UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, a Champion
The Marketing Specialist is a key member of the Individual Giving (IG) global marketing team, which supports and empowers countries in their fundraising efforts. This role helps individual markets develop their marketing capabilities, building on an already successful business model to increase net income for UNICEF's programs benefiting children.
This position focuses on integrating a marketing approach and best practices into individual giving, driving a shift toward audience-centric marketing. As a subject matter expert in the IG strategic marketing framework, the incumbent will drive marketing capacity building in markets and oversee the planning and execution of global marketing initiatives. Additionally, the Marketing Specialist will provide support in developing marketing capabilities among internal IG stakeholders, as well as regional and country teams. The incumbent will also be the first point of contact for assessing, providing feedback, and addressing marketing-related requests from country focal points and the dedicated geographical sprint team.
The Marketing Specialist will assist the marketing team in adopting and rolling out segmentation and the Strategic Marketing Framework, which facilitates a shift from a sales-oriented approach to a market-oriented one. Furthermore, the incumbent will support the development of more tailored donor journeys, driven by audience insights, and incorporating elements such as audience, content, product, channel, format, and testing (including using Marketing Cloud where applicable).
This role will lead several global projects and have market adoption objectives for specific programs and initiatives. These include championing the Marketing Cloud/SES program, the marketing framework, and segmentation. All responsibilities are aligned with ensuring the success of fundraising and marketing efforts in individual countries.
How can you make a difference?
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
Marketing Discipline and Knowledge:
- Collaborate with the Marketing Manager to develop marketing strategies aligned with IG business objectives (OKRs) and the global marketing strategy (acquisition, retention, and engagement).
- Lead the activation of the segmentation program in key markets, focusing on France, Canada, the UK, South Korea, and the Nordics, ensuring impact and fundraising income.
- Drive market upskilling and development; create marketing tools, resources, templates, and guidelines for market use.
- Provide training and consultancy to key markets, the PFP IG team, and RSC colleagues on embedding marketing best practices.
- Play a key role in the geographical sprint team, addressing market requirements and project demands through the new Ways of Working (WoW) process.
- Analyze and improve the performance of key products in markets, identifying growth opportunities and ensuring global initiatives align with local needs, keeping UNICEF's portfolio valuable.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for selected markets regarding marketing projects and upskilling.
- Identify suitable suppliers from UNICEF LTAs and manage the procurement process, overseeing agencies and suppliers to ensure optimal results.
- Support the SES initiative in relation to IG marketing.
Marketing Framework:
- Work with the Marketing Manager to drive adoption of the IG strategic marketing framework at both internal and market/regional levels, supporting PFP’s shift from sales to market orientation.
- Develop action plans and workstreams for implementing framework elements, including segmentation, marketing funnels, and marketing capabilities.
- Support functions and key markets in adopting the framework, capturing case studies of positive outcomes.
- Collaborate with Knowledge Management to develop content and resources for upskilling.
- Consult closely with stakeholders within and outside PFP, including Brand Building, PR Services, Analytics, and Market Insights teams.
Audience and Insights Planning:
- Ensure that UNICEF’s planning and delivery are driven by a thorough understanding of the audience at all stages.
- Champion the development and integration of the Supporter Engagement Strategy (SES) with audience-based fundraising and engagement strategies.
- Ensure a high-quality supporter experience at all touchpoints, aligning with UNICEF’s brand promise.
- Collaborate with analytics, insight, digital, and delivery teams to strengthen donor insights that inform creative strategy and drive business performance, resulting in more profitable IG products.
- Use data to map supporter journeys through the marketing funnel, identifying opportunities for optimization and growth, while keeping the supporter at the center of the organization.
Proposition and Strategy Development:
- Facilitate the development of segment-based marketing plans, driving adoption of strategic planning frameworks and identifying growth/product opportunities.
- Conduct analysis and explore opportunities through research, data, and testing. Collaborate with CFPs and markets to articulate, scope, and execute these opportunities. Participate and contribute to squad and market planning processes and outputs.
Other Duties:
- Brief and manage market research projects for globally commissioned IG research.
- Serve as the IG focal point for organizational priorities and task forces, such as COVAX and Climate.
Deliverables:
- Collaborate with the geographical squad to provide marketing expertise and support to markets, ensuring market requirements and project demands are met through the new Ways of Working (WoW) process.
- Lead segmentation pilots in selected markets and manage the Global IG segmentation project.
- Deliver effective use case workshops, business cases, briefs, and project planning documents to facilitate the development and implementation of segmentation strategies in key markets.
- Continue developing and providing training and resource materials on segmentation to support PFP colleagues and market teams.
- Support CFPs with strategic marketing planning, identifying opportunities and working with markets to develop them.
- Lead the adoption of audience-centric marketing and the Strategic Marketing Framework, under the guidance of the Marketing Manager. Collaborate with key markets and global stakeholders to ensure the framework aligns with or challenges existing strategies and policies. Influence and negotiate to ensure the roadmap is feasible, incorporate learnings, and provide feedback to the global team while fostering the exchange of information and best practices.
- Work closely with the retention, email, and content specialist teams to contribute to broader donor retention strategies, demonstrating the value of marketing expertise in these areas.
- Lead the development and use of marketing tools, templates, and best practices, collecting and sharing case studies and examples with stakeholders.
- Maintain strong, positive relationships with markets and other PFP stakeholders.
- Brief, communicate, and manage agencies, overseeing the implementation of IG marketing initiatives to ensure they are delivered within scope, budget, and timelines.
- Sustain excellent relationships with markets and other PFP stakeholders.
Estimated duration of the contract:
Reporting to:
- The Marketing Manager based in Geneva.
Working Place:
To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…
Education:
- An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Marketing, Communication, Journalism, Management, Public Relations, or another relevant technical field.
- Alternatively, a first-level University Degree in a relevant field combined with (2) additional years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in integrated marketing, planning, and/or brand management is required, which includes a minimum of three (3) years of experience project managing multichannel marketing campaigns, marketing planning, and/or brand management.
- Proven strong project management skills with a track record of delivering through others.
- Experience working in global organizations on projects spanning multiple markets with diverse business challenges is required.
- Experience in working with segmentation, planning, and positioning as part of a marketing strategy role is required
- Experience in marketing or advertising agencies is an asset.
- Experience in training and capacity building for teams is an asset.
- Experience working across a variety of IG products and audiences is an asset.
- The ability to manage multiple projects, stakeholders, and deadlines is an asset.
- Experience with Marketing Cloud is an asset.
- Experience managing agencies and suppliers and leading procurement processes is an asset.
- Experience with UNICEF or another international NGO within a global function is an asset.
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is an asset.
Others
- A friendly and energetic colleague with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- A hands-on approach to problem-solving.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, or Russian) 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
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)
- Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
