International Consultancy: Partnerships Consultant (Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini)

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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TERMS OF REFERENCE

Background and Justification

The position will establish the foundation for a dedicated partnership strategy and its implementation across Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini. The consultant will support strategic engagement with public and private sector partners to generate income, leverage influence, and strengthen partnerships beyond traditional resource mobilization — focusing on both multi-country opportunities and country-specific priorities.

While the role’s core responsibility will be BNLE, the consultant will work in close coordination with UNICEF’s South Africa Country Office (SACO), particularly on multi-country or sub-regional initiatives where South Africa’s inclusion is relevant. This will ensure alignment and complementarity with SACO’s existing partnership capacity and maximize opportunities across the sub-region in line with regional and global strategies.

The first phase of the assignment will involve conducting a comprehensive mapping of Southern Africa’s partnership and market landscape (public and private sectors) and linked to this, providing recommendations for an optimal partnership structure that considers both SACO and BNLE countries. This will help ensure synergy between the offices and inform longer-term arrangements for partnership work in the sub-region.

While the technical reporting line of the consultant will be to the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), he/she will coordinate any engagements of partners first with the office where those partners are located before engaging and keep the relevant office informed about follow-ups. Throughout the assignment, the consultant will sensitize partners about UNICEF’s evolving programmatic approaches and presence in the countries of concern.

Scope of Work

1. Goal and objective:

• Map and analyze Southern Africa’s public and private sector landscape to identify trends, gaps, and partnership opportunities, generating recommendations to advance BNLE and SACO priorities.
• Design and implement a multi-country partnership and resource mobilization strategy aligned with UNICEF’s global, regional, and country-specific priorities, while ensuring complementarity with South Africa’s portfolio and exploring opportunities for joint engagement.
• Identify and cultivate partnerships at both multi-country and national levels to mobilize resources, influence policy, and leverage investments for children.
• Enhance UNICEF’s visibility and positioning with key stakeholders in the sub-region through integrated financial and non-financial contributions.
• Strengthen BNLE team capacity in partnership development by providing technical assistance on due diligence, donor engagement, and innovative financing.

1. Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered:

• Lead on regional partnership opportunities and resource mobilization;
• Resource mobilization and partnerships strategies, oversight, TA, QA, and capacity development

1. Work relationships:

The consultant will report to the Regional Advisor, Public and Private Partnerships (ESARO), with a matrix reporting line to a Partnership Steering Group with representatives from BNLE + SACO. While the role’s core responsibility will be BNLE, the consultant will work in close coordination with UNICEF’s South Africa Country Office (SACO), particularly on multi-country or sub-regional initiatives where South Africa’s inclusion is relevant

4.Outputs:

1. Strategic Partnership Development and Management

• Conduct a comprehensive mapping and market analysis of South Africa’s and BLNE sub-region’s public and private sector landscape, incorporating previous studies undertaken.
• Lead the design and implementation of a sub-regional partnership and resource mobilization strategy for BNLE, focusing on both public and private sector engagement.
• In close coordination with the offices concerned, identify and where appropriate, support the management of relationships with focus on high-value partnerships, such as foundations, and corporates. Develop relationships with those entities and support the relationship management, ensuring high-quality stewardship and alignment with programmatic priorities in line with the work plan approved by the Steering Committee.

Leverage UNICEF’s global and regional relationships to create opportunities tailored to BNLE needs.

• Collaborate with SACO to integrate South Africa into multi-country partnership opportunities and support consistent partner messaging on UNICEF’s evolving programmatic priorities and presence in the sub-region.

2. Resource Mobilization and Leveraging

• In support of offices concerned, drive current and multi-year income generation efforts by coordinating and preparing compelling proposals, concept notes, and pitches tailored to priority opportunities.
• Identify funding and financing opportunities open to BLNE countries and governments, depending on their ODA status.
• In close collaboration with ESARO and the offices concerned, explore blended finance and innovative financing models (e.g., debt swaps, impact bonds, insurance mechanisms) to maximize impact.
• Facilitate multi-country fundraising initiatives, including joint appeals with the UN and thematic funding aligned with BNLE’s programmatic focus (health, nutrition, climate, social protection, youth skills).

