Head of Private Sector Unit

Post Number: BSP/TA 005

Grade: P-4

Parent Sector: Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Programme Coordination

Type of contract: Temporary Appointment

Duration of contract: From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 11-DEC-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Duration of contract is 11 months, renewable subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

The Division for Partnerships, within the Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP), is responsible for coordinating UNESCO’s public and private partners including key interlocutors from bilateral donors, United Nations and multilateral organizations, regional institutions such as the European Union (EU) and regional banks, civil society, philanthropy, foundations and the private sector. It works to diversify and expand UNESCO’s partner base and provide backstopping and guidance to UNESCO Programme Sectors, field offices, and Category 1 Institutes in support of their efforts to build strategic partnerships and mobilize resources.

The Section for Donor Outreach and Resource Mobilization sits within the Division for Partnerships of the Bureau of Strategic Planning. It is responsible for coordinating and scaling up partnerships with the private sector, foundations, multilateral organizations and the European Commission, supporting the resource mobilization efforts of Programme Sectors, Field Offices and Category 1 Institutes through outreach, intelligence gathering, capacity building, knowledge exchange, and backstopping of decentralized resource mobilization efforts.

As part of its contribution to the wider efforts of the division to create a better enabling environment for resource mobilization and for building strategic partnerships, the Section will engage a Head of Private Sector Unit to lead UNESCO’s engagement with the private sector, including with business, philanthropy, foundations and individual giving.

Under the authority of the Director of the Division for Partnerships and the direct supervision of the Chief of Section for Donor Outreach and Resource Mobilization, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of UNESCO’s Private Sector Engagement Strategy 2025-2029 and its contribution to UNESCO’s strategic objectives.
• Ensure a coordinated UNESCO wide engagement with the private sector involving UNESCO Programme Sectors, Field Offices and Category 1 Institutes, and coordinate and facilitate UNESCO’s private sector task team.
• Monitor and stay abreast of private sector investment trends, financing and market trends, oversee a mapping of relevant industries and propose entry points for engagement, in close coordination with other relevant units in the Bureau of Strategic Planning.
• Build and maintain strong relationships, partnerships, coalitions and new alliances and optimize networking opportunities with private sector partners.
• Develop and deliver pitches, presentations, briefs and other documents to support private sector engagement; prepare briefs and background documents to support partner engagement by UNESCO senior management.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of an active database of key private sector stakeholders.
• Ensure the targeted dissemination of information on private sector priorities, financing and investment opportunities to UNESCO Programme Sectors, Field Offices and Category 1 Institutes.
• Oversee the preparation of periodic analysis of existing private sector partnerships to identify gaps and areas of particular success, and incorporate this analysis into the overall partnership strategy.
• Organize strategic dialogues with the private sector, including through the organization of business forums and other relevant events.
• Contribute to the improvement of UNESCO’s house-wide enabling environment for private sector partnerships, including through the improvement of systems for knowledge management, enhancement of internally and externally facing web sites, initiatives to strengthen partner visibility, and efforts to improve the quality of data and reporting on resource mobilization and partnerships.
• In close collaboration with the Grants Management Section, provide upstream advice on the strategic framing of agreements and put in place a tracking system for agreements with private sector partners, contributing to risk analysis, anticipating possible issues and troubleshooting as required in close collaboration with Programme Sectors, Field Offices and specialized institutes.
• Contribute to the wider efforts of the Bureau of Strategic Planning on fore-sighting and the planning and strategic analysis as regards private sector engagement.
• Manage a small team of partnerships specialists, consultants and other personnel in line with best human resource management standards and support the Section Chief in day-to-day management of the Section.
• Perform any other duties and tasks as assigned by the Chief of Section for Strategic Partnerships and Donor Relations.

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in accounting, finance, economics, business administration or a closely related discipline(s). A first-level university degree in the aforementioned fields, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in the area of accounting, finance or closely related fields, of which preferably three (3) years acquired at international level.
• Demonstrated experience in grants management, partnerships, financial reporting, especially in relation to reporting to various stakeholders.
• Experience in managing cross functional teams.
• Excellent understanding of grants management processes.
• Expert knowledge in developing funding agreements.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain effective partnerships and participate in negotiations with various stakeholders.
• Excellent drafting skills and proven ability to produce high quality and analytical management reports.
• Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a team and to maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural environment.

• Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.

• Knowledge of ERP Systems and reporting tools.
• Good understanding of the United Nations system funding structure.

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and/or Spanish).

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 122 716 US $.

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.