Strategic Partnerships and Communication Officer, NO-2, Temporary Appointment, (364 days), Kigali, Rwanda

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.

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For every child, the right to a Voice

Background and Context

In 2026, UNICEF Rwanda celebrates 40 years of partnership with the Government and people of Rwanda, marking four decades of progress for children across Health, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Social Policy. This milestone coincides with the rollout of UNICEF Rwanda’s new Country Programme, an expanded Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Strategy, and Rwanda’s renewed National Strategy for Development II.

As UNICEF commemorates its 40-year journey in Rwanda (UNICEF Rwanda@40), the organization is placing strong emphasis on:
• Visibility for UNICEF’s mandate of upholding the rights of all children;
• UNICEF mandated and strong voice for achieving rights of all children in Rwanda
• Support agency of children and youth through participation and empowerment;
• Celebrate partnerships supporting progress on children’s agenda;
• Deepening private sector partnerships for children;
• Scaling responsible business practices aligned with children’s rights;
• Expanding domestic resource mobilization, including individual giving and corporate philanthropy;
• Strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration in line with national priorities.

To deliver this ambitious UNICEF Rwanda@40 agenda and support the implementation of UNICEF Rwanda’s Private Sector Engagement Strategy and new Country Programme, UNICEF Rwanda requires a dedicated Strategic Partnerships and Communication Officer to provide support on advocacy, private sector engagement, partnerships development, strategic communications, and in-country resource mobilization.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the Assignment

Under the guidance and supervision of the Chief, Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships (CAP), the Strategic Partnerships and Communication Officer will:
• Support UNICEF Rwanda@40 commemorative initiatives, positioning the private sector as a key partner for children including mobilizing private sector in tree planting initiatives for every school in Rwanda;
• Support strategic communications, advocacy, and visibility related to partnerships and resource mobilization for UNICEF Rwanda@40.
• Support and strengthen private sector engagement and partnerships aligned with UNICEF Rwanda @40;
• Advance domestic resource mobilization, including corporate contributions, individual giving, and innovative fundraising mechanisms;

Key responsibilities and tasks:
• Whole-of-Society Mobilization Workstream (Songwriting Competition, Car-Free Day Relay)
• Hope for Life: Greening Schools & Communities (Tree planting in schools)
• Children’s Gala – World Children’s Day (High-level national convening)
• Private Sector Partnerships
• Africa’s Future Voices – Youth & Diplomacy
• Legacy for Children – Voices of Service

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: TOR- Partnerships and Communications Officer NOB.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:
• Education: Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in one of the following fields is required: Business Administration, Development studies, Marketing, Communication or another relevant technical field. A professional qualification in project management is required.
Work Experience: At least 2 years of relevant work experience in one or more of the following areas is required: Partnerships, private sector development, communication, public advocacy, or another related area.
Skills:
Experience in working with the private sector in Rwanda.
Experience in initiating and managing partnerships with both public and private stakeholders.
Experience with establishing and operationalizing multi-stakeholder platforms.
Experience in evidence based policy level advocacy.
Experience in Communications.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is required.

Desirables:
• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
• Advanced University Degree (i.e. Master’s degree or equivalent) in the relevant fields would be considered a strong asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• 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 and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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 may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

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, we particularly welcome applications from individuals who can bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our team.

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.

UNICEF staff members holding fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to UNICEF personnel only).

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member's original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

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.