Consultancy title - Public Partnerships Consultant, 11.5 months, based in Brussels

The consultant will report to the Regional Partnerships Advisor in the MENA Regional Office, with a dotted reporting line to the Deputy/Senior Advisor Development in the Brussels office, the Public Partnership Consultant based in Brussels is responsible for supporting strategic positioning of UNICEF in the Middle East and North Africa region towards the European Commission and the European Parliament.

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.

For every child, commitment.

Consultancy title: Public Partnerships Consultant

Duration: 11.5 Months

Estimated Start Date: 1 July 2021 - 14 June 2022

Duty Station: Office Based - Brussels 

The Public Partnership Consultant position’s purpose is to support in the deepening of the collaboration with key stakeholders in the EU institutions and to support in the provision of an interface for environmental scanning, knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, and policy influence, especially with regards to the Southern Neighborhood Communication and the new Agenda for the Mediterranean. S/He may also serve as focal point and resource for colleagues on specific thematic areas of strategic relevance for partnership development. The key result is to ensure greater visibility for UNICEF MENA and influence in support of its mission.

How can you make a difference?

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.

With the above in mind, UNICEF is looking to recruit a Public Partnerships Consultant. The candidate is a seasoned professional in the field of external relations, in particular partnership development and resource mobilization. The quality of work and external communications performed by the Consultant directly impacts on the overall reputation of UNICEF. S/He follows established procedures but is expected to make recommendations on strategies for engagement and communications products. The Public Partnership Consultant is accountable for quality, substantive input and ability to project a competent and trusted image of UNICEF to partners.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks:

The consultant will report to the Regional Partnerships Advisor in the MENA Regional Office, with a dotted reporting line to the Deputy/Senior Advisor Development in the Brussels office, the Public Partnership Consultant based in Brussels is responsible for supporting strategic positioning of UNICEF in the Middle East and North Africa region towards the European Commission and the European Parliament.

KEY DELIVERABLES:

1. Monitor key developments within the European Commission and the European Parliament with the view of identifying key opportunities for advocacy, fundraising and beyond, for UNICEF in MENARO.
2. Develop mapping of key strategic opportunities advocacy, fundraising and beyond for UNICEF with the European Commission and the European Parliament.
3. Develop and implement the work plan in accordance with MENA´s Action Plan for Strengthening the Strategic EU Partnerships for Child Rights in the Middle East and North Africa, in order to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of results.
4. Develop new partnerships and resource mobilization with EU counterparts, working with UNICEF colleagues to identify partnership and resource mobilization needs and broker resource mobilization agreements to meet those needs.
5. Provide strategic, logistical and programmatic support to senior management and other UNICEF staff in corporate engagement and interaction with EU institutions.
6. Prepare background materials and briefing notes for senior regional staff for meetings with counterparts in the EC and EP.
7. Develop detailed analysis of the Country Plans (MIPs) and Regional programme and provide strategic entry points to COs for positioning UNICEF for EU programming process (2021-2027).
8. Provides timely advise and concrete support to the Regional Office colleagues and to the Country Offices in the preparation of funding proposals with adequate advance notice to allow for enough advance planning.
9. Provides support to country offices on development of proposals and negotiation of agreements.
10. Ensures systematic information sharing on policy developments in EC and EP with the Regional Office colleagues and the Country Representatives.
11. Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure the success of the team, including guiding, training, and coaching short-term staff, including interns and consultants, as needed.

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

• Education:
  • An advanced university degree is required in one of the following fields: international relations, political science, communications, international development, or another relevant technical field.
• Work experience:
  • A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public affairs, programme management, resource mobilization, external relations, or other relevant area.
• Technical knowledge:
  • Knowledge and experience with EU Institutions is an asset
  • Diplomatic communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
  • Current knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation. 
  • In-depth knowledge of partnership development and resource mobilization.
  • Demonstrated ability to formulate new approaches in respect of resources management and outreach- related activities.
  • Skill in the identification of new opportunities or requirements to meet challenges in the field and propose changes.
  • Excellent communications skills, verbal and written.
  • In-depth familiarity with political and governmental processes
  • Ability to conduct sound policy analysis
• Language: English is mandatory. French is an added asset.

Applicants are also required to indicate availability and financial quotation in USD to undertake the terms of reference above.

TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS: Consultancy based in Brussels.

Payment Schedule:

PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE:  Monthly

UNICEF will pay a lump sum payment monthly, based on submitted progress reports.  Workplan will be discussed and agreed upon with supervisor at the beginning of each month.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter
2. CV or P-11
3. Financial quote as a lump sum, inclusive of professional fees, travel/administrative/subsistence costs, if applicable
4. Names of three referees

Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

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.

UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

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