Partnerships Specialist [Business Community Resilience], NOC, ECA Office, Bridgetown, Barbados [Temp Appt]
Job no: 537419
Position type: Temporary Appointment
Location: Barbados, Eastern Caribbean Division/Equivalent: Latin America and Caribbean Regional Off
School/Unit: Barbados (Caribbean Group)
Department/Office: Bridgetown, Barbados
Categories: Alliances and Resource Mobilization, Private Fundraising and Partnerships, NO-3
The UNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean Area (ECA) works across eight independent states and four overseas territories that are classified as high- or upper-middle-income. As small island developing States, ECA countries are highly vulnerable to external shocks and the effects of climate change, including intense hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding and landslides. Furthermore, countries are caught in a middle-income trap, with disparities in access to social services as well as severe deprivations and vulnerabilities that disproportionately affect children.
The importance of the corporate sector in ECA is substantial, impacting significantly on children's lives and the sector is viewed as a key duty bearer and partner for child rights realization by UNICEF. UNICEF ECA increasing is focusing on strengthening Integrated Corporate Engagement, with a view to strengthen technical assistance, advocacy and policy dialogue to ensure that business practices respect and support children's rights. The development of industry specific tools and guidance, documentation of good practice and lessons learned will help to engage on Business and Community Resilience (BCR) and Children's Rights and Business Principles (CRBP) [1] the broader business community globally, regionally, sub-regionally and locally as well as Governments and civil societies in ECA.
The current multi-country programme for 2017-2021 contributes to the following three outcomes of the Caribbean United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework: (a) an inclusive, equitable and prosperous Caribbean; (b) a safe, cohesive and just Caribbean; and (c) a sustainable and resilient Caribbean. The overall goal of the multi-country programme is to contribute to an inclusive, equitable and prosperous Eastern Caribbean that ensures the provision of quality services and support for children in the areas of education, child protection, social protection and resilience.
How can you make a difference?
Under the general supervision of the Deputy Representative, the incumbent will develop, manage and evaluate partnerships with the corporate sector in support of UNICEF's mission, objectives and programme in ECA. The overall aim is to enhance UNICEF's credibility and brand as a technical expert in the area of 'child rights and responsible business' and to support the advancement of the BCR and Child Rights and Business Principles (CRBP)' agendas within industries impacting significantly on children.
The Business and Community Resilience (BCR) approach aims at building the resilience of local communities, in particular vulnerable groups including women and children, and protect them from shocks and stresses (environmental, social and environmental or climate-related) by engaging the private sector through the mobilization of its core expertise, operational capacities and networks in its diversity. This includes strengthening the resilience of local markets and leveraging the role of the private sector in enhancing the efficiency of emergency response.
The multi-faceted impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region have demonstrated the need to build resilient systems and communities. In particular, the pandemic has highlighted the interdependence of sectors and stakeholders, including local communities (who are often also customers/consumers) and businesses, who need to be engaged simultaneously and collaboratively to achieve community resilience, both in the short- and long-term.
The position is expected to provide technical inputs in line with UNICEF's strategic Framework on BCR and CSR and manage programmatic alliances with national BCR related agencies, including business and industry champions, companies and associations, the national Chamber of Commerce and Industry/ies based in the sub-region.
The overall purpose is to support the development, implementation and monitoring of partnerships and strategic pilot interventions with the aim of addressing capacity gaps in selected priority industries for adapting and implementing child friendly guidelines and standards in line with CRBP. The post will primarily focus on supporting the implementation of the BCR project, but will also provide technical support to other potential partnerships with areas such as Travel and Tourism and ICT.
The specific objectives of the BCR approach are to: 1. Engage the private sector in using its core expertise to support community resilience-building including emergency response across the Eastern Caribbean, in collaboration with/support of national authorities and regional institutions (e.g. Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS); Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), through:
2. Engage the private sector towards improving business practices to the benefit of private sector's employees, employees' families and local communities where businesses operate, through:
These main forms of engagement are not mutually exclusive, and ideally, a comprehensive BCR approach may integrate all aspects. In addition, private sector stakeholders may advocate together with other actors such as United Nations agencies for policy-change including in support of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for community resilience building. Businesses that support a BCR approach may operate in partnership for a collective and coordinated action.
The BCR will contribute to the Eastern Caribbean - Sub regional Global Compact Network led by the Barbados/OECS Resident Coordinator. The objectives of that Network are to align the business model of companies to the Ten Global Compact Network Principles in support of the attainment of the SDGs and other international sustainable development agreements.
Collaboration will be also sought with other United Nations Agencies that engage the private sector to support Eastern Caribbean countries and territories in accelerating achievement of SDGs and more specifically building resilience of communities.
