Donor Relations Specialist P-3 – FT – Juba – South Sudan, #97388 (Open to Non South Sudan nationals only)

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, care

I. Job organizational context and purpose for the job

The Donor Relations Specialist will deepen collaboration with key stakeholders and provide an interface for environmental scanning, knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, and policy influence within the scope of assignment.   S/He may also serve as focal point and resource for colleagues on specific thematic areas of strategic relevance for partnership development and is the office lead on reporting for donor funded contributions. The key result is to ensure greater visibility for UNICEF and influence in support of its mission.

II. Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1.            Donor relations and reporting

• Enhance positive relationships with donor groups through timely and accurate reporting and monitoring of donor interests and information needs. This includes gathering of information, consolidation, editing and production and alignment with the original proposal of all required reports on contributions to the Country Programme.
• Collaborate with colleagues to compile, produce and disseminate mandatory UNICEF reports.
• Development of technical guidance/quality control in proposal preparation and follow-up, as well as compilation of information, editing and layout
• Support donor and Natcom missions through the preparation of briefing documents for advocacy or information sharing.

2.            Knowledge management and standardization of reporting

• Propose solutions for harmonization and standardization of reporting to limit parallel reporting.
• Monitor quality and timeliness of submissions for regular analysis and recommendations for improvement
• Maintain a coherent system for tracking funds for internal and external reporting
• Contribute to strengthening internal knowledge management functions through the use of Sharepoint and Salesforce platforms.

3.            Support to internal management of contractual requirements to donors

• Support the tracking of funds received and the process of extending/amending donor agreements.
• Regular liaison with donor and HQ counterparts to address issues around grant negotiation and donor compliance.
• Support oversight on financial grant management, including flagging issues related to outstanding grant balances, fast approaching grant expiration, etc.

4.            Capacity building

• Act as the Officer in Charge for the Donor Relations team and ensure deliverables are met.
• Support the preparation, organization and conducting of capacity building in resource mobilization, contribution management for donor funds, and reporting.
• Develop training materials for building capacity in report writing specifically, based on feedback of report reviews

III. Impact of Results

The Donor Relations Specialist is a seasoned professional in the field of external relations and program management, in particular resource mobilization and reporting. The quality of work and external communications performed by the specialist directly impacts on the overall reputation of UNICEF. S/He follows established procedures but is expected to make recommendations on strategies for improved reporting, contribution management and donor engagement.

The Donor Relations Specialist is accountable for quality, substantive input and ability to project a competent and trusted image of UNICEF to partners.

IV. Skills

• Proven ability to coordinate processes managed by others and to influence compliance with conflicting demands.
• Advanced ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written form; specific skills in report writing and editing.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas.
• Proven ability to effectively manage relationships with donor partners and potential donor groups.
• Strong working knowledge of computer systems, UNICEF applications (VISION) and database design an asset.
• Understanding of budgeting and financial analyses, with strong competency in excel.
• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

V. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

An advanced university degree is required in one of the following fields: international relations, political science, communications, international development, or another relevant technical field.

Experience:       

A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public affairs, programme management, resource mobilization, external relations, or other relevant area.

Language Requirements:            

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.

Remarks:

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.