Partnerships Specialist, P-3, Fixed Term (12 months), #00112612, Kabul, Afghanistan, APR (Non-Afghan Nationals Only)

UNICEF Afghanistan is seeking a highly motivated Partnerships Specialist to support resource mobilization, donor engagement, and strategic partnership development for one of UNICEF’s largest humanitarian and development operations globally. The role will lead partnership engagement efforts, identify and secure funding opportunities, manage donor proposal and reporting processes, and strengthen relationships with development banks, bilateral donors, UN partners, and other key stakeholders to advance results for children in Afghanistan. Candidates with strong experience in partnerships, external relations, resource mobilization, and grant management are encouraged to apply. 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. Visitour websiteto learn more about what we do at UNICEF. For every child, the right to a Future How can you make a difference? Job organizational context and purpose for the job: UNICEF Afghanistan manages one of the largest and most complex humanitarian and development portfolios globally. The 2026 HAC appeals for USD 949m, with diversified base of Partners including Development Banks (World Bank, Asian Development bank, Islamic development bank), Traditional Development and Humanitarian donors (Germany, Japan, FCDO, the European Union (ECHO/INTPA), Canada, UN pooled funds, National Committees etc.), in addition to emerging markets and partners. Under the guidance and supervision of the Chief Resource Mobilization and Partnerships, the Partnerships Specialist will be responsible for supporting the delivery of the overall country resource mobilization strategy and plan. The incumbent will collaborate with the Resource Mobilization team and others to ensure the exchange of knowledge; to enhance and develop partnerships and engagement with donors; to negotiate and capture fundraising opportunities; to ensure high quality and effective stewardship of donor resources; Furthermore, the incumbent will support the Country Office advocacy within the scope of the assignment. Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks: - Implement the work plan for assigned area, in order to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of results, in accordance with UNICEF’s partnership strategy. - Seeks and promotes new partnerships and resource mobilization, working with UNICEF colleagues to identify partnership and resource mobilization needs and broker resource mobilization agreements to meet those needs. - Receive and screens inquiries from potential collaborators and facilitates communication with appropriate UNICEF staff. Scans and scouts external environment within designated partnership area for opportunities and risks and shares information in a timely fashion with relevant UNICEF staff - Develops and maintains deep knowledge and familiarity with current and prospective partners and relevant stakeholders, contributing to a database of key contacts and to UNICEF’s base of knowledge on partnership and resource mobilization. - Expands UNICEF’s network of key interlocutors to build stronger relationships between UNICEF and governments, other key-decision makers, regional development institutions, foundations, civil society organizations, international financial institutions and/or other relevant constituencies. - Develops and implements annual partnership engagement and resource mobilization plans. - Acts as a focal point for identification and pursuit of opportunities for outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration, including on how to anticipate and respond to partners’ concerns and priorities, ensure that UNICEF’s interests, perspectives, and knowledge are taken into account in relevant policy and institutional processes, and ensure that they are fully aware of UNICEF’s perspectives, policies, priorities and capabilities. Contributes to the development and management of initiatives for high-level outreach, including for UNICEF’s Senior Management. - Contributes to the development of new partnership and resource mobilization practices and approaches by formulating recommendations for action based on on-going monitoring, analyzing current trends within designated partners and formulating recommendations for strategy approaches and message development. - Manage grants contribution cycle by ensuring all donor proposals, reports and other submissions to donors including IFIs are planned and delivered in a timely manner, to a high quality and in line with expected standards of compliance. - Performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure the success of the team, including guiding, training, and coaching short-term staff, including interns and consultants, as needed. Impact of Results: The Partnerships Specialist is a seasoned professional in the field of external relations, in particular partnership development and resource mobilization. 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 engagement, partnerships and communications products. The Partnership Specialist is accountable for quality, substantive input and ability to project a competent and trusted image of UNICEF to partners. If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:Partnerships Specialist Level 3 GJP Kabul Afghanistan.pdf To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… Minimum requirements: - Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Political Science, Communications, Social Science, Management, Public Administration, International Development, International relations, or another relevant technical field. - Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience in Partnerships, Resource Mobilization, Donor relations, Grant management, External relations, Fundraising, Stakeholder engagement, advocacy, international development, humanitarian aid and any other related fields. - Skills: Partnership Development, Resource Mobilization, Grant Management, Negotiation Skills, Reporting, Knowledge Management - Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Desirables: - Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) - World Bank experience, Asian Development Bank experience, Experience with multilateral development banks, Humanitarian context experience, Fragile settings experience, South Asia regional experience. - Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 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 UNICEF competencies required for this post are… (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 withour competency frameworkand its different lev