Partnerships Specialist

The Partnerships Specialist supports UNICEF Madagascar in advancing engagement with the private sector by developing partnerships with companies, foundations, and business networks to mobilize resources and promote responsible business practices that advance children’s rights. The role involves mapping partnership opportunities, managing collaborations, and providing strategic support to senior management.

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.
• 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.
• Expand UNICEF’s network of private sector interlocutors by cultivating relationships with companies, corporate foundations, business associations and economic leaders.
• Act as a focal point for identification and pursuit of opportunities for private sector related outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration.
• 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.
• 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.
• Engage companies in key sectors with high risks of children’s rights abuses to promote responsible business practices in accordance with international labor law and standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Children’s Rights and Business Principles.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor, including guiding, training, and coaching short-term staff, interns and consultants.

Requirements

• Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Political Science, Communications, International Development, International Relations, Law, Human Rights and any other related fields.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in private sector partnerships, programme management, corporate engagement, public affairs, external relations, labor law, human rights law and any other related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to develop new approaches for resource mobilization and partner outreach.
• Ability to speak in public and hold workshops or other capacity building formats addressing the business world.
• Ability to conduct sound policy and stakeholder analysis to inform partnership and engagement strategies.
• 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.
• Proficiency in English and Fluency in French is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or Malagasy language is desirable.
• Experience engaging the private sector on responsible business practices, sustainability, or the Children’s Rights and Business Principles (CRBP) is desirable.
• Basic knowledge of national and regional mandatory human rights and sustainability due diligence legislation is desirable.
• Understanding of basic human rights standards in international labor law and international guidelines around responsible business conduct, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and ILO Core Conventions is desirable.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is desirable.

Skills

• Public Sector Partnerships
• Programme Management
• Corporate Engagement
• Public Affairs
• External Relations
• Labour Law
• Human Rights
• Resource Mobilization
• Partner Outreach
• Public Speaking
• Workshop Facilitation
• Capacity Building
• Policy Analysis
• Stakeholder Analysis
• Diplomatic Communication
• Negotiation Skills
• Responsible Business Conduct
• Sustainability
• Children’s Rights and Business Principles
• Human Rights Due Diligence

Languages

English, French