Fundraising & Partnerships Specialist

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 offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development to its staff. UNICEF emphasizes a culture of belonging and growth, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package to its employees.

Job Overview:
The Fundraising & Partnerships Specialist is a senior role focused on driving private sector fundraising growth in Costa Rica while strategically advancing partnerships to enhance resource mobilization and visibility. This position is embedded within the Latin-American and Caribbean Cluster and is accountable for delivering fundraising results at the country level. The role combines leadership for Cluster results with active regional support, ensuring alignment with strategies and income targets. The specialist will analyze market trends and donor behavior to identify growth opportunities and develop scalable fundraising strategies. The position also involves leading a team, managing donor relationships, and ensuring high-quality donor acquisition and retention.

Duties and Responsibilities:
A. Private Sector Fundraising Leadership:

• Strategic Planning & Revenue Growth: Coordinate and implement private sector fundraising activities to achieve LAC PSFR Cluster results in Costa Rica. Drive income growth across key channels, focusing on flexible resources. Analyze market trends and donor behavior to identify growth opportunities.
• Team Leadership & Management: Lead and supervise the Private Sector Fundraising team, fostering a high-performance culture. Set performance objectives and monitor results. Represent the team in internal strategic forums.
• Donor Acquisition, Retention & Stewardship: Oversee donor acquisition and retention strategies, ensuring effective implementation through Cluster-led systems. Manage relationships with external fundraising suppliers. B. Strategic Partnerships & External Engagement:
• Selective Partnership Development: Identify and manage high-value partnerships with private sector actors. Act as a focal point for partnership opportunities.
• Resource Mobilization & Influence: Contribute to resource mobilization strategies related to public sector and innovative financing opportunities. Expand UNICEF’s network of key interlocutors and strengthen relationships with stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in private sector fundraising, including income target setting and delivery. Demonstrated experience in strategic partnerships and resource mobilization with both private and public sector partners. Previous people management experience is required. Fluency in Spanish and English is mandatory, with knowledge of another official UN language as an asset.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Fundraising, International Development, International Relations, or a related field is required for this position.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in private sector fundraising, demonstrating a strong background in income target setting and delivery. Experience in strategic partnerships and resource mobilization with both private and public sector partners is essential, along with previous people management experience.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish and English is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, or Russian) is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve international recruitment. UNICEF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The organization promotes a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and abuse. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must adhere to UNICEF's standards and principles.