Under the guidance of the Deputy Representative and in close collaboration with relevant programme sections as well as Regional Private Sector Partnerships and Regional Climate, Environment and Disaster Risk technical advisors, the Specialist will:
Lead and support the implementation of the BCR project.
The overall objectives of the BCR project in the Eastern Caribbean are to:
This includes the following functions/accountabilities and related tasks/duties:
1.1 Mainstreaming of the BCR approach in the UNICEF multi-country programme
UNICEF BCR team and BCR Working Group (see Outcome 2) to promote the BCR approach to inform the development of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework
1.2 BCR scoping and institutionalization of BCR engagement systems
Step 1. Fostering interagency collaboration on business engagement in disaster risk reduction and resilience:
Step 2. Conducting a business and community resilience landscape analysis
The UNCT and UNICEF BCR strategies should be informed by a BCR Landscape Analysis whose objective is to analyze the multi-country context of private sector engagement in humanitarian action and resilience, identify gaps and priorities for action. Results and recommendations from the BCR Landscape Analysis should be presented and discussed with key private sectors, national authorities and UN/NGO partners identified during the BCR Landscape Analysis process.
Activities:
Step 3. Mobilize relevant stakeholders to support national disaster risk reduction and community resilience:
Step 4. Develop strategic activities in support of disaster risk reduction and business and community resilience:
1.3 BCR Project management:
Global coordination and oversight of the BCR initiative (also implemented in Guatemala, Indonesia, and Peru) will be managed by a Global BCR Coordinator. The Global BCR Coordinator will look at both strengthening the engagement with other related initiatives such as CBi and ARISE networks as well as promoting the BCR approach at global level and internally.
Regional coordination in Latin America and the Caribbean region will be ensured by the BCR Regional coordinator reporting to the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office. The BCR Regional Coordinator will provide technical support to the three (3) offices selected in the region, as well as to promote the BCR approach at regional and country levels.
At country-level, the project will be managed by a BCR Community Resilience specialist who will lead on the BCR project and coordinate the UNICEF BCR team. That person will be specifically responsible for:
2. Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with the corporate and non-corporate sector for the development of a sustainable technical support and capacity development infrastructure for companies undertaking to implement the CRBP.
3. Introduce the UN CRC General Comment 16 on State Obligations regarding the impact of the business sector on children's rights to key government stakeholders and provide advocacy and technical support to a broad range of government and non-government partners for their engagement to ensure that children's rights are protected in line with General Comment 16.
4. Lead the development of a specific CRBP Theory of Change and Strategy, in line with UNICEF's Strategic Framework on CSR and taking into consideration good practice and lessons learnt from local, sub regional and global levels in the new UNICEF 2021 - 2025 Multi-Country Programme.
5. Support resource mobilization efforts by engaging actively with PSFP CSR Unit and potential and relevant private sector donors and supporters and by contributing with the development of CSR/CRBP related concept notes and project proposals
The staff member will be agile and proactive in seizing opportunities for developing effective BCR and CRBP partnerships as per above key functions.
The incumbent will work closely with relevant business associations (advocacy, information sharing, partnership building); with professional organizations (advocacy, research, support for resource mobilization activities), media organizations (advocacy, networking, information sharing) and private sector individuals and non-governmental organizations (advocacy, partnership building, strategy and activity development) as well as relevant government institutions at national and sub-regional levels.
Impact of results:
Effective mainstreaming of the BCR approach in the UN, including UNICEF multi-country programming across the Eastern Caribbean area, an effective engagement with businesses and Caribbean relevant institutions to strengthen community resilience will result into resilient communities that will be equipped to protect the wellbeing of children in all circumstances whether emergency on normal times. This means more vulnerable children surviving, thriving, enjoying fully the rights in all times.
Industry Specific key strategic pilots implemented and documented: Achievement of programme results from new and existing corporate sector partnerships as per timelines and work plan.
Existing partnerships strengthened and enhanced: Existing and potential private sector partnerships contribute to the achievement of programme results as per UNICEF BCR and CSR Frameworks for benefit of children in ECA.
Strategy development: A theory of change and strategy on BCR and CRBP developed based on global, regional and local good practice and lessons learned in close partnership with relevant internal and external partners and stakeholders.
Monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation activities undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of corporate partnerships with focus on BCR and CRBP. Results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...
For every Child, you demonstrate...
Core Values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability
Core competencies skills:
Functional Competencies:
Technical Competencies:
[1] http://www.unicef.org/csr/12.htm
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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 and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background 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.
Remarks:
This is a National Officer position and is therefore only available to Nationals of Barbados
Please note only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
UNICEF reserves the right to make additional assessment of the pre-selected candidates, if needed.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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 and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
Advertised: Feb 12 2021 SA Western Standard Time Application close: Feb 19 2021 SA Western Standard Time
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