Market Development Specialist

As a Market Development Specialist (P-3) based in Panama City, you will play a key role in driving private sector fundraising, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization initiatives that support UNICEF's mission across Latin America and the Caribbean. You will work with country offices, regional leaders, and global teams to identify growth opportunities, foster innovation, strengthen donor engagement, and maximize sustainable resources to create lasting change for children.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the strategic development of private sector fundraising (PSFR) and broader private sector engagement and resource mobilization across LAC PSFR Country Offices and emerging Country Operations under the guidance of the Market Development Manager (P4).
• Supports the maximization of results from private sector fundraising by contributing to a conducive environment and enablers for Fundraising and Partnerships, and the alignment of Private Sector Plans (PSPs) with country programme planning processes.
• Advises PFP Managers/Specialists and Country Offices to identify and implement opportunities for net income growth, funding diversification and enhanced efficiencies.
• Facilitates the dissemination and implementation of global PFP strategies, policies, procedures and guidance across Country Offices within the regional context.
• Identifies and promotes fundraising innovation and new approaches to partnerships (e.g. public-private leveraging) to accelerate private sector revenue growth, programmatic results and Country Office sustainability.
• Contributes to the broader work of the LAC PFP team to maximize private sector contributions to UNICEF programmes and the partnerships agenda in the region.
• Provides technical support to Country Offices in the development, updating, and implementation of Private Sector Plans (PSPs), including annual budgets, reporting cycles, and revenue allocation ensuring alignment between global and regional strategies and Country Offices context and priorities.
• Contributes to the optimization of fundraising investments and budgeting by supporting the preparation of PSFR affordability analysis, investment proposals, tracking allocation of PFP investment and revolving funds, and monitoring implementation and reporting.
• Monitors and analyzes PSFR performance across Country Offices, including analysis of results and expenses, identification of trends, strengths, and areas for improvement.
• Contributes to the strengthening of planning and financial monitoring, analysis, and reporting systems in the region ensuring compliance with procedures, planning cycle and reporting requirements.
• Facilitates knowledge sharing and documentation of lessons learned across Country Offices and with the global private sector network, promoting the application of best practices.
• Advises and supports Country Offices in implementing appropriate risk management practices related to PSFR and partnerships, including compliance with due diligence policies and procedures.

Requirements

• A completed advanced university degree (Master University Degree) in business management, marketing, finance, international development, social studies or another relevant technical field is required.
• At least 5 years relevant and progressively responsible professional work experience in private sector partnerships and fundraising (e.g. Individual Giving, Business, Philanthropy or Foundations), Resource Mobilization (e.g. private and public bilateral donors) or Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Expertise in Private Sector Fundraising and revenue growth.
• Proven track record in developing Strategic Partnerships.
• Demonstrated experience in Resource Mobilization and funding diversification.
• Strong expertise in Donor Engagement and relationship management.
• Strong analytical skills with expertise in Financial Analysis.
• Proven experience in Stakeholder Management across complex, multi-country environments.
• Fluency in English and intermediate Spanish is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French or Russian) is desirable.
• Experience developing or managing complex fundraising or resource mobilization operations and donor engagement strategies is a strong advantage.
• Experience of development or humanitarian work, country programme planning processes and experience working in programme countries is a strong advantage.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is an asset.

Skills

• Private Sector Fundraising
• Resource Mobilization
• Strategic Partnerships
• Donor Engagement Strategies
• Financial Analysis
• Stakeholder Management
• Fundraising Operations
• Revenue Growth Strategy
• Planning Monitoring and Evaluation
• Country Programme Planning
• Development Work
• Humanitarian Contexts
• Fundraising Strategies
• Relationship Management

Languages

English, Spanish