Senior Donor Relations Officer

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 incumbent will have excellent interpersonal skills, political awareness and diplomatic skills, as she will interact on a daily basis with donors, as well as UNHCR operations, Regional Bureaux, Divisions, and the Executive Office. The position requires extensive writing and editing in English on short deadlines, so the incumbent should have demonstrated ability in this area. The incumbent will require a good understanding of headquarters processes as well as familiarity with UNHCR operations and programme management processes, as the incumbent manages a large number of proposals.
The incumbent must have a strong eye for detail and excellent organization skills are essential.

He/she will need to be pro-active in continuously pursuing funding opportunities and modalities in UNHCR’s best interest. A deep understanding of donor funding modalities, notably that of Germany, is therefore required for this post.

Managerial experience is needed, in view of the team’s heavy workload, pressure to deliver, while safeguarding staff well-being.

German essential.

German

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

This position falls within Donor Group VI in Global Public Partnerships and Financing Service (GPS) which covers Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, and other European donors. The team consists of five members (a Senior Donor Relations Officer, two Donor Relations Officers, a JPO, and an income recorder); the team works closely together and backs each other up on all matters. In addition, this team has oversight on the complex multi-year Dutch-funded PROSPECTS project which covers multiple Bureaus.

Under the supervision of the Associate Head of Service, this Senior Donor Relations Officer position is responsible for the following:

 

• Manage the institutional relationship between UNHCR and the German Federal Foreign Office (in collaboration also with colleagues covering other German funding sources).

• Provide advice to senior leadership and field operations on how best to engage with the German government in order to maximize partnership and funding opportunities.

• In collaboration with UNHCR Berlin, closely monitor political developments in Germany, especially those with budgetary implications.

• Supervise the team responsible for Germany, as well as Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland among others (In 2023, this team was responsible for bringing in more than $630m.)

• The incumbent is responsible for keeping donor counterparts well informed on UNHCR's programme activities and funding needs and engaged in a strategic dialogue with UNHCR to maintain or increase contributions and keep them as flexible as possible; develop and implement fund-raising strategies, including exploring new opportunities; submit quality funding proposals to government donors; submit quality narrative and financial reports in a timely fashion so that donors are fully informed of the use of their contributions and in a position to make decisions about further contributions.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Editing, CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches, DM-Data interpretation, reporting and presentation, ER-Donor Visibility, MG-Diplomacy, MG-Organisational Culture and Behaviour, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)

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

Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise

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