About the Organization
UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, is a global force for change, operating in over 190 countries and territories. Since its inception, UNICEF has been dedicated to saving children’s lives, defending their fundamental rights, and helping them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. In Ethiopia—the second most populous country in Africa—UNICEF’s mission is particularly critical. The organization serves over 15 million children across the nation, addressing complex challenges ranging from conflict in the north to severe drought conditions.
The organization operates on a foundation of “CRITAS” values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability. UNICEF Ethiopia acts as a vital partner to the government and local communities, implementing high-impact programs in Child Protection, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Health, Nutrition, Social Policy, and Education. By working at UNICEF, professionals join a “calling” rather than just a job, contributing to a legacy of humanitarian excellence and long-term developmental success in one of the world’s most culturally diverse and ancient nations.
UNICEF is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the children it serves. The organization fosters a culture where careers are built through continuous professional and personal development. This environment encourages innovation and strategic thinking to solve some of the most pressing human rights issues of our time. Staff members are part of a global network that values collective impact and the pursuit of equity for every child, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Diversity is at the heart of UNICEF’s operations. The organization actively seeks to include individuals from all walks of life, irrespective of race, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, or socio-economic background. By bringing together a passionate and diverse team, UNICEF ensures that its interventions are grounded in a broad range of perspectives, which is essential for navigating the complex socio-political landscape of the Horn of Africa.
UNICEF is a dedicated equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from qualified female candidates, persons with disabilities (including neurodivergent individuals), and members of underrepresented groups. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for everyone.
Job Description and Strategic Impact
The Partnerships Specialist is a strategic linchpin within the UNICEF Ethiopia Country Office. This role is responsible for implementing and evolving the partnership strategy to ensure that resources are mobilized effectively to meet the urgent needs of millions of children. In a country facing multifaceted emergencies, the ability to broker resource mobilization agreements and manage high-level outreach is not just an administrative task—it is a life-saving function that determines the scale and speed of UNICEF’s humanitarian response.
On a day-to-day basis, the specialist acts as a professional bridge between UNICEF and a vast network of interlocutors, including governments, international financial institutions, foundations, and civil society organizations. This role involves scanning the external environment for opportunities and risks, ensuring that UNICEF’s interests and knowledge are integrated into relevant policy processes. The impact is seen in the strengthened relationships and the steady flow of resources that fund essential programs in health, nutrition, and education.
Career growth in this position is significant, offering exposure to high-level diplomatic communication and complex policy analysis. The specialist will have the opportunity to influence UNICEF’s global partnership practices by formulating recommendations based on current trends and monitoring data. This role provides a platform for professionals to demonstrate strategic leadership, managing ambiguity in fragile settings while delivering tangible results for the community.
The strategic importance of this role extends to advocacy and visibility. By developing communication products and engagement strategies, the Partnerships Specialist enhances UNICEF’s influence with prospective partners. This ensures that policy outreach is grounded in the real-world insights of UNICEF’s supported programs, creating a feedback loop that improves the efficacy of aid and development initiatives across Ethiopia.
Ultimately, the Partnerships Specialist contributes to the sustainability of UNICEF’s mission. Through coaching interns and consultants and guiding short-term staff, the specialist helps build the next generation of humanitarian leaders. This role is ideal for an individual who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and is motivated by the drive to achieve lasting impact for children in one of Africa’s most dynamic countries.
Job Positions and Requirements
Partnerships Specialist
Educational Qualification: Master’s degree or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in International Relations, Political Science, Communications, International Development, or a related technical field.
Work Experience: A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in public affairs, programme management, resource mobilization, or external relations is required.
Job Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Salary: Competitive International/Local Professional Scale with attractive benefits.
No. Required: 1
Employment Type and Compensation
This is a full-time, professional position that offers the stability of a career within the United Nations system. UNICEF provides a comprehensive and attractive compensation package designed to support the well-being of its staff and their families. This includes competitive salaries, paid parental leave, and specialized support such as breastfeeding breaks for mothers and reasonable accommodations for staff with disabilities.
Beyond the financial package, the role offers the profound benefit of “mobility”—the opportunity to serve in different global contexts as part of the international civil service. This position is a gateway to a lifelong career of impact, where professional growth is aligned with the global mission of protecting children’s rights. The stability of this role is matched by the dynamic nature of the work, providing a rewarding balance for mission-driven professionals.
How to Apply
UNICEF is committed to a transparent and accessible recruitment process. We wish to inform all applicants that scanned certificates, diplomas, or formal attachments are NOT required during the initial application phase. Our goal is to evaluate your professional profile and experience through our online application portal first, reducing the initial administrative burden on candidates.
Please note that original academic credentials and employment history documents will only be requested for verification purposes during the background check and interview stages for shortlisted candidates. This verification is a standard part of our rigorous selection process to ensure the highest standards of integrity and competence.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process. Due to the high volume of interest in UNICEF positions, we are unable to provide individual status updates to all applicants. If you are not contacted within a few weeks of the deadline, please assume that your application will not be moving forward at this time.
The selection process may involve various assessment stages, including interviews and technical tests. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the UNICEF competency framework prior to any scheduled assessments. Please ensure your application is submitted via the official link provided below to be considered.
Interested candidates should submit their application through the official UNICEF Careers portal. This is the only valid channel for application. UNICEF does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process and will never ask for your bank account information during hiring.
Application Deadline
April 12, 2026
Official Application Link / Contact
Apply Online: https://jobs.unicef.org/mob/cw/en-us/job/592117
Organization: UNICEF Ethiopia Country Office, Addis Ababa.