Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Donor Relations Officer is part of a team tasked to maintain proactive dialogue with donor governments as well as with the regional and local donors aiming at building relationships, raise awareness and mobilize political and financial support for UNHCR¿s work and priorities.
The incumbent’s primary role is pursuing opportunities for donor engagement, strengthening partnerships, sustaining support and fundraising opportunities. Due to the specific nature of these responsibilities, Donor Relations Officer posts are based only in Geneva Headquarters, major donor capitals or Regional Bureaux. S/he with also provide support to counterparts in Field Operations, especially to offices dealing with emergency situations.
The incumbent reports to a senior staff in the function of Donor Relations and/or External Engagement; the reporting relationships may vary and depends on the size and organizational structure of the office/operation. The incumbent may supervise professional and/or general service staff.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
– Maintain close dialogue with and provide information to donor governments on UNHCR operations and financial requirements including responding to donor governments¿ requests for information on ad hoc basis.
– Negotiate contributions, striving for timeliness, predictability and maximum flexibility.
– Keep abreast of UNHCR¿s operations worldwide with a specific focus on emergency situations to be able to serve donor¿s information needs on all aspects of UNHCR¿s work.
– Identify and access new donors and funding sources as per DRRM strategy.
– Draft internal and external correspondence, including briefing notes for senior management to support them in negotiation and follow up of contributions with donors.
– Assist in reviewing actions and strategies for assigned donors with a specific focus on monitoring and analysing; develop and maintain donor profiles and plans. Monitor recording and tracking of contributions and take necessary actions to satisfy donor requirements.
Additional duties for position in Headquarters
– Prepare submissions – in collaboration with respective Bureau, Divisions and UNHCR Offices – for specific funding from donors or provide other information donor may require in determining their financial/political support to UNHCR.
– Serve as a liaison between UNHCR and Permanent Missions and arrange meetings for donors, and where applicable, organize annual bilateral consultations with selected donor government and provide follow-up to the conclusions of these meetings.
Additional duties for positions in major donor capitals
– Develop and cultivate network of counterparts and influencers, including in relevant ministries, parliament and local government.
– Based on knowledge of local context, assist in developing country engagement strategy to raise locally available funds, in close collaboration with DRRM.
– Assist with liaison work between UNHCR and the Government and ensure UNHCR¿s reflexive outreach to relevant counterparts, including through the organization of briefings and missions to the Field. Implement and coordinate donor recognition efforts in the country, in collaboration with DRRM.
– Assist operations in developing appropriate, high quality funding submissions, information papers and donor reports.
Additional duties for positions in Regional Bureaux
– Assist in developing country or regional strategies to raise locally available funds, including from UN pooled funds.
– Liaise with respective country offices to have regional understanding of the funding needs as well as funding priorities amongst different countries.
– Function as a contact point for donors in the region and ensure Bureau¿s reflexive outreach to relevant counterparts and embassies.
– Facilitate DRRM training events for Field and Bureau staff as required.
– Support the resource allocation and reallocation process.
– Monitor the earmarking levels and alert DRRM/PSP on specific country programmes which risk receiving excessive or minimal earmarked contributions.
– Implement and coordinate donor recognition efforts in the region, in collaboration with DRRM.
– Assist Bureau and operations in developing appropriate, high quality funding submissions, information papers and donor reports.
– Review and edit relevant narrative and data information for presentation in the Global Appeals and Global Reports as well as any other UNHCR appeal or report documents.
– Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
International Relations;
Political Science;
Social Sciences;
Journalism;
Communication;
Public Policy;
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Experience in external engagement with donors, UN agencies, partners, governments. Professional work experience in field operations. Knowledge of UNHCR¿s operational arrangements, its relief programmes, the funding needs and priorities.
Desirable:
UNHCR fund- raising and programme management experience. Good research, policy and report writing skills. Experience in managing donor relations. Understanding of the workings of major donor perspectives, requirements and standards.
Functional Skills
MG-Resource Mobilization Techniques and Guidelines
ER-Donor Reporting and Related Tracking Systems
ER-Donor Relations – Humanitarian Financing
*CO-Strategic Communication
SO-Networking
*CO-Drafting and Documentation
CO-Reporting skills
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile
The incumbent will require a good understanding of donor relations and provide extensive support in managing the relationship with the United States Government. An understanding of UNHCR’s operations as well as the US Government, both structurally and policy wise as well as excellent interpersonal skills, political awareness and diplomatic skills will be essential, as the incumbent will interact with the United States government directly, as well as UNHCR operations, staff of all Regional Bureaux and Divisions, and the Executive Office. This position requires an ability to manage highly complex projects, requiring extensive coordination across divisions and Bureaus with efficiency and great attention to detail and support the team with policy guidance and anticipating operational issues that could affect the relationship with the United States. A strong understanding of headquarter processes including experience in program management given the intricacy of managing the US contribution will be important. The position requires extensive writing and editing in English on short deadlines, so the incumbent should have excellent drafting skills in this area. This position will be responsible for managing the visibility portfolio, supporting UNHCR colleagues around the globe with expertise and guidance on both content and strategy, ensuring that social media created by the field is suitable for a US audience.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
Desired languages
French
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
Nature of Position:
This position will be part of the team responsible for maintaining the relationship with the USA as a donor within Donor Group III, which covers North America and MENA. The position reports to the head of the donor team (Senior Donor Relations Officer) as part of Donor Group III.
The incumbent will require a good understanding of donor relations and provide extensive support in managing the relationship with the United States Government. An understanding of UNHCR’s operations as well as the US Government, both structurally and policy wise as well as excellent interpersonal skills, political awareness and diplomatic skills will be essential, as the incumbent will interact with the United States government directly, as well as UNHCR operations, staff of all Regional Bureaux and Divisions, and the Executive Office. This position requires an ability to manage highly complex projects, requiring extensive coordination across divisions and Bureaus with efficiency and great attention to detail and support the team with policy guidance and anticipating operational issues that could affect the relationship with the United States. A strong understanding of headquarter processes including experience in program management given the intricacy of managing the US contribution will be important.
The position requires extensive writing and editing in English on short deadlines, so the incumbent should have excellent drafting skills in this area. This position will be responsible for managing the visibility portfolio, supporting UNHCR colleagues around the globe with expertise and guidance on both content and strategy, ensuring that social media created by the field is suitable for a US audience.
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
Skills
CO-Drafting and Documentation
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
Compendium
Add.2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2022 – Part B
Functional clearance
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
How to apply
For a full job description and to apply, interested candidates are requested to visit https://bit.ly/3l8kWIr
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
Closing date of receipt of applications: 16 February 2023 (midnight Geneva time)
