The Position:

The Strategic Partnerships Specialist will be the corporate focal point to leverage on the potential of private foundations and philanthropic institutions for UNFPA, to increase their financial investment in the work and mission of the Organization and to engage the community of private foundations and philanthropy in innovative partnerships and advocacy.

The position is located in UNFPA Strategic Partnerships Branch (SPB), within the Division of Communications and Strategic Partnerships (DCS), and reports to the Chief of the Strategic Partnerships Branch.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Strategic Partnerships Specialist will work in the Strategic Partnerships Branch (SPB). SPB is a dynamic Team in charge of the corporate effort to ambitiously expand partnerships with private strategic partners, positioning UNFPA as the leading UN Agency on sexual and reproductive health and rights and the global Agenda for Women and Girls.

The portfolio represents a key asset of business development and growth in the UNFPA Strategic Partnerships Framework and for the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2022 – 2025. We, indeed, believe that partnerships with private foundations and philanthropy that share UNFPA’s vision will be one of the accelerators in making a lasting and positive impact in the life of women and girls.

Under the supervision of the Chief of SPB, the Specialist will implement a growth plan for the engagement of strategic partners in this field, mainly, but not exclusively, for resource mobilization, and for innovation and advocacy alliances. The Specialist will liaise across UNFPA teams and business units and will manage partnerships both directly at the global level and through focal points in UNFPA’s Regional and Country Offices.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree in business, public relations, marketing and communications, non-profit management or closely related fields is required.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 7 years of demonstrated professional experience, in the field of private strategic partnerships and fundraising required. Specific experience in the foundations and/or philanthropy portfolio is an advantage.
• Demonstrated success in directly identifying, cultivating and managing high value strategic partnerships with the private sector. Specific experience with private foundations and/or philanthropy is preferred.
• Knowledge of key markets for developing the portfolio of private partners, in areas which are strategic to position the global agenda for women and girls.
• Proven track record in directly securing funds and establishment of partnerships with private sector with a value in excess of $6 million yearly required. Specific fundraising experience with private foundations and/or philanthropy is preferred.
• Understanding of the innovative financing environment for non-profit organizations.
• Excellent communications, interpersonal relationships and writing skills.
• Ability to work in a dynamic team committed to delivering with excellent quality standards.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required; knowledge of another UN Language is desirable.