Partnerships Manager (Financial Innovation Lab) (P-4), #103442, PFP - Geneva, Switzerland

Under the general guidance of the Chief, Global Philanthropy, the incumbent will be responsible for managing, developing, coordinating, negotiating and monitoring UNICEF’s Financial Innovation Lab, financial innovation initiatives and public-private partnerships.

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.

For every child, a geographically mobile & diverse workforce

The Private Sector Fundraising (PSFR) section within PFP works with National Committees, HQ and UNICEF country offices to maximize income and drive income growth. There are five units within the PSFR section. The purpose of the Global Philanthropy team within PSFR is to drive income growth from philanthropists and the foundation sector. Philanthropists and foundations are critically exposed to new innovative ways of giving including impact investing, venture philanthropy, social impact bonds, and mission-related investing. These areas of philanthropy are all experiencing significant growth, and UNICEF seeks to explore and leverage such new opportunites through the establishment of a Financial Innovation Lab (FIL).  The FIL will be a key enabler to allow UNICEF to achieve its foundation and major growth goals to more than $ 700 million by 2021.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the general guidance of the Chief, Global Philanthropy, the incumbent will be responsible for managing, developing, coordinating, negotiating and monitoring UNICEF’s Financial Innovation Lab, financial innovation initiatives and public-private partnerships. Responsibilities will also include guiding regional and country offices as well as National Committees in the development of strategies for mobilizing resources, devising engagement plans, and building successful financial innovation partnerships.

The Partnerships Manager will design and develop the strategic plan for PFP’s work on Financial Innovation and work with the international network of fundraisers through UNICEF's National Committees and Country Offices. The incumbent is responsible for driving the growth of, and integration of, Financial Innovation fundraising initiatives with private sector engagement in UNICEF. He/she will provide leadership and coordination for UNICEF in this fast-moving and promising area.

The post-holder will build strong relationships with staff within partner organizations; share the results and experience of the partnerships to drive best practice on financial innovative initiatives within UNICEF. The role will coordinate the development of these new areas with PFP’s PSFR Section, working collaboratively with the Public Partnerships Division (PPD), Supply Division, Finance, National Committees, and other internal and external partners--creating and supporting financing collaborations and coalitions to benefit UNICEF.

Key Functions:

Strategic framework for financial innovation: 

Work with the Chief, Global Philanthropy and colleagues from other divisions to develop, lead, implement and monitor a global strategy plan for the Financial Innovation Lab. Tasks include exploring new initiatives and public private partnerships that support fundraising goals and further engagement with donors, and obtaining buy-in from senior leadership and colleagues at HQ, PFP, regional/country offices and National Committees.

Provide overall vision, guidance and management for UNICEF’s Financial Innovation Lab hosted by PFP to foster new partnerships and further engagement with donors to help position UNICEF as a leader in this area. Ensure Financial Innovation opportunities are leveraged across the organization and that fundraising opportunities are seized in line with the global strategy.

New initiatives, mechanisms and partnerships: 

Identify and prioritize potential fundraising initiatives and innovative financial mechanisms (i.e. pool funds, revolving funds, SPVs, development impact bonds, pre-financing bonds, among others) at the global level and within key markets with potential to maximize income for UNICEF. Work collaboratively within other UNICEF divisions and offices (HQ, regional/country offices and National Committees) on partnership-specific approaches, and pilot new mechanisms, initiatives and partnerships for UNICEF. Focus investments on markets with high potential to maximize results. Manage and coordinate the Internal Technical Advisory & Coordination Group on Financial Innovation and launch the External Advisory Group on Financial Innovation with key external partners in 2018.

Existing initiatives: 

Strengthen, deepen and promote existing financial innovative initiatives within the UNICEF family for private sector engagement, including developing and executing initiative-specific engagement plans, establishing and maintaining information flows, reviewing and assessing existing initiatives and partnerships, and help renewing partnerships and collaborations focused on financial innovation. Develop and build relationships with Financial Innovation Lab partners, technical advisers and prospects to maximize long term benefit to UNICEF

International coordination and information sharing: 

Ensure coordination and information flows around financial innovation are established and put in place within UNICEF HQ Divisions, regional/country offices and National Committees. Provide examples of best practice and incentives for replication in the wider network. Ensure the sharing of key learning's and best practice through the intranet, dedicated workshops, or other mechanisms such as webinars. Oversee the development of user-friendly learning modules and tool kits on key areas of Financial Innovation.

Capacity building: 

Work with National Committees, HQ and regional/country office colleagues to increase knowledge on Financial Innovation and how to increase skills for engaging with financial partners. Provide guidance in developing, negotiating and implementing partnerships on financial innovation in line with UNICEF policies and guidelines.

Business analysis:

Manage financial analyses of financial innovation mechanisms, including projections and provide inputs on pertinent trends and technical support on Financial Innovation.

Institutional priorities:

Remain informed of key institutional priorities in order to position the Global Philanthropy team to proactively engage with existing and potential partners around such priorities. Participate in external and internal events and developments globally in the field of Financial Innovation securing access to cutting edge expertise within the area. Maintain a network of leading partners in the area.

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

Education:

Advanced university degree in business administration, finance, management, or a related field is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience in a combination of the following: public private partnerships and grant-making bodies and multilateral organizations, and / or innovative finance within an institutional context.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in financial innovation for development within UNICEF, UN agencies, or multi-lateral funding agencies.
• Familiarity with UNICEF programmes is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Fluency in additional UN Languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is highly desirable.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

- Drive for Results (Level III)
- Communication (Level III)
- Working with People (Level II)

Functional Competencies:

- Relating and Networking (Level III)
- Persuading and Influencing (Level II)
- Formulating Strategies and Concepts (Level II)
- Entrepreneurial Thinking (Level II)
- Planning and Organizing (Level II)
- Analyzing (Level II)

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

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

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.