Senior Adviser – Public Partnerships (P5), WCARO, Dakar, Senegal#103605

Job Number: 516260 | Vacancy Link

Locations: Africa: Senegal

Work Type: Fixed Term Staff

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, hope

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.

Job Organizational context:

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.

Purpose of the Job:

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.

The key end results are:

1. Partnerships with the public sector are broadened and expanded across the region to mobilize funding for UNICEF and leverage resources, including domestic resources for children.

2. Partnerships with the private sector are developed to leverage private investments and business sector support for the cause of children’s rights and to mobilize funds for UNICEF.

3. Alliances with regional inter-governmental bodies such as ECOWAS and ECCAS, and region-wide civil society networks are advanced to win the cause of children.

4. CO capacities are enhanced to nurture and manage public and private partnerships

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

Summary of results-based key functions/accountabilities:

1. 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:

• Provide clear and appropriate direction to the PFP Specialist and concerned COs on strengthening partnerships with the private sector;

• Oversee the dialogue with the Member States in the region and other regional bodies on common child rights priorities, drawing on the inputs of RO Programme Sections;

• Foster collaboration with new and existing civil society networks and partners to advance the cause of children’s rights, in collaboration with RO Programme Sections.

1. 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:

• Lead implementation of the Regional Resource Mobilization Strategy and Action Plan, in cooperation with COs;

• Ensure that dialogue and relations are maintained in a well-coordinated manner with priority donors and potential public and private sector partners, including IFIs, foundations, and corporate partners;

• Ensure clear policy direction for all private fundraising and partnership activities in compliance with UNICEF guidelines, rules and regulations.

1. 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:

• Oversee the development and use of tools and resources to support resource mobilization and the management of partnerships;

• Ensure proper staff capacity and skill level training and development within the region on public and private sector partnerships;

• Assure effective knowledge management, including sharing of lessons learned and taking good practice to scale.

1. 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:

• Supervise the preparation of comprehensive and substantive briefs and reports for the RD’s high level meetings with Government and Embassy officials;

• Ensure regular dialogue and information exchange with PPD and PFP;

1. 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.

2. Supervise and guide the work of a small team of staff.

Impact of Results:

Incumbent is responsible for proactively identifying and analyzing key opportunities and making recommendations for action which will have an impact on the follow-up actions by the Regional Office and the Country Offices. Untimely, incorrect or inadequate analysis and advice could lead to wasting of resources (time and money), missed opportunities to transform and strengthen UNICEF’s engagement in the region and ultimately missed opportunities to promote and strengthen children’s rights.

Competencies and level of proficiency required:

Core Values

• Commitment

• Diversity and inclusion

• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication (III)

• Working with people (III)

• Drive for results (III) Functional Competencies:

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts (III)

• Analyzing (III)

• Relating and Networking (III)

• Persuading and Influencing (III)

• Applying Technical Expertise (III)

• Entrepreneurial Thinking (III)

Recruitment Qualifications:

• Technical Knowledge

• 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.

Understanding of the Key Results for Children in the WCA region and its transformative solutions.

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 in the region would be an asset.

• Strong writing skills in English is required.

Closing Date Thu Sep 27 2018 01:55:00 GMT+0200 (heure d’été d’Europe centrale)

Apply: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=516260