Re-Advertised: Partnerships Specialist, (NO-3), Lilongwe, Malawi, #132462, Fixed Term. (Open to Malawian Nationals only)

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 Empowerment... 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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.

The UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2024-2028) envisages the progressive fulfilment of the rights to survival, development, education, protection and participation of all children, including adolescents, especially the most vulnerable and those at risk of being left behind, in an inclusive, resilient and protective environment. To this extent, UNICEF focuses on Child Survival and Development (Health, Nutrition and WASH); Education, Learning and Child Protection; Social Policy (Social Protection and Public Finance for Children); Gender Equality, Inclusion and Innovation within a robust evidence-informed environment.

How can you make a difference? 

The Malawi Country Office offers an exciting and rewarding career opportunity for you to join our dynamic Communication, Advocacy & Partnership team as Partnership Specialist where you will be responsible for supporting the office in achieving results for children by deepening strategic collaboration with key stakeholders and influencing their engagement in support of children. You will provide an interface for environmental scanning, knowledge exchange, resource mobilization and policy influence. You will also serve as focal point and resource for colleagues on partnership development. 

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief Communication, Advocacy & Partnership, in your role as Partnership Specialist, you will play a critical role in engaging partners, pursuing new funding opportunities and supporting the management of current partnerships. This work contributes to maintaining and enhancing UNICEF’s credibility and ability to deliver programme services that protect the rights of children and promote greater social equality to enable them to survive, develop and reach their full potential in society.

This position therefore offers a unique opportunity for a qualified, motivated and committed individual to profoundly impact and influence UNICEF’s mandate. By excelling in this role, you will contribute to the overall achievement of transformative results for children by delivering on the following key responsibility areas, but not limited to: 

• Identify, pursue and develop new partnership and resource mobilization opportunities (including public and private partnerships, innovative financing etc), maintain updated partner intelligence, screen new enquiries, and maintain relationship tracking tools.
• Lead or support negotiations and finalization of partnership agreements, donor contracts, and/or grant amendments, coordinating within the local office as well as globally.
• Strengthen relationships with various partners including facilitating communications and engagement with partners during implementation and completion of grants/projects.
• Design and implement partnership and resource mobilization strategies and annual work plans to support cost-effective delivery of results, in accordance with UNICEF’s global partnership strategy.
• Provide strategic and logistical support to senior management and staff in their engagement with public and private partners.
• Analyze external trends, risks, and opportunities to inform partnership strategies, policy influence efforts, and organizational decision-making.
• Oversee the preparation and finalization of timely, high-quality donor reports – ensuring alignment with the original or amended agreements.
• Perform 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.

You are encouraged to download the detailed job description in order to view the full role and its requirements  GJP - Partnerships Specialist Level 3.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• An advanced university degree (equivalent to a Master’s) is required in one of the following fields: international relations, political science, communications, international development, or another relevant technical field.

*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: resource mobilization, fundraising, partnerships,  external relations, public affairs, or other relevant area.
• Advanced knowledge and experience of partnerships development and resource mobilization.  This includes the development of proposals, developing and reviewing grant agreements and relationship development with international donors is essential.
• Experience in developing partnerships with key partners such as EU/ECHO, FCDO and other international development organizations is required.
• Strong experience in preparing proposals, briefs and other relevant partnership documentation is required.
• Ability and experience in identifying and evaluating potential partners aligned with UNICEF’s organizational strategy is required.
• Experience in developing fundraising strategies and/or plans is a strong asset.
• Experience in private sector and/or international financing institution partnerships, engaging high net worth individuals and foundations, and/or innovative financing are an asset.

Required technical knowledge and skills:

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and negotiation abilities.
• Current knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written.
• Strategic thinking.
• Good project management and problem-solving skills.
• Adaptability and proactive mindset.
• Strong networking and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious working relationships, both within and outside the organization.

Language:

• Fluency in English and a local language, with both strong verbal and written skills, are essential.

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: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

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, and (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. 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, breastfeeding breaks 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 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.

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. 

Visa residence requirements: For National Officer (NO) positions, internal candidates eligible to legally reside and work in a country, independently of UNICEF appointment, are eligible to apply i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

To effectively contribute to the delivery of results for the children of Malawi, the UNICEF Malawi Country Office operates within a dynamic and results-oriented setting. We foster an environment characterised by creativity, innovation, collaboration, teamwork, a commitment to professional growth, and a safe workspace. Consequently, we are actively searching for individuals who are driven to enact tangible change and dedicated to serving Malawi's children with resourcefulness, resilience, agility, and a commitment to professional excellence.