Senior Donor Relations Officer - Development

December 22, 2025

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-12-08

Senior Donor Relations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Donor Relations Officer is part of a team which strives to maintain a responsive and proactive dialogue with donor governments and regional and local donors, in order to build relationships, raise awareness and mobilize political and financial support for UNHCR's work and priority actions. This function involves pursuing opportunities for donor engagement, strengthening partnerships, sustaining support and leveraging additional fundraising opportunities. The incumbent will also identify opportunities to diversify income streams, grow current level of contributions, as well as requirements to protect and sustain donor income. S/he will also provide support to counterparts in other operations, especially to offices dealing with emergency situations to be able to serve donors' information needs on all aspects of UNHCR's work.

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 relationship may vary and depends on the size and structure of the office/operation. S/he 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 responsive and proactive dialogue with donor governments in order to build relationships, ensure regular communication, manage substantive annual bilateral consultations with donor governments, and raise awareness and support for UNHCR's priority actions.
- Identify and leverage donors' key areas of interest, priorities and concerns as they influence funding decisions and their partnership with UNHCR.
- Identify and access new funding opportunities and sources.
- Monitor use of contributions; take necessary action to satisfy donor requirements and ensure earmarking is respected.
- Monitor earmarking levels and alert country offices/regional offices/Public Partnerships and Financing Service/PSP as relevant of potential excessive or minimal earmarked contributions.
- Provide donor counterparts with information on UNHCR operations including responding to donor governments' ad hoc requests in coordination with other stakeholders in UNHCR.
- Draft internal and external correspondence, including talking points and briefing notes for senior management as necessary, to support them in advocacy, negotiation and follow-up of contributions with donors.
- Organize, coordinate and facilitate donor briefings, donor missions and missions by UNHCR staff as relevant in order to support fundraising and donor engagement.

Additional duties for positions in Headquarters
- Establish targeted donor engagement strategies to strengthen partnerships, sustain support and leverage additional fundraising opportunities in coordination with donor capitals, Regional Bureaux and the Executive Office.
- Identify opportunities to diversify income streams, grow current level of contributions, as well as requirements to protect and sustain donor income where at risk within donor portfolio.
- Continuously review actions and strategies for assigned donors with a specific focus on monitoring and analysing: key decision points, donor policies on humanitarian assistance, potential for accessing transition and development funding sources, and situation of organizations competing with UNHCR for funds. Develop and maintain donor profiles and plans.
- In collaboration with respective Bureaux, Divisions and UNHCR Offices, prepare submissions for specific funding from donors or provide other information donors might require in determining their financial support to UNHCR.
- Negotiate contributions advocating for quality funding, striving for timeliness, predictability and maximum flexibility; negotiate, draft and follow up on bilateral agreements with donors, striving to reduce risk, exposure and reporting burdens.
- Liaise, coordinate and provide information and guidance to counterparts in the Regional Bureaux; ensure that Bureaux and operations implement and actively support UNHCR corporate fundraising priorities; represent donor interests, communicate donor requirements and concerns to Divisions and Bureaux.
- Supervise the recording and tracking of contributions.
- Follow-up the funding situation of specific programme areas and update the corresponding funding and projection tables. Share funding tables with relevant Bureaux, Divisions and Offices to build common understanding on funding status and needs.
- In collaboration with respective Bureaux, Divisions and UNHCR Offices, prepare narrative and financial reports on contributions, in compliance with specific donor requirements. Actively contribute to donor recognition efforts as needed, in collaboration with other colleagues.
- Facilitate Public Partnerships and Financing Service training events for field staff as required.
- 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.

Additional duties for positions in major donor capitals
- Establish targeted donor engagement strategies to strengthen partnerships, sustain support and leverage additional fundraising opportunities in coordination with the Public Partnerships and Financing Service and the Regional Bureau.
- Identify opportunities to diversify income streams and grow current level of contributions.
- Develop and cultivate network of counterparts and influencers, including in relevant ministries, parliament and local government.
- Continuously review actions and strategies with a specific focus on monitoring and analysing: key decision points, donor policies on humanitarian assistance, potential for accessing transition and development funding sources, and situation of organizations competing with UNHCR for funds. Develop and maintain donor profile and plan.
- In collaboration with the respective Bureau, Divisions and UNHCR Offices, prepare submissions for specific funding from donor or provide other information donor might require in determining their financial support to UNHCR.
- Represent donor interests, communicate donor requirements and concerns to Divisions and Bureaux.
- Actively contribute to donor recognition efforts as needed, in collaboration with other concerned colleagues.
- 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.

Additional duties for positions in Regional Bureaux
- Develop country or regional strategies to raise locally available funds, including from UN pooled funds.
- In collaboration with the Public Partnerships and Financing Service, develop appropriate, high-quality funding submissions, information papers and donor reports; in collaboration with the Public Partnerships and Financing Service and country offices, support the negotiation of - contributions from local funding sources, including CERF and country-based pooled funds, striving for timeliness, predictability and maximum flexibility.
- Liaise with respective country offices to have regional understanding of the funding needs as well as funding priorities amongst different countries.
- Ensure aligned messaging on UNHCR's funding requirements, priorities and policies. Ensure that the Bureau and operations implement and adhere to UNHCR corporate fundraising priorities and procedures.
- Function as contact point for donors in the region and ensure the Bureau's reflexive outreach to relevant counterparts and embassies, including by senior staff. In collaboration with the Public Partnerships and Financing Service, develop appropriate, high-quality funding submissions, information papers and donor reports.
- Implement and coordinate donor recognition efforts in the region, in collaboration with the other concerned colleagues/Public Partnerships and Financing Service.
- Support Bureau management and the Public Partnerships and Financing Service in responding in a timely and substantive manner to issues involving the integrity of UNHCR operations.
- Review and edit all relevant narrative and data information for presentation in the Global Appeals and Global Reports as well as any other UNHCR appeal or report documents.
- Contribute to regional funding appeals, HRPs, RRRPs, and other similar mechanisms, in coordination with the Public Partnerships and Financing Service.
- Facilitate Public Partnerships and Financing Service training events for Field and Bureaux staff as required.
- Keep abreast of UNHCR's operations in the region in order to establish UNHCR as a reference point and meet donors' information needs on all aspects of the work of the Office.
- Support the resource allocation and reallocation process.

- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.

- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant 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
Experience in strategic external engagement with donors, UN agencies, partners and governments. Ability to build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Understanding of humanitarian programming and demonstrated ability to effectively advocate.

Desirable
Good understanding of the role of the UN in humanitarian emergencies, its agencies and ways of working. Good research, policy analysis and report writing skills. Track record in resource mobilization and first-hand experience in managing donor relations. Clear understanding of the workings of major donor perspectives, requirements and standards. Knowledge of UNHCR's policies on programme management, resource allocation, financial rules, as well as UNHCR¿s information systems and databases.

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
*CL-Strategy Development and Monitoring
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.

The candidate selected for this position must possess a thorough knowledge of resource mobilization and public partnerships more broadly. He/she should be able to pro-actively identify development funding opportunities and provide strategic support to field operations on how to pursue and retain/grow these. In addition, this post requires the following specific skills and experience:  
 
Knowledge of UNHCR: It is expected that the candidate will be thoroughly familiar with UNHCR – in particular with field operations - and how these are framed within a sustainable responses lens. He/she will have served in the field in a resource mobilization and/or development function. 
 
Development experience: A suitable candidate will have experience working in the development sphere, either with bilateral development agencies and/or multilateral development banks. With this experience, he/she will be able to “speak development” with development partners, as well as guide UNHCR operations on how to strategically engage with them.

Stakeholder management skills: The suitable candidate will be able to navigate in the development space, where a number of different entities within UNHCR operate. In so doing, he/she will play a key role in optimizing resource mobilization opportunities via development sources, in line with UNHCR’s overall development plan of action.
 
Fluency in French is desirable.

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French

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Operational context

Nature of Position:

An essential pillar of UNHCR’s resource mobilization strategy is strengthening partnerships and enhancing fundraising efforts to engage transition and development actors, thereby facilitating more sustainable responses. The Senior Donor Relations Officer - Development, positioned within the Global Public Partnerships and Financing Service (GPS) and reporting directly to the Head of Service, leads a dedicated team to strategically position UNHCR in accessing these funding streams.  

 

Funding from multilateral, bilateral and UN development funding sources is a small but growing part of UNHCR’s overall funding. Significant sources of development funding include the European Union, The Netherlands (Prospects Partnership), KOICA (Korea), Germany (BMZ) and Africa Development Bank. Development sources of funding for climate action and for elements of the route-based approach (e.g. capacity support to national asylum systems), are expected to become more important.  Between 2024 and 2025, funding from development sources increased by 20%. This is an important complement to UNHCR’s significant investment in strategic partnerships with development actors.  

 

Securing development funding is complex and requires not only a deep understanding of donor institutions, policies, and processes but also an in-depth knowledge of UNHCR’s own systems, regulations, and operational frameworks. Success in this role depends on robust interpersonal skills to engage and coordinate effectively across internal and external teams throughout project development and contract negotiations, including key entities like the Sustainable Response Service (SRS), the Division of Emergency and Programme Support (DEPS), the Division of Resource Management (DRM), and the Legal Affairs Service (LAS), as well as Regional Bureaus, country operations, and other teams within DER. 

  

As UNHCR expands development-focused funding, this position is pivotal in bolstering capacity for partnerships with development actors—addressing the organization’s existing experience and aligning systems to support project-based funding. In addition to being the focal point for policy development on development engagement and sustainable responses, the Senior Public Partnerships Officer (Development) provides essential support to the Head of Service and DER Director on strategic issues related to development partnerships.  

   

Key Responsibilities:  

• Leading Development Partnerships: Serve as GPS’s main focal point for partnerships with bilateral and multilateral development actors, driving UNHCR’s engagement with these key stakeholders.  

• Coordinating Strategic Communication: Act as a central liaison for SRS, DEPS, DRM, and LAS, ensuring unified organizational communication on development funding and related issues.  

• Guiding Fundraising Strategy: Provide strategic fundraising guidance to field operations, regional bureaux, and GPS while supporting contract negotiations and contribution management as funding is secured.  

• Advancing the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus: Support UNHCR’s work on the nexus, providing insights on internal reform and broader UN Reform objectives.  

• Maintaining Current Knowledge: Stay updated on UNHCR’s activities within the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, particularly partnerships with international financial institutions, bilateral development agencies, the OECD, and similar bodies.  

• Enhancing Training and Resources: Continuously update training materials on development funding and fundraising strategies, ensuring alignment with evolving donor priorities and processes.  

Additional Qualifications

Skills

PR-Durable Solutions - Peace-building (Fund), PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes), UN-UN/UNHCR Reforms

Bachelor of Arts: Communication, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Journalism, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Public Policy, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Budgeting - Other, Coordination Skills Workshop - Other, Development Studies - Other, External Relations - Other

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, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Flash Vacancy Notice

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance