Associate Donor Relations Officer

Organizational Context

The Associate Donor Relations Officer is part of a team responsible for maintaining dialogue with governmental donors and UN agencies to build relationships, raise awareness, and mobilize support for UNHCR's priorities. The role focuses on pursuing donor engagement, strengthening partnerships, and securing funding. Positions are based in Geneva Headquarters, major donor capitals, or Regional Bureaux, with support provided to Field Operations.

Job Purpose

The Associate Donor Relations Officer's primary role is to pursue opportunities for donor engagement, strengthen partnerships, and sustain financial and political support for UNHCR's work and priorities. This involves maintaining proactive dialogue with governmental donors and UN agencies, providing them with comprehensive information on UNHCR's operations and financial requirements, and responding to their specific requests. The incumbent will identify and access new donors and funding sources in alignment with the Public Partnerships and Financing Service (PPFS) strategy. They will also assist in drafting correspondence, briefing notes, and reports to support negotiations and follow-up on contributions. A key aspect of the role is monitoring, recording, and tracking donor contributions to ensure compliance with requirements and to inform fundraising strategies. The officer will also arrange meetings, organize consultations, and provide editorial support for fundraising publications, ensuring timely and efficient reporting using UNHCR's information management systems.

Responsibilities

Assist in maintaining close dialogue with donor governments, providing information on UNHCR operations and financial needs, and responding to ad hoc requests. Stay informed about UNHCR's global operations, particularly in high-profile and emergency situations, to meet donor information needs. Identify and access new donors and funding sources according to the PPFS strategy. Draft internal and external correspondence, including briefing notes for senior management, to support negotiations and follow-up on contributions. Assist in implementing and reviewing actions and strategies, and maintain donor profiles and plans. Monitor, record, and track engagement of contributions, taking necessary actions to satisfy donor requirements. Collaborate with Bureaux, Divisions, and UNHCR Offices to prepare submissions for specific funding from donors or provide required information. Provide input for fundraising strategies in Field Operations, aligning with DER/PPFS strategic directions. Arrange meetings for donors and organize annual bilateral consultations. Prepare reports using UNHCR information management systems (e.g., COMPASS, Cloud ERP, Power BI) in a timely manner. Provide editorial support and facilitate the finalization of fundraising publications. Support and guide Field Operations on engagement in Refugee Response Plans and Humanitarian Response Plans. Offer guidance on UNHCR's involvement in humanitarian financing within the IASC. Perform regional focal point duties, including compiling funding-related information and background notes for senior management missions and donor meetings. Support the identification and management of risks and opportunities impacting the area of responsibility, ensuring risk-based decision-making and reporting concerns to supervisors.

Work Experience

Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience with an undergraduate degree, or 2 years with a graduate degree, or 1 year with a doctorate. Essential experience includes external engagement with donors, UN agencies, partners, and governments; professional work experience in field operations; knowledge of UNHCR's operational arrangements, relief programs, funding needs, and priorities. Desirable experience includes UNHCR fundraising and program management, strong research and report writing skills, and experience managing donor relations.

Skills

External engagement with donors UN agency engagement Partner engagement Government engagement Field operations experience UNHCR operational knowledge UNHCR relief program knowledge Fundraising strategy Donor reporting Information management systems Report writing Communication

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