Manager, manage assigned partnerships within designated donor markets, i.e., develop proposals, grant agreements, manage contributions, correspondence, and donor report in coordination with relevant UNICEF divisions and GPEI partners.
• Support identifying and pursuing engagement, collaboration and outreach opportunities in close coordination with GPEI partners and other related divisions and sections within UNICEF.
• Update various financial management databases to ensure that all contributions are recorded appropriately, and that UNICEF complies with its reporting obligations
• Provides strategic, logistical and programmatic support to GPEI senior leadership and other UNICEF senior staff in corporate engagement and interaction with assigned partners.

3. Representation and contribution to the GPEI partnership

• Participate in the various GPEI groups, especially the Resource Mobilization Group, the Global Communication Group and related meetings and forums, contributing to effective communications and strengthened partnerships within GPEI, and visibility of UNICEF’s leadership role in advocacy and resource mobilization.
• Support preparation of briefing notes and background documents for donor events, meetings and missions as and when required

Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure overall success of the team’s efforts, as needed.

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

The following minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree in Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, International Development, Public Administration, Economics, Communication or other relevant fields.
• *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant international and/or national professional work experience in communication and advocacy, resource mobilization and partnership management.
• Skills: Excellent communications skills, verbal and written.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

The following desirables:

• Education:
  • Additional trainings in communication, fundraising and partnership management is an asset.
• Work Experience:
  • Proven experience in managing partnerships and implementing communication and donor visibility initiatives, as an asset
  • Prior experience working with the UN or other International Organizations an asset.
• Language Requirements:
  • Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered as an asset.
• Skills:
  • Diplomatic communication and negotiation skills to maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
  • In-depth knowledge of partnership development and resource mobilization and demonstrated ability to formulate innovative approaches in respect of fundraising and outreach- related activities.
  • Current knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation.

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 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, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.