Partnerships Specialist, NO-3, Fixed Term Position, #00118353, Antananarivo, Madagascar (Open for the nationals of Madagascar only)

Organizational Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. We are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

Job Purpose

The Partnerships Specialist supports the Chief of Communications and Advocacy and senior management in advancing UNICEF’s engagement with the private sector in Madagascar. The role focuses on developing partnerships with companies, foundations, and business networks to drive sustainable impact for children. This involves mobilizing financial and non-financial resources for UNICEF programmes and promoting responsible business practices that advance children’s rights. The specialist will map opportunities, cultivate collaborations, and develop annual engagement plans aligned with UNICEF’s Business for Results (B4R) framework, identifying priority partners and resource mobilization strategies. The position also involves screening inquiries, monitoring the external environment, and providing strategic support for corporate engagement.

Responsibilities

Map private sector partnership opportunities in Madagascar and proactively identify, cultivate, and promote collaborations with companies, corporate foundations, and business networks. Work with UNICEF colleagues to identify programme funding needs and develop partnerships that mobilize financial and non-financial resources in support of UNICEF priorities. Develop and implement annual private sector partnership engagement plans aligned with UNICEF’s Business for Results (B4R) framework, identifying priority partners, engagement opportunities, and resource mobilization strategies to support UNICEF programme priorities. Screen and manage inquiries from potential private sector collaborators and facilitate engagement with relevant UNICEF teams. Monitor the external environment and private sector landscape to identify emerging opportunities, risks, and trends, and share timely analysis to inform UNICEF partnership strategies. Provide strategic, logistical, and programmatic support to senior management and other UNICEF staff in corporate engagement and interaction with assigned partners. Develop and maintain deep knowledge and familiarity with current and prospective partners and relevant stakeholders, contributing to a database of key contacts and to UNICEF’s base of knowledge on partnership and resource mobilization. Enable private sector and relevant policy makers on children’s rights in a business context and how to ensure their respect as part of corporate strategies. Identify trend topics in Madagascar for private sector capacity building (such as family friendly policies) that enable private sector understanding for children’s rights and its own impact, aligned with the UNICEF Child Rights and Business agenda. Expand UNICEF’s network of private sector interlocutors by cultivating relationships with companies, corporate foundations, business associations, and economic leaders, strengthening UNICEF’s positioning as a partner of choice for private sector engagement. Act as a focal point for identification and pursuit of opportunities for private sector related outreach, engagement, policy influence, and collaboration, including on how to anticipate and respond to partners’ concerns and priorities, ensure that UNICEF’s interests, perspectives, and knowledge are taken into account in relevant policy and institutional processes addressing the private sector landscape, and ensure that they are fully aware of UNICEF’s perspectives, policies, priorities, and capabilities. Contribute to the development and management of initiatives for high-level advocacy outreach, including for UNICEF’s Senior Management. Contribute to the development of new partnership and resource mobilization practices and approaches, including proposal, reporting, and monitoring stages of partnership agreements, as well as analyzing current trends within designated partners and formulating recommendations for strategy approaches and message development. Contribute to strategies for engagement and the development of communications products to enhance UNICEF’s visibility vis-à-vis private sector actors and influence with existing and prospective partners and key stakeholders by providing analysis of the current environment and trends and formulating recommendations for strategy approaches and message development. Work closely with UNICEF’s colleagues to ensure that policy advocacy and outreach is strongly grounded in the experience and insights of UNICEF’s programmes. Contribute written inputs for communications instruments that best inform and influence decision makers.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of professional experience in partnership development, resource mobilization, corporate social responsibility, or a related field, with a focus on the private sector. Experience in developing countries, particularly in Madagascar, is an asset.

Skills

Partnership development and management, Resource mobilization, Corporate engagement, Strategic planning, Communication and advocacy, Networking and relationship building, Market analysis, Project management, Children's rights, Business development, Negotiation skills, Cross-cultural communication

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