Donors Relations Officer

Org. Setting and ReportingUNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Donors Relations Officer reports to the respective Team Leader/ Senior External Relations and Projects Officer, as may be assigned. ResponsibilitiesExternal Relations: 1. Manages relationships with a portfolio of donors, and organizes and participates in missions – both to donor capitals and to UNRWA Fields -- and meetings with donor countries, as necessary; provides a consistently high level of customer service to local donor representatives and their officials in capitals; 2. Gathers market research on target countries to assess their fundraising potential for UNRWA; actively pursues innovative avenues of cooperation for funding opportunities; develops country strategy papers and associated work plans and works in close coordination with senior management to implement these plans; 3. When requested, prepares briefing documents for senior management including the Commissioner-General, the Deputy Commissioner-General and other relevant members of the Executive Office, the Director of External Relations and Communications, and the Representative Offices in New York, Washington and Brussels; 4. Ensures the dissemination of accurate information regarding the Agency’s functions among government officials, media, civil society, and the public; analyzes, reviews and edits project progress reports and drafts correspondence for the purpose of fundraising and advocacy; 5. Contributes to the promotion and implementation of the Agency’s Resource Mobilization Strategy with results-oriented concrete actions; supports senior managers in policy-level bilateral discussions with Member State civil servants or at the political level; organizes and participates in donor field trips in the five fields of operations; 6. Contributes to the development and strategic use of outreach materials for the purpose of fundraising; Projects funding support; 1. Monitors the implementation of an Agency-wide portfolio of projects funded by various donor countries; 2. Negotiates bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with donors on behalf of the Agency; negotiates and drafts project proposals with donors in coordination with implementing Departments; analyzes, reviews and edits project proposals and progress reports; 3. Liaises with Field Offices and donors for the preparation of proposals; reviews final drafts of proposals for submission to donors and drafts correspondence relating to submission of reports, use of savings and interest and other related issues; 4. Liaises with the Finance Department and the Programme Directors to verify information and clearances of proposals for submission to donors; 5. Provides guidance to Field Offices and Headquarters Departments to enhance the quality of proposals and report writing; 6. Works with Finance Department, Field Offices and Programme Departments to ensure timely submission of progress and final reports; consults with donors on requests regarding extension or modification of projects, if any; 7. Ensures proactive coordination with concerned Departments, Field Offices and Representatives Offices on contributions, donor-funded projects and external relations activities and ensures timely follow-up; 8. As required, takes responsibility for strengthening department-wide efforts to enhance UNRWA’s brand profile, particularly with donors, including production of a bi-weekly Donor Communiqué, communications tools in line with programme funding and advocacy priorities, and contributions to reporting; CompetenciesUN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. i. Applying Technical Expertise ii. Relating and Networking iii. Persuading and Influencing iv. Learning and Researching v. Planning and Organizing EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in political science, international relations, business or public or business administration, law, economics, development or humanitarian studies or a related discipline. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceAdvanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in political science, international relations, business or public or business administration, law, economics, development or humanitarian studies or a related discipline is required. At least five years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in fundraising, donor relations, political analysis, and/or institutional cooperation project management in the context of the UN, donor governments or international non–governmental organizations is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, political organizations, military, or have/are engaged in activities or have made any public statements, that could be seen to impact their neutrality, objectivity or independence in the performance of their duties for the UN / UNRWA. Any declaration will not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration for this post. Knowledge of another United Nations language is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. There are no additional desirable languages specified. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).