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, the right to Hope

How can you make a difference?

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF Sri Lanka is seeking a committed and proactive professional to support the Country Office’s efforts to strengthen private sector fundraising and partnerships. The Private Sector Fundraising Officer will support in identifying and developing opportunities with corporates, foundations, philanthropists, business networks and other private sector stakeholders, helping to diversify and expand resources for children. The position will play a hands-on role in prospect research, partner intelligence, pipeline management, proposal development, partner engagement, stewardship and fundraising tracking. Working closely with programme and communication colleagues, the Officer will help translate UNICEF’s priorities into relevant partnership propositions, support engagement with prospective and existing partners, and contribute to strengthening UNICEF’s visibility and positioning within Sri Lanka’s private sector and philanthropic community. The role requires initiative, strong coordination and communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple follow-up actions while working under the guidance of the Resource Mobilization Officer.

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships and with the direct supervision of the Resource Mobilization Officer, the Private Sector Fundraising Officer supports the development and implementation of UNICEF Sri Lanka’s private sector fundraising and partnership activities. The position focuses on prospect identification, research, partner engagement, fundraising support, pipeline management, proposal development, documentation, stewardship and reporting, contributing to the diversification and growth of private sector and philanthropic support for UNICEF programmes.
The Officer works closely with programme sections and other relevant colleagues to identify partnership opportunities and translate programme priorities into appropriate private sector engagement and fundraising propositions.

Key Functions / Accountabilities:

Prospect research and partner intelligence
Support private sector fundraising activities
Support partner engagement
Proposal and fundraising support
Pipeline management, monitoring and reporting
Support in organizing private sector networking and events
Support in communications and knowledge sharing
Coordination and other support

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File Private Sector Fundraising Officer NOA Final.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: A completed Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or a related field.
Work Experience: One year of relevant work experience in fundraising, partnerships, business development, corporate relations, marketing, communications or stakeholder engagement is required.
Skills: Experience in Partnership development and stakeholder engagement, Prospect research and partner intelligence, Proposal and concept note development, Business writing and preparation of presentations and briefing notes, Coordination and event organization, Microsoft Office and digital tools is required.
Good research, writing, coordination, communication and interpersonal skills are required.
Ability to organize information, maintain databases/tracking systems and follow up on multiple activities.

Language Requirements: Proficiency in English is required.

Desirables:

Language: Knowledge of local language Sinhala and/or Tamil is an asset.
Experience working with corporates, foundations, business associations or philanthropic organizations is an asset.
Knowledge of CSR, ESG, sustainability and corporate social investment priorities is desirable.
Experience with fundraising databases and pipeline tracking tools is an asset.
Experience working with programme teams to develop funding propositions is desirable.
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 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, discrimination, fraud, corruption and other forms of serious misconduct.

UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference, safeguarding and background verification checks. These checks may include verification of academic credentials and employment history, screening against relevant United Nations misconduct databases, and requests for misconduct disclosures from current and former employers, professional associations, other relevant organizations and participating organizations under inter-agency safeguarding initiatives, including the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), where applicable.

Appointment, selection and continued engagement are subject to the satisfactory completion of all required checks. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information and consent to enable UNICEF to undertake these checks. 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 are conditional on the selected candidates' willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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 candidates 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: i.e. 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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Fund Raising Officer, NO-A, #138888, TA (9 months), Colombo - Sri Lanka, APR