Careers

Head of Government and Pacific Relations

PURPOSE

The Head of Government & Pacific Relations will play a key role in advancing organisational strategic initiatives by securing and optimising government funds for the wider Pacific region. This role involves leading development efforts to improve child welfare, negotiating international agreements, particularly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and promoting UNICEF as a key partner in international development. You will lead an effective team to achieve strategic outcomes by fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. This includes setting clear goals, providing support, and encouraging innovation. You'll focus on professional development, open communication, and cross-functional collaboration to build trust and strengthen partnerships. Through dedicated leadership, you will drive impactful outcomes that enhance the lives of children and families in the Pacific region. The role is pivotal in recognising and honouring the rich cultural diversity and unique protocols of the Pacific region to advance UNICEF's strategic goals. This culturally informed approach is crucial for effectively securing government funds, fostering international relationships, and enhancing the welfare of children within the cultural context of the Pacific Islands.

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Government Fund Acquisition and Partnerships:

• Actively seek new government funding opportunities that align with UNICEF's mission.
• Develop proposals and establish partnership frameworks to access government funding in line with mutual strategic goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with government entities to influence funding allocations and expand collaborative efforts.
• Finalise partnership contracts that support children's welfare and comply with funding protocols and accountability standards.
  
  

Advocacy and Collaboration for Funding Support:

• Advocate within UNICEF to increase awareness of Pacific programs in line with the organisation's core mission.
• Foster internal partnerships to leverage resources and expertise for co-funding initiatives.
• Create communication strategies to highlight UNICEF's work and emphasize financial needs to engage staff in partnership efforts.
• Promote & enhance organisational understanding of donor engagement and funding environments.
  
  

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Lead the team to:
• Monitor programme performance according to established key performance indicators and impacts.
• Submit detailed performance analyses to reinforce financial accountability.
• Implement monitoring and evaluation systems to facilitate organisational learning and proactive risk management.
  
  

Outcome Agreement and Contract Administration:

• Establish and oversee result-oriented management plans for public sector agreements.
• Coordinate with country o ices on project planning, financial management, and progress tracking.
• Use performance metrics to inform strategic improvements and address potential challenges.
  
  

Program Leadership and Risk Management:

• Ensure effective programme management to maintain progress and manage risks efficiently.
• Lead governance forums for public donor contracts to ensure clear communication and reporting.
• Emergency Advocacy and Partnership Coordination:
• Disseminate emergency reports and collaborate with the Council for International Development (CID) for effective advocacy.
• Work with CID on humanitarian reporting to address emergency needs of children. Utilise networks to enhance visibility and impact of emergency response efforts.
• Coordinate advocacy activities with CID during crises to advocate for systemic changes focusing on children's needs.
  
  

Donor and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Develop and drive the strategy to increase the Governments funding envelope to UNICEF Aotearoa
• Collaborate with internal teams, predominately fundraising in the development of co-funding agreements.
• Develop donor strategies with the fundraising team to meet agreed co-funding goals.
• Lead the team in conducting virtual meetings with Country O ices monthly for updates and collaborative planning.
• Ensure WASH & ECCE Managers, visit field locations to evaluate programmes, strengthen relationships with local communities, and enhance strategies based on feedback.
• Develop partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and communities to support UNICEF Aotearoa’s initiatives.
• As a team, customise stakeholder engagement plans to achieve common objectives and maximize collective influence.
  

International Programme Strategy and Improvement:

• Serve as the primary contact for international programmes within UNICEF Country Offices.
• Collaborate with financial teams to monitor and manage all funding efficiently.
• Directly support programme effectiveness.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the International Programmes team.
• Engage in ongoing discussions with Country O ices to adjust projects based on changing circumstances.
• Conduct comprehensive reviews of international programme effectiveness as required.
  
  

GENERAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be punctual and work the hours and times specified.
• Prioritize workload to ensure work of the greatest importance to the business is undertaken with urgency and to a high standard.
• Support and help develop a positive workplace culture.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Responsibly manage all business resources within accountability levels.
• Undertake all duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description and all other duties as required by the business.
• Comply with all employment obligations.
• Promptly undertake to complete all reasonable and lawful instructions and directions given.
• Serve the business in good faith, promoting and protecting the business's best interests.
• During work time, and such other times as may be reasonably required, dedicate all effort to the execution and fulfilment of the duties, responsibilities, obligations, and instructions related to employment.
• Demonstrate through own actions a commitment to Health and Safety at work when undertaking work or observing others in the workplace.
  
  
  

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

Working relationships:

• Executive Director
• Director of Advocacy & Programmes
• Director of Fundraising
• Finance Officer
• Director of Communications
• Head of Philanthropy
• CID Humanitarian Network and NGOs
• MFAT – PHM Division, Child Wellbeing Advisor, bilateral and sector divisions, relevant posts
• UNICEF Country Office’s Deputy Representative for International
• UNICEF Australia Director International Programmes
• UNICEF EAPRO Regional office
• UNICEF PFP Programmes Services Unit
• UNICEF PPD
• NGO Programme Director Group
  
  
  

Qualifications & Experience:

• Primary degree in an area related to human development or environment e.g. teaching, nursing social worker, community development, engineer.
• Post graduated qualification in International Development or associated field.
• At least 5 years’ experience with International Development / Humanitarian Assistance field experience, preferably in Asia-Pacific.
• At least 3 years successful experience as manager/team leader.
• High level, extensive and current knowledge of evidence-based approaches to development programming.
• Experience in delivering development programmes, including cultural awareness in the Pacific.
• A commitment to the aims and values of UNICEF, in particular to UNICEF’s special mandate to protect child rights.
• Successful experience with strategic planning and managing multiple stakeholders.
• Exceptional and persuasive written and verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability in the establishment and nurture of high-level networks, including MFAT.
• Effective team management, high level organisational and administrative skills to manage competing priorities.
• Knowledge of New Zealand Aid sector standards, NGO funding windows, practice and regulatory compliance issues.
• A passionate and energetic team member with a genuine interest in working in the international aid and development sector.
• Demonstrable experience in fundraising and fundraising innovation.
• Experience in being a budget holder for multi-million-dollar budgets including preparing, reforecasting budgets and tracking expenditure.
  
  
  
  Skills and Capabilities:
  
• Ability to identify and design projects that meet UNICEF NZ and donor objectives and, where relevant, align with partner government national development plans and policies.
• Ability to develop and implement strategy across a team.
• Strong relationship management skills and ability to have challenging conversations.
• Excellent programme management skills including at a strategic level.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to successfully manage coach and mentor a team
• Capability to oversee management of concurrent projects, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Ability to analyse, interpret, and synthesize international development research and policy and apply to a specific context.
• Analytical thinker who is able to identify problems early and initiate iterative solutions or mitigations.
  
  
  
  Attributes:
  
• Resilient; ability and desire to work in a fast paced, changing environment.
• Persuasive, with strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Driven and results focused.
• Organised, with strong administrative skills.
• Self-motivated with a can-do attitude.
• Flexibility – willing to do a variety of ad hoc tasks, willing to work. flexible hours when required to meet client needs.
• Ability to travel for UNICEF
  
  
  If you're interested in applying please send your CV to [email protected]