Senior Adviser (Partnerships Public Sector), P-5, Panama City, Panama, #99429

Under the general supervision of the Regional Director, the incumbent of this post is responsible for the conceptualization, planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF engagement with public sector partners and regional bodies. As such, the incumbent is responsible for building relationships with public sector stakeholders and regional bodies. The incumbent is also responsible for supporting senior management teams in the Regional Office and in Country Offices in developing strategic partnerships in their efforts to leverage resources to achieve results for children in the region. In addition, the Partnership Advisor will develop relevant materials and tools needed to disseminate information, and provide advice to UNICEF staff on inter-agency issues, in particular on UN Coherence at the regional level.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. 

We are looking for an experienced public partnerships manager, motivated and with the proven ability to develop, enhance and nurture effective partnerships with public stakeholders in LAC, including governmental, intergovernmental, academia and civil society organizations, which can be leveraged to advance children's rights and well-being in LAC.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

Under the general supervision of the Regional Director, the incumbent of this post is responsible for building, strengthening and nurturing relationships with public sector stakeholders at the regional/sub-regional and country levels. As such, the incumbent is also responsible for the conceptualization, planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF engagement with public sector partners. The incumbent is also required to support senior management teams in the Regional Office and in Country Offices in developing/strengthening strategic partnerships in their efforts to achieve results for children in the region. The Partnership Advisor may be required to develop relevant materials and tools needed to disseminate information, and provide advice to UNICEF staff on inter-agency issues, in particular on UN Coherence at the regional level.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: engage public stakeholders, organize, coordinate and/or support representation activities to secure support for; implement policy and achieve objectives of the organization; undertake or supervise relevant research activities, advise on political opportunities and risks, provide information to and seek views of relevant internal and external stakeholders on the organization's policies, programmes, practices, challenges or issues regarding children's rights and well-being in LAC; advise on appropriateness, style, procedure and protocol in respect of the organization's formal communications and other documents regarding public stakeholders; advise on issues affecting the organization's external relations; represent the organization as required in receiving official visitors; and represent the organization within the region.

Key Expected Results

1. New and innovative partnerships -possibly multi-stakeholder ones – are established to advance regional initiatives, in coordination with Country Offices, PFP, and National Committees are identified, designed and nurtured.
2. Key counterparts are fully informed of UNICEF's strategic priorities for the region, recognize the value added of UNICEF, and consider UNICEF as a partner of choice in the LAC region.
3. Comprehensive and up to date mapping of key strategic opportunities within the LAC Region for leveraging results for children. This includes opportunities for advocating for indigenous minorities.
4. Country Offices within the region are informed of strategic opportunities for leveraging results for children and receive guidance on how to maximize them and are supported in a timely and systematic manner to seize identified opportunities.
5. Effective coordination and support provided for the preparation of advocacy events and meetings in the region pursuing maximum participation of key influencers/decision makers.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

1. Implement and manage plans and activities with the objective of increasing engagement and support from the identified public stakeholders, including but not limited to funding.
2. Monitor, analyze and report on perspectives on the global development agenda as it is expressed in the multilateral arena, including at the regional and sub regional level, and track trends and directions which directly or indirectly affect children, with special attention to the situation in LAC.
3. Advise senior management of developments and trends and report back to relevant UNICEF senior staff on meetings attended, with advice on and recommendations regarding follow-up activities.
4. Prepare comprehensive and substantive analyses, briefs, notes, statistics, and other information requirements for senior management's meetings with Minister level counterparts, senior Member State officials, parliamentarians, or heads of major institutions.
5. Guide and support field offices on opportunities for partnership, including providing advice on improving the quality of reporting.
6. Arrange and/or attend relevant meetings on assigned Member States/region to present, represent, and promote UNICEF's goals, positions, and resource requirements.
7. Serve as regional focal point of technical expertise. Monitor developments in technical area, as well as political and social developments, at the national and regional/sub regional levels. Synthesize best practices public sector partnering.
8. Represent and advocate for UNICEF in meetings with high level and senior government officials, agencies, NGOs, and donors. Negotiate and advocate programme goals and strategies, identify strategic alliances, and influence policy development to facilitate implementation of regional and country strategies. Contribute to better consultative processes and networking with donors.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Law, Political Science, Human Rights, Development, International Finance, Public Relations, or other relevant disciplines.
• Minimum ten years of solid and successful professional work experience in all aspects of advisory support in the area of public partnerships, resulting in recognized expertise in the technical area.
• Demonstrated experience in political engagement with government and civil society organizations, particularly with regional and sub regional organizations is required.
• Previous work experience in developing countries is required.  Experience/Familiarity with emergencies is an asset.
• Fluency in English and Spanish required. Knowledge of another UN language, especially French and Portuguese, is an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values 

• Commitment 
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication (Level 3)
• Working with People (Level 3)
• Drive for Results (Level 3)

Functional Competencies

• Leading and Supervising (Level 2)
• Analyzing (Level 3)
• Deciding and Initiating Action (Level 3)
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts (Level 3)
• Relating and Networking (Level 3)
• Persuading and Influencing (Level 2)

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.