Senior Adviser, Regional Strategic Partnerships, P-5, Education Cannot Wait Secretariat, Amman, Jordan

The Senior Adviser for Regional Strategic Partnerships will be based in Amman and report to the Director (Head of Secretariat), Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and provide critical support in the establishment of strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in the Middle East to maximize the impact of ECW's engagements. In this respect, the Senior Advisor will play a lead role in supporting the Director and the ECW team to design, plan and implement ECW supported programmes, and simultaneously leverage financial and technical support from donors and institutions in the Middle East.

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.

For every child, a future...

The resource mobilization targets for Education Cannot Wait (ECW) are substantively bigger and more challenging than the current capacity of ECW provides for. In five years, ECW is expected to mobilize $3.5 billion dollars, and yet have only one advocacy/communications/resource mobilization position at P-4 level based in Headquarters (HQs). It is thus imperative to strengthen resource mobilization capacity of ECW. Accordingly, this position was approved by the ECW EXCOM on 11 July 2017.

As current donors are largely traditional donors in Europe and the United States, it is equally imperative that outreach be made to the Gulf countries. In order to optimize such outreach, this position enables ECW to reach out to non-traditional donors in the Gulf. The job description is tailored for a position with close proximity to, and experience of, Gulf donors, who understands the Middle East and is skilled in guiding ECW supported programming towards results - to be presented through dialogue, effective engagement and communication with Gulf donors.

For more information on ECW, visit http://www.educationcannotwait.org/

How can you make a difference?

The Senior Adviser for Regional Strategic Partnerships will be based in Amman and report to the Director (Head of Secretariat), Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and provide critical support in the establishment of strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in the Middle East to maximize the impact of ECW's engagements. In this respect, the Senior Advisor will play a lead role in supporting the Director and the ECW team to design, plan and implement ECW supported programmes, and simultaneously leverage financial and technical support from donors and institutions in the Middle East.

Specifically, the Senior Adviser for Regional Strategic Partnerships will proactively lead on the identification of strategic partnerships with institutions, donors and development/fundraising opportunities in the region, particularly in the Gulf States; and build/maintain these partnerships to foster their active and visible engagement and contribution to the goals of the ECW fund.

This will involve:

1. Resource Mobilization leadership on investments from the Middle East
2. Technical guidance on ECW supported programming and coordination
3. Support resource mobilization and results monitoring
4. Facilitate collaborative Communications & Advocacy Strategy
5. Support overall management of ECW Secretariat

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one or more of the following disciplines: economics, statistics, finance, education, social sciences, public administration, or other related 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 University Degree.
  
  
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in programming, resource mobilization, coordination, planning, management and results reporting/M&E, humanitarian and development action, and related areas at the international level, including at least 7 years in crisis/emergencies. Experience in the Middle East is required.
  
  
• Relevant professional experience in development and humanitarian programming and management and humanitarian response in a UN system agency, NGOs or multilateral organization is required. Experience of working with Middle East donors, and foundations in crisis contexts, including working with diverse stakeholder groups or multi-stakeholder partnerships is highly desirable.
  

  Expected technical competencies include:

  o Resource Mobilization: familiarity with Middle East donors including state funds, regional funds, financial institutions/development banks and private sector organizations and networks, and good knowledge of new funding mechanisms in the region including traditional and non-traditional donors. A solid track record in fundraising for major programs and in securing high level and long-term commitments from donors to regional initiatives and humanitarian and development response. Ability to negotiate with donors to best align their financial contributions, and mobilize for joint fundraising to meet shared goals.

  o Engagement with partnerships: (e.g. UN System, Humanitarian Country Teams, Sector Wide Approaches, Global Partnership for Education, Education in Emergency Clusters, Education Provider Forums, Delivering as One, Inter-sectoral partnerships such as in ECD), as well as networking with other key partners. Good knowledge of UN capacity assessment processes and models for implementing partners. Solid experience and knowledge in partnerships models that can be applied by the UN in crisis settings for engaging traditional and non-traditional donors, private sector organizations, and foundations.

  o Development and humanitarian program development, management, and coordination: Solid knowledge of UN programme and project appraisal and review processes and models. Familiarity with program and project implementation modalities in crisis situations, and solid track record in offering management, partnership, and design related solutions to advance and align development and humanitarian responses in contexts of fragility. Ability to provide input and guidance in the design of UN and NGO programmes in partnership with governments, private sector, civil society organizations, and academia. Familiarity with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and United Nations Development Assistant Framework (UNDAF) related planning frameworks, and ability to align with priorities of Middle East donors and foundations. Ability to translate analytical findings, evidence, and lessons learnt on the ground. Solid knowledge of development models to promoting and strengthen resilience of people in Crisis settings.

• Familiarity in Middle Eastern culture is required.
  
  
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
  
  
• Fluency in English and Arabic (written and oral) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
  
  

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty,

            UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.