Consultancy (11.5 months, Part-time, 3 days a week): Strategic Marketing Consultant, Muslim Philanthropy, Global Philanthropy, Division of Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP)

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, hope.

UNICEF works for a world in which every child has a fair chance in life. It has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization – over 90 million since 1990 – and is the world’s largest provider of ready-to-use therapeutic food, a high-protein paste that can bring a malnourished child back to health within weeks. UNICEF also immunizes nearly 40% of the world’s children and when a natural disaster strikes, is already on the ground and ready to act.  UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF seeks a consultant with significant experience in Islamic philanthropy, including the technicalities in the receipt and administration of Zakat funding, to provide strategic advice and support the exploration of Zakat and Islamic finance mechanisms to benefit children. Today, Sharia-compliant financial assets are estimated at roughly US$2 trillion and UNICEF wishes to explore all opportunities to support our strategic goals.

They will assist the work of PFP in establishing UNICEF’s leadership in partnerships with FBOs, equip-ping fundraisers within National Committees and Country Offices and establishing partnerships with Islamic Organizations and Muslim Philanthropists.

This will also include the continuing marketing of the Global Muslim Philanthropy Fund for Children (GMPFC) developed with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). GMPFC was announced at an event during the 2019 UN General Assembly in New York, at which the Fund Charter was signed.  GMPFC aims to build an effective Shariah-compliant funding platform to help meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relating to children, through the efficient deployment of Muslim philanthropy (Sadaqah and Zakat) resources. 

MAIN TASKS

Management and coordination of assignment

• Work closely with the Global Philanthropy unit and other PFP units/sections, such as Individual giving, to broaden UNICEF’s engagement with the Muslim community through the development of a UNICEF Zakat compliant product.
• Ensure strategic engagement of key stakeholders and partners particularly in regard to high level marketing and partnership VIP events to be undertaken, mostly in majority Muslim countries. 
• Support direct outreach to leading individual UHNWI, foundation and faith-based organizations and religious institutions prospects. Lead engagement with, and secure support for UNICEF and the GMPFC from Zakat institutions, collectively and / or individually.
• Play an active role in discussions with regards to the formation of the project pipeline to be supported by GMPFC, particularly with regard to Shariah questions. Provide advice with regards to follow up Islamic Finance mechanisms benefiting UNICEF, building from GMPFC. 

DELIVERABLES

Expected results (measurable results)

Key deliverable for the consultant will be a monthly report detailing progress towards the following outcomes:

• Establishment of a UNICEF Zakat compliant framework and giving window launched for Ramadan 2021
• Global pipeline of Islamic FBOs and Muslim Philanthropists established with 10-20 lead prospects identified
• 2 or more partnerships confirmed with Muslim FBOs/HNWIs
• Lead development of GMPFC marketing and communications strategy to be presented at first meeting of GMPFC Governing Council expected in December 2020.
• 2-3 VIPe-events/webinars undertaken marketing the GMPFC fund with strong attendance from genuine prospects, 10-15 warm prospects identified, and cultivated with compelling donor propositions.
• Work in tandem with UNICEF country office and National Committee fundraisers to jointly follow up and secure major philanthropic donors confirmed to GMPFC, with 1 at least giving at GMPFC Governing Council threshold of $ 10 million.
• Explore Islamic finance mechanisms with private Islamic finance institutions (e.g. Waqaf, Sukuk) with at least one such mechanism beyond design phase and in pre-marketing with potential investors.

ESTIMATED DURATION OF THE CONTRACT AND PROPOSAL

• 11.5 months (part-time, 3 days a week), tentatively starting on 9 November 2020.

REPORTING TO  

• The consultant will report directly to the Global Philanthropy unit, within PFP Geneva. The main supervisor is the Fundraising Manager (Membership & Faith-Based Giving).

WORKPLACE

• The consultant may work remotely, with periodic travel to UNICEF offices, the UAE and to regional workshops and gatherings and partner meetings. 
• Specific travel plans will be defined as needed.  The Consultant will be required to make their own arrangements for travel and visas, submitting receipts for reimbursement.

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

• Advanced degree relating to Islamic Finance is required.
• At least five years of professional, relevant and progressively work experience, in Islamic Financing and/or Muslim Philanthropy through relationships with Islamic financial institutions, foundations and / or high net worth Muslim philanthropists.
• Demonstrated expertise and understanding in the receipt and administration of Zakat funds.
• Knowledge of the principles and practice of fundraising and philanthropy is required, as is an understanding of international development.
• Professional experience of significant partnership building the Gulf Area, Malaysia, Indonesia or other focus countries is required.
• Experience of working in international organizations and proven working experience of the United Nations are additional assets.
• Fluency in English is required, with other UN languages, particularly Arabic, desirable.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Remarks: Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered. Also, please mention the earliest date you can start.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein. Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

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.

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.