Programme Specialist (Business and Industry Engagement), P-4, Office of the Executive Director (OED), New York Headquarters

The Business and Industry Engagement Specialist is responsible for providing advice, analytics and strategic support to the Deputy Executive Director (DED), Field Result on UNICEF executive level engagement with key industries, with the aim of leveraging businesses’ core assets to achieve results for children. The person should keep current with market issues and changes that directly or indirectly impact children’s access to essential supplies. The focus is primarily health-related industries, but also includes nutrition, education, WASH and others. The Specialist will also support UNICEF’s initiative to scale up high impact innovations.

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, dedication

How can you make a difference?

The Business and Industry Engagement Specialist is responsible for providing advice, analytics and strategic support to the Deputy Executive Director (DED), Field Result on UNICEF executive level engagement with key industries, with the aim of leveraging businesses' core assets to achieve results for children. The person should keep current with market issues and changes that directly or indirectly impact children's access to essential supplies. The focus is primarily health-related industries, but also includes nutrition, education, WASH and others. The Specialist will also support UNICEF's initiative to scale up high impact innovations.

Your key functional accountabilities include:

1. Develop executive level engagement plans with key industries and companies, in consultation with Supply Division, as well as Private Fundraising & Partnerships:

• Develop methodology for determining when executive level engagement is needed, scope industries and companies, create annual engagement plan for DED listing all companies to be engaged with and when.
• For each company requiring executive level engagement, develop a company engagement strategy/briefing note including company profile, history of engagement, procurement, objectives of engagement, areas of shared value, sensitivities/risks, bios, financial information, recent news and other background, as relevant. Collate input from Supply Division (SD) and Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP) as needed.
• Organize executive level engagement meetings, join as needed, and ensure timely follow up afterwards.

2. Provide advice and analytics, including background materials and risk/opportunity assessments to the DED on engagement with industries and specific companies:

• In addition to the above planned engagements, when ad hoc requests for engagement in meetings/events come to the DED or for the Executive Director (ED), related to engagement with businesses and/or relevant stakeholders, provide guidance on participation, talking points, and outline any risks/opportunities of engagement.
• Review BNs provided by divisions (e.g. SD, Programme Division (PD), PFP).

3. Support achievement of Product & Market targets:

• Power of business & markets oversight board Terms of Reference (TORs) & secretariat coordination.
• Field queries and draft responses on issues related to products and markets (e.g. Antimicrobial Resistance, Breast-milk substitute products).
• Analysis and review of proposed strategies for country-specific product and market issues, including with Regional Offices (e.g. low-cost toilets in Asia and Africa).

4. Support the cross-organizational initiative for identifying and accelerating key innovations for scale, across HQ divisions, regions and countries:

• Secretariat for the innovations for scale initiative.

5. Stay current and share knowledge:

• Network with relevant industry groups, businesses and key partners and organizations for exploratory purposes or for analysis.
• Track developments on Product and Market issues of relevance to UNICEF and share on a regular basis with DED Field Results and other Directors.
• Coordinate survey to businesses (if deemed a priority).
• Coordinate industry forum at the General Assembly (GA) (if deemed a priority).

6. Any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.

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

• An advanced University degree in Economics, International Development, Business Administration or Management, or related field is required.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in either the public or private sector in a related area; including 5 years of experience working with at least one global product/market (required).
• An understanding or working knowledge of the UN or a similar organization/NGO is an added advantage.
• Experience in health-related markets is preferred (pharmaceuticals/vaccines).
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment and/or developing country context is required.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core Competencies:

• Leading and Supervising
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts
• Relating and Networking
• Persuading and Influencing
• Applying Technical Expertise
• Analyzing

Other:

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational and analytical skills and ability to multi-task in a high-pressure environment
• Computer skills; including internet navigation and various office applications

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.