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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, for every child, the right to sustenance,
How can you make a difference?
If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.
Purpose for the Job:
The purpose of the Philanthropy Fundraising Unit is to drive resource growth from individual foundations, major donors, membership-based organizations (MBO) and faith-based organizations (FBO) in India as part of an integrated philanthropy engagement strategy. Resource growth will come from these sources: i) the renewal and growth of existing in-country and multi-country partnerships, ii) the development of new strategic partnerships and iii) the support team with account stewardship.
Under the direct supervision of the Partnerships Manager, this post will develop new partnerships and manage key existing partnerships with the sector. The incumbent will develop and implement fundraising strategies to focus on maximizing value from India-based major donors and individual foundations in support of the country programme’s priority focus.
Key functions/accountabilities, and related duties/ tasks:
- Lead philanthropy team to inspire and engage a group of major donors and key individual foundations in India interested in promoting and supporting children’s rights.
- Map and prioritize the greatest opportunities with Ultra high net worth individuals, high net worth individuals, major donors and individual foundations in India to build relationships with senior stakeholders for maximizing influence, resources and knowledge that can advance UNICEF’s mission.
- Develop and secure strategic resources through new and existing philanthropic partnerships. This will primarily include individual foundation, major donors, however, could also include MBOs and FBOs.
- Build and manage internal and external networks to assist in the identification, cultivation and solicitation of support in India.
- Develop propositions and outreach plans for individual foundations and major donors and lead on partnership negotiations, proposal submissions and pitches.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [JD/TOR Partnerships Specialist (Philanthropy), NOC]
To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education:
- An advanced university degree in social science, development studies, business administration, marketing or related field.
- A first University Degree in social sciences or any other relevant field, combined with 2 additional years (minimum 7 years in total) of professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree or any other relevant discipline.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience in acquiring new high-value partners like Business, Foundations, and Major Donors.
Desirable skills and experience:
- Proven ability to lead and inspire teams in philanthropy, fundraising, or high-value donor engagement.
- Existing extensive network in India with philanthropists, major donors, UHNWIs, and HNIs who have the propensity to donate
- Demonstrated success in engaging with Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs), major donors, individual foundations, and philanthropic institutions in India.
- Strong strategic thinking and experience in designing and implementing philanthropy fundraising strategies.
- Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate at a senior level.
- Expertise in developing compelling donor propositions, preparing pitch materials, and managing end-to-end partnership development.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for persuasive donor outreach and proposal development.
- Experience working cross-functionally with programmes, communications, and operations to align fundraising with organizational goals.
- Knowledge of the development or child rights sector in India and familiarity with UNICEF’s mission and values is an advantage.
- Experience in supervising, overseeing, and monitoring individual foundation and major donor teams.
- Relevant experience at the country level, particularly in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts.
- Experience in working or managing major donors and foundations is preferred.
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies is an advantage.
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 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…
Core competencies (Level 1)
(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
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
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.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
Visa residence requirements: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.
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.
- This position is based in New Delhi, India.
- This position is open for all Indian Nationals and for internal candidates possessing a valid work permit for India.
- This VA is open to internal UNICEF staff only i.e. UNICEF staff holding permanent, continuing, and fixed-term appointments.
- The selected applicant will have an initial one (1) or two (2) years fixed-term (As per each post) contract, with the possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance.
- UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. Eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
- 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 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.
- UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited / recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
