Under the leadership of the Senior Advisor for Public and Private Sector Partnerships, this position aims to support the implementation and development of multi-country partnerships with the private sector that have financial and non-financial engagement modalities.
This position supports the participation of African companies, as well as key stakeholders such as platforms and associations and Country Offices (COs) in Business engagement and Child Rights and Business (CRB) initiatives that aim to advance programmatic goals. This position will also support COs in their evidence generation, CRB and business engagement strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation initiatives, as well as lead capacity building in the region.
Responsibilities
Partnerships Development and Support: Provide advice and support COs in the identification, development, and finalization of financial and non-financial partnerships/engagements or in holistic partnerships, including those which require CRB, advocacy or other non-financial elements. This includes due diligence, pitch development, and negotiation, particularly in relation to sensitive industries (e.g., Extractives). Interact directly with prospective partners in the region to develop strong financial and non-financial results within partnerships, and provide account management in order to steward and grow existing partnerships.
Accelerating Business Engagement: Support the implementation of UNICEF strategic guidance on business engagement, industry engagement, and broader CRB and advocacy/influence. Provide technical guidance to COs and the regional office on business engagement (income and influence). Conduct training, promote the use of business engagement and CRB tools, and document best practices.
Business Engagement, Influence and CRB Initiatives: Advise on Business engagement, influence, and CRB initiatives at the country level and lead on selected multi-country/regional initiatives with industry bodies, business industry associations, multi-stakeholder platforms, and Governments.
Advancing Programme Outcomes Through Business Action: Provide technical guidance, in collaboration with CO and RO colleagues, to businesses and relevant stakeholders on the integration of child rights considerations in their policies, practices, investments, and operations.
Integrating Business into Programmes: Provide technical support to COs in integrating business into the analysis and research that informs the Country Programme Document (CPD) including Situation Analyses, as well as the monitoring of reporting indicators for non-financial engagement.
Evidence Generation: Lead regional/multi-country and support country initiatives that aim to build evidence around the positive and negative impacts of business activities on children's rights to inform programming and strategic engagement.
Team Support: Provide support in other related tasks and larger partnership team objectives to ensure an integrated approach.
Qualifications and Requirements
Education: Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Development, Business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Public Administration, or related field is required.
Work Experience: At least five years of professional experience in sustainability, human rights, or children's rights is required.
Language Requirements: Proficiency in English is required.
Desirables:
Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
Direct experience in establishing and stewarding partnerships with the private sector in Africa is desirable.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts.
Core Values and Competencies
UNICEF Core Values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
Core Competencies:
Builds and maintains partnerships
Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
Drive to achieve results for impact
Innovates and embraces change
Manages ambiguity and complexity
Thinks and acts strategically
Works collaboratively with others
Nurtures, leads and manages people
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application through the official portal: Apply on UNICEF. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline on 24 Aug 2026 E. Africa Standard Time.
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