[Hiring] Corporate Research Consultant @AGORA

Role Description

Partner research and due diligence (DD) are key enablers of UNICEF work towards scoping, prospecting and developing private sector engagements. This area of work, managed for the organization by the Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division (PFP), aims to support UNICEF’s effective engagement with business and private philanthropy entities, while ensuring that interactions with the private sector are pursued in alignment with the organization’s integrity standards, mandate, and priorities.

This function requires specialized support for the profiling, reviewing and assessment of prospect partners (i.e. companies, foundations and major donors) and risk assessment of activities considered by UNICEF for non-commercial interactions (i.e. funding engagements and co-branded partnerships).

To meet the growing need for corporate research and due diligence, UNICEF PFP’s Partnerships Advisory Support Services (PASS) team seeks additional consultant capacity. This expansion aims to support global engagement with businesses and philanthropists. The team also requires assistance in researching public opinion trends on social issues, media coverage, and reporting for profiling and analyzing potential high-value partnership prospects.

Overall objectives of the assignment will include:

• Ensuring that UNICEF engagement with corporations and other partners is undertaken in line with applicable ethical standards, criteria and policies.
• Providing audience-focused information on ethical business and risk management related to key potential and/or current corporate partners of UNICEF.
• Documenting, recording and managing due diligence research results, data and information using the organization’s dedicated CRM platform.

Qualifications

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or above) in communication, marketing, journalism, public relations or business administration and other relevant fields is required.
• A minimum of two years of progressive experience in corporate social responsibility, market research, or other related fields is required.
• Experience in the development of high-quality, polished communication products targeted at private and corporate audiences, preferably in the international development arena is required.
• Experience with prospect research, analysis and partner due diligence is required.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.
• Ability to identify strategic issues, opportunities and risks, and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction.
• Attention to detail and track record of delivering against objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with the ability to capture key points and actions in succinct formats for a variety of audiences.
• Computer literacy in standard applications is mandatory (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet, etc.).
• Ability to work remotely with alignment to the time-zone and working hours of Rome, Italy.

Requirements

• Understanding of corporate engagement dimensions within or outside of UNICEF is an asset.
• Understanding of non-profit management and the UN system is an asset.

Benefits

• UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does.
• UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence.
• UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.