UNICEF Face-to-Face Fundraiser in Zagreb: Talk to People and Win Regular Donors for Children

UNICEF Croatia is looking for face-to-face fundraisers to talk to people in public places and ask them to become regular monthly donors. The work is based in Zagreb, with fundraising also in Rijeka and other cities through mobile teams.

It is a consultancy post, not a staff post, so the person hired does not become a UNICEF staff member and does not receive staff benefits. Monthly pay depends on the pledge donors you recruit, so there is no fixed salary. Written and spoken Croatian is required, so this role is only open in practice to people who can speak and write Croatian fluently and work from Croatia.

Key details at a glance

What you will actually do

You will approach people, introduce UNICEF and its work for children, and invite them to sign up as regular donors who give every month. A regular donor, sometimes called a pledge donor, matters more than a one-off gift because it gives steady funding that programmes can plan around.

You will also answer questions honestly, handle sensitive donor information with strict confidentiality, and keep accurate paperwork, including timesheets, pledge forms, and donor queries, handing them to team leaders on time. Team meetings and UNICEF updates keep public answers accurate.

What a normal day really feels like

Face-to-face fundraising is outdoor, people-heavy work. You will spend hours on your feet, approaching people who are busy or simply not interested. Many will say no, and the fundraisers who last are the ones who take rejection calmly and start the next conversation with the same warmth.

The rhythm also differs from a standard office week. Weekend shifts are required, because weekends bring more foot traffic. Travel with mobile teams adds variety, yet it also means early starts. The reward is direct: a new monthly donor shows the result of your conversation.

Who should apply, and who should not

You are a strong fit if you:

• Speak and write Croatian fluently and explain ideas clearly
• Enjoy talking to strangers and do not take rejection personally
• Are approachable, outgoing, and comfortable in a team
• Can work three days a week, including weekend shifts
• Hold a high school diploma and are willing to learn

You should not apply for this particular post if you:

• Do not speak and write Croatian, since this is mandatory
• Need a fixed monthly salary you can count on in advance
• Want a UNICEF staff post with staff benefits
• Cannot work weekends or spend long periods outdoors talking to the public

Good communication, adaptability, eagerness to learn, and ethical marketing are also mandatory. Understanding UNICEF’s brand is preferred rather than required. A high school diploma is the stated education requirement, so people without a university degree can apply.

Pay, honestly explained

Pay is often misunderstood, so here it is plainly. You are paid monthly, but the amount is worked out from the donors you recruit, their quality, and your supervisor’s evaluation. Quality means donor age and average donation amount, with donors targeted over 25 and a proposed monthly donation of 10 euros or more.

In practice, your income rises and falls with your results, with no fixed figure to budget around. If your rent and bills need a predictable amount every month, think carefully about whether variable pay works for you. Bus or train costs outside your duty station are added to your fee on ticket evidence, but those are expenses repaid, not extra salary.

What you need, and how to apply

Incomplete applications are not considered. You need a CV and a cover letter, and you must create or update your profile on the UNICEF vacancy portal. Applications sent outside the portal, or without the profile and documents, will not be considered.

Your cover letter is where you can stand out. Show that you speak and write Croatian well, enjoy public-facing work, and understand ethical fundraising. Give one short example, such as talking to customers or volunteering. For comparison, see two related UNICEF roles on this site: the UNICEF health specialist post in Nairobi and the UNICEF child protection specialist post in Angola.

Apply through the official UNICEF vacancy portal, with your profile complete and your CV and cover letter attached. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The deadline is 31 December, Central European Standard Time.

What happens after you apply

Shortlisted candidates move to the next stage, and selected candidates face reference and background checks. If selected, expect an education component before you approach donors, and performance will be measured on donors recruited over 25, the average monthly donation, timely task completion, and communication quality.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is this a UNICEF staff job with staff benefits?

A: No. It is a consultancy post, and consultants are not staff members, so staff benefits do not apply.

Q: Do I need to speak Croatian to apply?

A: Yes. Written and spoken Croatian is required, while English is only preferred.

Q: Is the pay a fixed monthly salary?

A: No. Pay is monthly but variable, based on recruited donors, donor quality, and supervisor evaluation.

Q: What is the minimum schedule?

A: At least 4 hours a day and 3 days a week, including two weekend shifts a month and 12 working days a month.

Q: When is the deadline?

A: 31 December, Central European Standard Time.