UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Advocate

UNICEF Rwanda is based in Kigali. It is committed to realizing the rights of all children to help them build a strong foundation and have the best chance of fulfilling their potential. UNICEF Rwanda is currently running a Country Programme 2018-2024, and its goal is to improve the health, nutritional status, protection, education, and wellbeing of children, focusing on those who are poor, vulnerable, or at risk.

UNICEF Rwanda is expanding and exploring new opportunities to engage with the private sector in Rwanda as a tool to accelerate results for children and to align with the UNICEF – Government of Rwanda country programme. UNICEF Rwanda has a comprehensive Private Sector Engagement (PSE) strategy that outlines its vision and goals as well as key actions to be taken. UNICEF is committed to accelerating results for children and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting organization-wide engagement with businesses. This PSE is also aligned to the global strategy of Business for Results (B4R) and child rights and business engagement guidelines.

This temporary Assignment will support the Communication Advocacy and Partnerships Section to further develop and strengthen partnerships with the private sector actors in Rwanda to achieve results for children and support the development and implementation of the revised private-sector engagement strategy.

To learn more about UNICEF work in Rwanda, please visit the country website https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/RWA/ or watch this video about UNICEF work in Rwanda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7B91m5Yzoc

How can you make a difference?

You will be responsible for further developing and strengthening partnerships with the private sector actors in Rwanda to achieve results for children and support the development and implementation of the revised private-sector engagement strategy.

Please see the area under your responsibility:

The Partnerships Officer will be responsible for the following:

• Initiate new partnerships: support in the development of new country-level partnerships with the private sector, including prospect research, networking, and exploratory meetings with potential partners aligned to country office’s priorities. A strong network of private sector contacts and knowledge of the business sector in Rwanda are required.
• Contribute to the development of a private sector engagement strategy 2024 -2029: by supporting the country office in engaging with businesses programmatically and promoting child rights and business principles in the private sector to enhance programme effectiveness.
• Manage existing partnerships: manage and develop existing partnerships with private sector actors and apex bodies with the goal of maintaining and growing partnerships.
• Networking: organize meetings and forums with CEOs and other senior business leaders as needed, to discuss priority issues for children. Develop and maintain a contact list of key individuals, groups, and organizations whose support can be leveraged to achieve results for children.
• Develop and adapt materials for use in fundraising opportunities and advocacy interactions in collaboration with other CAP and programme colleagues.

To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields is required: Business Administration, Development studies, Marketing, international relations, political science, communications, or another relevant technical field. A master’s degree in the mentioned fields would be an asset.
• A professional qualification in project management is strongly recommended
• Work Experience: A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required:  Partnerships, private sector development, communication, public advocacy, or another related area
• Experience working with the private sector in Rwanda.
• Experience in initiating and managing partnerships with both public and private stakeholders.
• Experience with establishing and operationalizing multi-stakeholder platforms.
• Experience in evidence-based policy advocacy.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is required. Knowledge of French is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.