Partnerships Specialist

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 a Champion How can you make a difference? You will lead and strengthen UNICEF’s engagement with foundations and faith- and membership-based organisations by driving strategic partnerships, maximising income and influence, and fostering collaboration across global and local markets, support capacity building, pipeline development, and the implementation of innovative partnership strategies that enhance sustainable fundraising and advance UNICEF’s mission for children. Main responsibilities: • Partnership Strategy (FMBO and Foundations) – Develop, strengthen, and expand partnerships with faith-based organizations, foundations, and other strategic stakeholders to support UNICEF's fundraising and engagement goals. • Advocacy & Global Engagement Platforms – Lead advocacy initiatives, coordinate partner participation in global forums, and align partner engagement with UNICEF's policy and advocacy priorities. • Fundraising & Pipeline Development: Strategic support for NatComs, Country Offices, Regional Offices, Centers of Excellence, and Thematic areas– Support fundraising efforts by developing donor pipelines, cultivating strategic prospects, and providing guidance to National Committees, Country Offices, and Regional Offices on resource mobilization strategies. If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: TOR Partnerships Specialist P3 TA Rome Italy.pdf To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… Minimum requirements: Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Marketing, international development, fundraising, theology, religious studies and other related fields. A Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree)in a relevant area combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience spanning at least two of the following areas is required, with strong preference for candidates demonstrating all three: fundraising, advocacy and faith-based engagement • experience in partnership management, stakeholder engagement, international development, global partnerships, prospect research, capacity building, pipeline development and any other related fields. • experience with faith-based organisations, experience with high-value gifts fundraising, experience navigating diverse religious contexts Demonstrated experience combining fundraising, advocacy and engagement with faith-based or values-driven partners, in an international development context. • Relevant, demonstratable professional experience in fundraising, including partnership development and cultivation of high-value or strategic partnerships is required. • A minimum of four years working in a professional fundraising role. • Demonstrated experience in advocacy, public engagement, or policy-influencing initiatives, including engagement in global or multilateral platforms is required. • Demonstrated experience working with faith-based organisations or engaging faith actors is required, including an understanding of faith-driven partnership dynamics and sensitivities including experience navigating diverse religious contexts at global or regional level. • Familiarity with global fundraising landscape and experience in cultivating high-value gifts is required. Skills: • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, both written and verbal is required. • Must possess a strong work ethic, have confidence, take initiative and be an enthusiastic team player. • Proven ability to prioritize; work independently; handle multiple, complex tasks simultaneously; and to generate pragmatic solutions to challenges. • Strong customer service approach to interactions with colleagues and partners; ability to navigate complex environments and help build relationships with a variety of stakeholders. • Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel, and with experience in using complex databases. • Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Desirables: • Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or fluency another language is an asset. • experience with global policy forums, experience in cross-market collaboration, experience in thought leadership and advocacy, UNICEF/UN experience, Knowledge of the Global Philanthropy Landscape, CRM & Database Management, International Development Expertise • Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 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 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. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates 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. 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.