Running the operational engine of a multi-country partnership that aims to transform early childhood development for millions of children across East Asia and the Pacific โ€” that is the job. UNICEF is hiring a Partnerships Manager at the P-4 level to lead the NEST Secretariat at its Asia and the Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok. At Youth Works Hub we track roles across the UN system, and this is a delivery-focused, results-driven managerial post, so here is the full breakdown from the official vacancy.


Where the Role Sits

๐ŸŒ UNICEF's Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (APRO) works to strengthen UNICEF's position as a partner of choice for children's rights among governments, regional groupings and international financial institutions โ€” engaging bodies such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, AIIB, the European Union, ASEAN and the Pacific Islands Forum.

๐Ÿชบ NEST is an innovative multi-stakeholder partnership designed to transform early childhood development (ECD) outcomes across the East Asiaโ€“Pacific region through strategic investments, capacity building, and timely, contextualised evidence on what works โ€” catalysing sustainable improvements in ECD policies and programmes for millions of children.

The Role

๐ŸŽฏ NEST requires a Partnerships Manager (NEST Secretariat & Coordination) to act as its operational backbone and delivery lead. This is a managerial, results-driven position โ€” not administrative โ€” responsible for translating strategic priorities into funded, well-coordinated and measurable actions, and for driving implementation, mobilising resources, enabling governance and ensuring NEST delivers tangible results on time and to standard.


The Four Core Pillars

๐Ÿงญ Strategic leadership and delivery management โ€” the end-to-end functioning and strategic execution of NEST.

๐Ÿ’ถ Resource mobilisation and external engagement.

๐Ÿค Partnership coordination and secretariat management.

๐Ÿ“Š Governance, financial oversight and reporting.

Who Can Apply

๐ŸŽ“ Education: a Master's in social science, public administration, international development, project or programme management, organisational development or a related field.

๐Ÿ’ผ Experience: a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, partnership coordination, secretariat leadership or similar; demonstrated experience with multi-stakeholder initiatives, donors and government counterparts; a proven track record in resource mobilisation, partnership management and operational delivery; and experience in ECD, social development or regional initiatives.

๐Ÿง  Skills: strong leadership, execution and problem-solving; excellent stakeholder engagement, diplomacy and influencing; outstanding written and verbal communication; organisational discipline; the ability to manage complexity and competing priorities; and proficiency in digital collaboration and project-management tools.

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Languages: proficiency in English is required; another official UN language or a local language is desirable.


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Values and Competencies

โญ UNICEF's core values โ€” Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS). Required competencies: building and maintaining partnerships, self- and ethical awareness, drive to achieve results, innovating and embracing change, managing ambiguity and complexity, thinking and acting strategically, and working collaboratively.


Conditions

๐Ÿ’ผ This is a Temporary Appointment (364 days) at the P-4 level in Bangkok. Mobility is a condition of international professional employment, appointments are subject to medical clearance, and staff can be called on to support humanitarian response.

๐Ÿ’ธ UNICEF charges no processing fee at any stage of recruitment.


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Frequently Asked Questions

โ“ What level and type? P-4, Temporary Appointment (364 days), at UNICEF APRO in Bangkok, Thailand.

โ“ What is NEST? A multi-stakeholder partnership to transform early childhood development across East Asia and the Pacific.

โ“ What experience is required? A Master's plus at least 8 years in programme management, partnership coordination or secretariat leadership, with resource-mobilisation and multi-stakeholder experience.

โ“ What language is required? English proficiency; another UN or local language is desirable.

โ“ Is there a fee? No โ€” UNICEF charges no processing fee at any stage.

Deadline

โณ 08 September 2026. The vacancy was advertised on 25 August 2026. Youth Works Hub tracks UN roles like this so you can apply before the closing date.


How to Apply

๐Ÿ“ Apply online through UNICEF's careers portal for job number 595284 (position #00138266); only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.


Link

๐Ÿ”— Official vacancy and application (UNICEF, job 595284): https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/595284