Partnerships Manager, International Professional P4, Dubai, Gulf Area Office

The UNICEF Gulf Area Office (UNICEF GAO) is unique in its mandate. It is accountable for providing programmatic support to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. In addition, it identifies, cultivates and sustains partnerships with Gulf-based partners to generate resources for the organization globally. UNICEF has a role to play in ensuring rapid development in the Gulf is child sensitive and child focused and that children remain at the heart of the national development dialogue.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

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.

Working for UNICEF

For every child, fair chance

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.

How can you make a difference?

You will be part of the Fundraising and Partnerships unit of the Gulf Area Office. The primary focus of this unit is to maximize public and private revenue in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to support UNICEF efforts around the world. The organization's vision is to harness the potential of the foundations community to increase financial investments for children, to exchange knowledge around joint areas of technical expertise, and to engage their voice in advocating for children's rights. UNICEF seeks to work in partnership with the world's leading and emerging foundations on causes of mutual importance, to achieve sustainable change at scale for every child. The partnership manager reports to the Fundraising Manager.

The Partnerships Manager will work with the Fundraising Manager in Dubai, and the Fundraising Specialists in the gulf to support the management and prospecting of high-level partnerships with foundations in the Gulf region. The post holder will also facilitate UNICEF engagement in foundation/philanthropic networks, with a view to adding UNICEF's voice, expertise and thematic content to the global dialogue on issues affecting children, as well as organize thematic roundtable events.

1. Partnership management: Works with the Fundraising Manager in Dubai, and the fundraising specialists in the gulf to manage specific programme requirements of high-level partnerships and prospects, including, but not limited to:

        *Identifying suitable proposal content, country office programmes, thematic fields and programmatic linkages to assist in the                    development, review, and update of relationship cultivation strategies and action plans.
        * Leading content coordination to help negotiate partnership agreements and extensions, as required.
        * Assisting in the development, review and update of relationship cultivation strategies and action plans.
        * Organizing periodic strategy meetings with partners to help negotiate partnership agreements and extensions, as required. 
        *Monitoring and coordinating partner contributions to ensure all funds are efficiently and effectively utilized by UNICEF                             programmes.
         * Organizing and occasionally accompanying partners on high-value field trips to increase their understanding and commitment to             UNICEF programmes.
         * Monitoring implementation by UNICEF country offices of donor agreements/projects and alerting the Fundraising Manager in                  Dubai, the two Partnerships & Fundraising Managers in Qatar and Kuwait, and the Fundraising Specialist in KSA of related issues.

2. Grants management: Works with relevant country offices, Regional Offices, PFP and HQ divisions to prepare programme proposals for Foundations, process grants, monitor progress, and provide quality oversight on appropriate reports for the managed partnerships in a timely manner.

3. Philanthropy networks and convening events: Facilitates the organization of UNICEF participation in foundation/philanthropy networks, and helps to organize thematic roundtables and convening events, with a view to adding UNICEF's voice, expertise and thematic content to the global dialogue on issues affecting children.

4. Communication: Collaborates with communication colleagues in the office, the region, PFP and HQ to develop communication plans and activities aimed at highlighting needs and maximizing visibility for existing Foundations partnerships.

5. Knowledge management and capacity building: Supports knowledge management by capturing and sharing best practice experiences of working effectively with high-level Foundation partners. Facilitates capacity building work with offices in the region on partnerships and fundraising work with Foundation.

6. Business analysis: Undertakes and supports financial analyses of foundation income, including projections and actuals, informs market-specific financial analyses and opportunities, and provides inputs on pertinent trends and influences on the foundation sector.

7. Coordination: Serves as focal point on communications and joint planning and reporting issues with PFP's Global Foundations team in Geneva and New York.

8. Performs any other duties and responsibilities assigned

The role will provide critically needed project management leadership and support dedicated to existing high value foundation partnerships and to the development of new foundation partnerships alongside the Fundraising Manager in Dubai, the two Partnerships & Fundraising Managers in Qatar and Kuwait, and the Fundraising Specialist in KSA. Effective implementation of the above tasks will help to contribute toward UNICEF's Global Foundations Strategy and it will help to drive the organization's work toward meeting its financial targets in the Foundations channel.

A key driver of success will be supporting organizational efforts to drive 'new business' to the foundations portfolio, while ensuring alignment in approaches across key markets in the Gulf and among other income channels, including major donors and corporates.

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

• An advanced university degree is required in international development, public or business administration, or another relevant technical field.
• A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A minimum of eight years of experience in either the private or public sectors is required. 
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in direct relationship cultivation and management of high value partnerships
• Securing partnerships with a value in excess of $5 million and/or managing proposals and reporting preparation processes is an asset
• Sound knowledge of UNICEF programmes is highly desirable, along with understanding of programme management, monitoring, and evaluation practices. 
• Excellent writing skills are required
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate¦

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

The competencies required for this post are:

Core competencies:

Drive for Results (Level III)
Working with People (Level II)
Communications (Level III)

Functional Competencies:

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

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.