Deadline for Applications
January 26, 2025
Standard Job Description
Assistant Donor Relations Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Donor Relations Officer is part of a team that maintains proactive dialogue with governmental donors or UN agencies and organizations, 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 other operations.
S/he is normally supervised by a higher grade Donor or External Relations staff and may receive guidance from DRRM Chief of Sections and from the Head of Service. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other units within DRRM or Divisions or Bureaux in Headquarters.
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
- Assist in maintaining close dialogue with, and providing information to, donor governments on UNHCR operations and financial requirements, including in response to donor governments’ ad hoc requests for information.
- Keep abreast of UNHCR’s operations world-wide with a specific focus on emergency situations to be able to serve donors’ information needs on all aspects of UNHCR’s work.
- In consultation with the supervisor negotiate contributions, striving for timeliness, predictability and maximum flexibility.
- In consultation with the supervisor negotiate, draft and follow up on bilateral agreements with donors where appropriate.
- In consultation with the supervisor identify and access new donors and funding sources.
- Record cash contributions accurately in the relevant ERP system reflecting the donor’s earmarking, reporting requirements, payment information and relevant conditions as specified in the donor’s pledge/agreement.
- Draft internal and external correspondence, including briefing notes to supporting the function in negotiation and follow-up of contributions with donors.
- In collaboration with respective operations and units, prepare submissions for specific funding from donors or provide other information donors may require in determining their financial / political support to UNHCR.
- Draft narrative and financial reports on contributions, in compliance with specific donor requirements.
- Monitor recording and tracking of contributions and take necessary action to satisfy donor requirements.
- Assist in monitoring and analysing donor policies on humanitarian assistance, potential for accessing transition and development funding sources, policies/strategies of organisations competing with UNHCR over funds. Research, develop and maintain donor profiles / fact sheets.
- Support programmes of visits, meetings and the annual consultations with relevant governmental donors, as well as for donor missions to the field when required.
- As needed, help Bureaux/Regional Offices/Country Operations with input for their fundraising strategies, in line with DER/DRRM strategic directions.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA – 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
International Relations; Political Science; Social Sciences;
Journalism; Communication; Public Policy;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Good understanding of UNHCR, its mandate, priorities, field operations and of donor relationship. Experience in dealing with staff members of different cultural and educational backgrounds.
Desirable
Experience in (UNHCR) field operations. UNHCR fund-raising and programming/programme management experience. Familiarity with funding mechanisms of assigned donor governments. Exposure to UNHCR specific learning/training activities.
Functional Skills
MG-Resource Mobilization Techniques and Guidelines
ER-Donor Reporting and Related Tracking Systems
CO-Cross-cultural 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 following experience would be desirable:
- Experience in (UNHCR) field operation, UNHCR fund-raising and programming/programme management experience.
- Familiarity with funding mechanisms of assigned donor governments.
- Good understanding of UNHCR’s donor and resource mobilization would be an advantage.
- Exposure to UNHCR specific learning/training activities.
- Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
- Ability to identify and circumvent risks associated with cultural, religious, and political sensitivities.
- Strong graphic design skills including use of specific applications e.g. InDesign in order to produce necessary updates and appeals an added advantage.
- Experience in working with teams in multiple locations is desirable in coordination and preparation of reports and fundraising materials.
The following would be essential:
- Experience in UNHCR, or the UN system and the humanitarian community.
- Excellent drafting, writing and analytical skills.
- Ability to produce reporting tools, such as donor reports, operational updates/profiles/situation/ reports, factsheets, infographics, and tables.
- Strong diplomatic skills, highly developed political skills and judgment, understanding of or willingness to learn UNHCR’s external relationships, a solid grasp of the donor environment, and the ability to discern when our credibility is at stake will be important.
