Regional Manager (Private Fundraising and Partnerships), Eastern & Southern Africa

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Reporting to: Senior Advisor, Public Private Partnerships

Annual salary: P4 post on the UN Salary scales

Background

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does - in programs, in advocacy and in 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 favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in 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 and addressing inequity, will not only give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but will also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This 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.

Organizational Context

Since the formal inception of UNICEF’s private sector operations in 2014 on the African continent, UNICEF has developed regional strategies for private sector fundraising and partnerships with the private sector across two UNICEF regions – Eastern and Southern Africa (ESAR) and Western and Central Africa (WCAR). These strategies take a holistic approach to engaging with the private sector - which is defined as the business sector, key influencers (e.g. high net worth philanthropists, opinion leaders and private foundations) and individual supporters - to achieve both financial results (fundraising targets) and contribute to programmatic and advocacy results (non-financial contributions). This includes harnessing the power of business for children, fundraising and partnerships with key audiences, tapping into business core assets and their influence to support programme and advocacy, and changing business policy/practice through the Child Rights and Business agenda.

The post is part of the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (RO), focusing primarily on that region but also coordinating with the Western and Central Africa region. It reports to the Senior Advisor, Public Private Partnerships, ESARO (P5).

Purpose of the role

Under the leadership of the Senior Advisor, Public Private Partnerships, ESARO, to drive implementation of the ESAR private sector strategy including regional fundraising and partnerships, technical guidance to Country Offices, and training for colleagues throughout the region. The post will promote a continental approach across Africa, and hence will coordinate with the private sector team in WCAR. 

Key Responsibilities and expected Results

Guide the development and updating of Private Sector fundraising and non-financial engagement strategies at regional and country levels.

• Regularly update the situation analysis in ESAR impacting fundraising and other forms of engagement with the private sector, including the trends in sustainability and global norms, including the Children’s Rights and Business Principles, and priority industries with impact on children’s rights and well-being.
• Prepare an annual review of fundraising and non-financial engagement progress against the 2018-2021 ESAR Private Sector Strategy and update the annual Action Plan.  In the lead-up to the next strategic period, help guide the development of an updated regional strategy in line with global and Africa-wide strategies.
• Provide strategic guidance and tools to COs in the development and implementation of country level private sector fundraising and engagement strategies;  utilize key processes such as the development of Country Programme Developments to link private sector work to programme priorities result frameworks.
• Guide regional and CO engagement of stakeholders in a holistic approach to corporate engagement, including advancement of business contributions to programme results and integration of child rights in business practices.
• Facilitate learning and knowledge exchange in the region, including through webinars and workshops. Capture and share learnings and good practices on engagement with business, key influencers and individual supporters.
• As a CO demonstrates strong and consistent progress with financial and non-financial results, coordinate the transition to a different “stage,” which brings higher priority PFP support and accountabilities.

Develop new Regional Strategic Partnerships – to provide leadership and direct support in the development of new high value bilateral and multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaboration in ESAR, and guidance to continental partnerships, which bring increased financial resources and contribute to positive impacts for children through non-financial engagement. These partnerships could be continental, regional, or sub-regional.

• Guide research on prospects, to lead to an on-going list of high priority prospects for regional (or continental) partnerships or non-financial engagement, in line with programme priorities.
• Network and engage at the regional level in ESAR with key forums, platforms, associations, networks and other major entities to advocate for children, promote respect and support to children rights and position UNICEF for strategic partnership and fundraising opportunities.
• In coordination with RO and CO colleagues, prepare investment cases and pitch documents to enable partnership development, ensuring due diligence and alignment with programme priorities.
• Close key regional partnerships, including MoU finalization, communication plan, and appropriate implementation and management plans.

Steward Regional Partnerships – to steward existing regional partnerships, including regional reporting and primary relationship management, with the goal of expanding and/or renewing appropriate partnerships.

• For the highest priority regional partnerships in ESAR, act as key interlocutor for on-going stewardship as well as renewal of the partnership.
• Ensure appropriate engagement with RO and COs on regional partnerships, including regular communications and the required reporting.
• As private sector capacity increases in COs or RO, oversee the coordination and stewardship of some regional partnerships by other professional staff.

Technical Assistance – to provide clear strategic direction and guidance to the Regional Office and Country Offices in ESAR on the development of private sector fundraising and non-financial engagement approaches and activities.

• Share clear global and continental/regional guidance and best practice on all key focus areas of the private sector in the region.
• Provide direct technical support to COs on key private sector fundraising processes such as due diligence and agreements and the development of holistic partnerships, integrating with programme priorities and integration of child rights in operations.
• Provide overall technical support, in close coordination with the Child Rights and Business Specialist for the region, to COs on non-financial engagement.
• Provide support to COs on private sector operations, including banking of donations, monitoring, and reporting.
• Provide support in other related tasks and larger partnership team objectives to ensure an integrated approach.

Support the relationship with PFP at the regional level, to ensure alignment on the development of private sector activities in the region.

• Facilitate close collaboration and dialogue between PFP and COs on technical and operational issues.
• Provide reports to PFP and key stakeholders on progress and areas requiring support in the region.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements

• At least 8 years relevant and progressively responsible professional work experience including private sector fundraising, philanthropy, and corporate social responsibility / sustainability. Knowledge of private sector fundraising, philanthropy and corporate social responsibility / sustainability is required. Experience working or living in Africa is an asset.
• Advanced university degree in social sciences, business administration, and management, Corporate Social Responsibility marketing, fundraising or related field. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.