Junior Professional Officer (JPO)

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and emphasizes equity, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to survive and thrive without discrimination. UNICEF is a diverse workplace that offers professional and personal development opportunities, fostering a culture of belonging and growth.

Job Overview:
The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) position at UNICEF's Washington D.C. office is designed to support the organization's partnerships with key public partners, including governments and international financial institutions. The role involves managing and strengthening these partnerships through high-level advocacy, daily engagement with counterparts, and resource mobilization efforts. The JPO will contribute to the implementation of UNICEF's Public Partnerships strategy in North America, ensuring timely and effective delivery of results. This position is crucial for enhancing UNICEF's visibility and influence in support of its mission to promote children's rights globally. The JPO will also engage in environmental scanning, knowledge exchange, and policy influence, making a significant impact on UNICEF's operations and partnerships.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The JPO will be responsible for several key functions, including: implementing the work plan for UNICEF’s Public Partnerships in the North America/IFI Pillar; maintaining direct relationships with public sector development partners; preparing meetings, consultations, and briefings with donors; supporting the preparation of concept notes and proposals; assisting in maintaining effective relationships with member states, UN agencies, NGOs, and host governments; organizing strategic events and meetings; attending meetings with various stakeholders and taking notes; preparing information for partners on UNICEF's programs; conducting research on potential new partners; maintaining up-to-date information on partner trends; drafting donor reports; and providing guidance to UNICEF country offices in their engagement with development partners.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in social science, public health, or a related field. They should have at least 2 years of professional work experience, preferably in external relations, fundraising, or grant management. Strong communication skills, both oral and written, are essential, along with excellent drafting and reporting abilities. Candidates should demonstrate cultural sensitivity and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners. Proficiency in MS Office applications and familiarity with database management are also required. Self-motivation and the ability to work under tight deadlines are crucial for success in this role.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in social science, public health, or another relevant field is required for this position. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of UNICEF's work and the challenges faced by children globally.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of professional work experience. This experience should ideally be in areas related to external relations, fundraising, or grant management, which are critical for the role's responsibilities in managing partnerships and resource mobilization.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, is considered desirable and would enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The JPO position is part of the Canadian JPO Programme, which has specific requirements such as Canadian citizenship and a maximum age of 32 at the time of application. The role includes a duty travel and training allowance for professional development activities. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with its mission and values, ensuring a safe and respectful workplace for all employees.