Public Partnership Specialist, P3, Fixed Term, PPD Brussels, Belgium

Overview

Contribute to UNICEF's advocacy efforts for children's rights and strengthen partnerships with the EU.

You have:

• An advanced university degree (Master's or higher) in social sciences, international relations, government and public relations, public or social policy, social or community development European or EU studies, or other related fields is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience at the international level or in a EU institution is required.
• Relevant professional experience in the European Parliament and/or proven strong familiarity and technical knowledge on the Institution is required.
• Work experience in developing countries or humanitarian settings is an asset.
• Fluency in English and French is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 74,649 USD and 97,747 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, a future

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does - in programs, in advocacy and operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children's rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance life - in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions - her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society's most disadvantaged citizens - addressing inequity - not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

The Public Partnerships Specialist will contribute to UNICEF's advocacy efforts for the promotion of children's rights and investment in children by the EU, and to strengthen UNICEF's partnership with the EU, S/he will be developing UNICEF's engagement with the European Parliament and support partnership with Permanent Missions of EU Member. States (EUMS) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). S/he will be expected to

1. identify and pursue opportunities to promote children's rights (particularly on external action/aid, public finance and thematic priorities), in line with existing UNICEF strategies;
2. deepen the collaboration with the European Parliament to influence key policies related to children, increase visibility and political space and promote meaningful mechanisms for child participation;
3. deepen strategic partnership with EUMS Permanent Missions to support the EU Presidency and key EUMS on children's issues;
4. monitor policy developments and provide political analysis on EU issues affecting children within and outside the EU. S/He may also serve as a focal point and resource for colleagues on specific thematic areas of strategic relevance for partnership development with the EU.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Under the overall guidance of the Director, the supervision of the Senior Adviser for advocacy and Policy and in close collaboration with other Senior Advisors and team members, the incumbent will support the office's senior management in maintaining and developing UNICEF's engagement with the European Parliament and support the partnership with Permanent Missions of Member States to the EU and other relevant stakeholders.

1. Gathers intelligence and monitors relevant policy and legislative developments in the European Parliament, particularly on external action, budgetary affairs, and thematic priorities of UNICEF.
2. Develops and maintains deep knowledge and familiarity with relevant European Parliament's Committees and other stakeholders. Supports UNICEF's partnership with the Intergroup on children's rights and the cabinet of the President. Expands strategically UNICEF's network of key interlocutors to advance children's rights in policies and legislation.
3. Supports senior management in the identification and pursuit of opportunities for public outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration with the European Parliament, including on how to. anticipate and respond to risks and promote emerging priorities. Ensures that UNICEF's interests, perspectives, and knowledge are taken into account in relevant policy and institutional processes. Contributes written inputs for legislative and non-legislative procedures and communication instruments that inform and influence decision makers. Contribute to strategies for engagement and the development of innovative partnerships with the European Parliament, including through the promotion of child participation.
4. Contributes to the development and management of initiatives for high-level outreach, including for UNICEF's Senior Management. Supports UNICEF's. Country Offices, Regional Offices, Divisions and National Committees connection to European Parliament's field visits, hearings or consultations. Works closely with UNICEF colleagues to ensure that policy advocacy and outreach is strongly grounded in the experience and insights of the programmes that UNICEF's supports.
5. Advise the Senior management on strategies to engage with key EU Member States and the EU Presidency. Support advocacy, liaison and the organization of events with Mission of Member States to the EU.
6. Performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to support the Office in reaching corporate priorities.

Impact of results

The Public Partnerships Specialist will identify strategic opportunities for engagement with the European Parliament and increase the impact of the advocacy work carried out by the Brussels office with EU lnstitutions.

Given the institutional role and increasing impact of the European Parliament, this contribution will facilitate and make more effective UNICEF's ability to influence EU policies, leverage resources for children and widen its partnership with the EU institutions.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social sciences, international relations, government and public relations, public or social policy, social or community development European or EU studies, or other related fields, is required. *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of 5 of relevant professional experience at the international level or in a EU institution is required. Relevant professional experience in the European Parliament and/or proven strong familiarity and technical knowledge on the Institution is required. Work experience in developing countries or humanitarian settings is an asset.
• Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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 male candidates from programme countries are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. 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.

Potential interview questions