1. Influence and Advocacy

• Support UNICEF and BNLE positioning with strategic influencers, focusing on public and private sector —through targeted engagement, events, and advocacy.
• Support country offices’ policy and systems-level engagement with partners to advance child-sensitive policies and frameworks (e.g., climate action, social protection, early childhood development).
• Support and work closely with communications and advocacy teams on storytelling and thought leadership efforts to showcase impact and encourage partner visibility.

4. Capacity Strengthening and Technical Support

• Provide technical guidance to BNLE country teams on partnerships best practices, including due diligence, reporting, and donor relations.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange between BNLE, SACO, ESARO, and other country offices; organize workshops, webinars, and peer learning sessions. Support capacity-building between BLNE partnerships focal points by developing an effective sub-regional network.
• Support integration of child rights into business practices for private sector partners in BNLE and promote cross-sectoral collaboration.
• Provide capacity-building support to SACO where appropriate, particularly in the context of multi-country opportunities and shared strategic objectives.

5. Coordination and Alignment

• Work closely with the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, South Africa Country Office, and other relevant divisions to ensure coherent partnership approaches and avoid duplication.
• Contribute to multi-country strategy design and align partnership efforts with programmatic priorities and SDG targets.
• Prepare high-quality briefs, updates, and input for senior management and partner meetings.

Expected Deliverables

• Comprehensive mapping and analysis of Southern Africa’s partnership and market landscape delivered.
• BNLE multi-country partnership and resource mobilization strategy developed and endorsed by relevant offices, which includes clear opportunities for leveraging public and private partners.
• Pipeline of high-priority partnership opportunities mapped and tracked.
• At least two major multi-country or bilateral partnership opportunities advanced to negotiation or secured.
• Strengthened partner stewardship and visibility (e.g., reporting, joint events etc.).
• Capacity-building sessions delivered for BNLE teams on partnership development and resource mobilization.

Deliverables (SMART)

Duration

(Estimated # of days)

Timeline/Deadline

Schedule of payment

Deliver a comprehensive mapping and analysis of Southern Africa’s public and private sector partnership and market landscape, including trends, gaps, and actionable recommendations to inform BNLE and SACO priorities.

30 days

31 October

10%

Develop and secure endorsement from relevant UNICEF offices for a multi-country BNLE partnership and resource mobilization strategy, outlining at least five concrete opportunities to leverage public and private partners.

20 days

20 November

20%

Establish and maintain a pipeline of at least 15 high-priority partnership opportunities, systematically mapped, categorized, and tracked through UNICEF’s partnership management systems.

4 months

30 January 2026

20%

Advance at least two major multi-country or bilateral partnership opportunities to formal negotiation stage or secure agreements, generating tangible commitments toward BNLE programmatic goals.

10 months

30 September

30%

Conduct at least two tailored capacity-building sessions for BNLE teams on partnership development, donor engagement, due diligence, and innovative financing, with pre- and post-assessments showing improved staff knowledge and skills.

1 session in February 2026 and 1 session in September 2026

28 February 2026 and 30 September 2026

20%

Payment Schedule

Interim payments are linked to satisfactory completion of deliverables.

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

1. Education: An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social sciences, business administration, management, corporate social responsibility, marketing, fundraising, or another relevant technical field.
2. Experience: A minimum of eight years of relevant and progressively responsible professional work experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public and private sector fundraising, philanthropy, or corporate social responsibility/sustainability. Experience working in Africa is an asset.

Administrative issues

• Remote based- Pretoria
• Planned travels will be indicated on the contract

Conditions

• As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advances purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy contract will not be considered ‘staff members’ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage).

• Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants.
• The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.
• Consultants are responsible for determining and meeting their tax or duty liabilities in accordance with local or other applicable laws. UNICEF does not issue statements of earnings to consultants.
• UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

Risks

All reasonable and risks associated with the consultancy assignment should be identified, and a relevant risk response and possible mitigation action defined.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and their technical proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.

Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in US$ for international consultants or KES for national consultants to undertake the terms of reference. The fees should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel/return ticket, VISA and subsistence allowances for international consultants who will be based in Nairobi.

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.

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 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.

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