JOB DESCRIPTION

B

Family

Family

NOA

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-09-15

August 26, 2025

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.

The External Engagement Unit in Maputo is seeking a motivated and skilled candidate with solid experience in donor relations, fundraising, and external relations, preferably within the humanitarian or development sector. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong analytical and writing capabilities, fluency in English and Portuguese (both written and oral), and familiarity with results-based frameworks and resource mobilization. A deep understanding of the Mozambican context—particularly the displacement situation in Cabo Delgado and broader displacement issues—is highly desirable. The role demands cultural sensitivity, strategic thinking, and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a diverse team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Knowledge of local languages is an asset.

Portuguese

,

English

,

,

,

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:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an international organization with the mandate to assist persons in need of international protection; asylum seekers; refugees; stateless persons; and internally displaced persons. The UNHCR operation in Mozambique has its main office in Maputo, a sub-office in Pemba, a field office in Nampula, and two field units in Cabo Delgado. The working language of the UNHCR offices in Mozambique is English.

The Assistant Donor Relations Officer position is based in Maputo and will report to the External Relations Officer. The Assistant Donor Relations Officer position in Maputo is a key role within UNHCR’s External Engagement Unit, contributing to the Office’s overall efforts to strengthen partnerships, mobilize resources, and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. Resource mobilization lies at the heart of the Assistant Donor Relations Officer position, the candidate will support efforts to secure political and financial support for UNHCR’s operations through close engagement with actors such as donors, governments, other UN agencies, and regional partners. This includes drafting funding proposals and reports in line with results-based management principles, sustaining donor relationships, and identifying new funding opportunities. In addition to maintaining and expanding dialogue with donors, the candidate will support the preparation of proposals, reports, and briefings. The role requires fluent English writing skills and the ability to represent UNHCR credibly and professionally in meetings and written communication with external actors. The candidate will also provide broader support to the External Engagement Unit, including in the areas of public information, communications, and internal and external reporting.

Living and Working Conditions:

The position is based in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, located in the south of the country. Maputo is an A, family duty-station. According to the latest United Nations data, the current population of Mozambique is estimated at 34 million as of mid-2023. This is equivalent to 0.42% of the total world population. The population density in Mozambique is 43 people per square kilometer2. The largest city and capital is Maputo, with a population of 1.2 million. Mozambique is a large country in Southeast Africa, with an area of 801,590 sq. km. It has a tropical climate, with two main seasons: a wet season from October to March, and a dry season from May to August. The wet season can bring heavy rains and cyclones, especially in the coastal areas. The dry season is generally sunny and pleasant, but sometimes cold air masses from South Africa can lower the temperature and average daily temperature ranging from 13 °C to 24 °C.

Maputo is a B, Family duty-station where the security level is considered low (2).
The security situation in the Southern area is relatively calm, the biggest concern being criminality in the main urban centers of Maputo, Matola, Xai-Xai and Inhambane cities. Floods occur every two to three years, with higher levels of risk in the southern provinces. Seasonal rains (November to April) and the lack of drainage infrastructure to accommodate stormwater runoff often leads to flash floods.

Traffic accidents are common in Mozambique due to the poor condition of the roads and poor driving and vehicle standards. The metical is the local currency and exchange rate stands at USD 1 equivalent to about 63.25 meticais (MZN) as per April 2025. There is a wide range of Banks and ATMs to meet financial needs. Credit/debit cards are accepted in most places.

The public healthcare system in Mozambique is basic and limited. Private clinics can be found in Maputo and other larger cities in Mozambique. Mozambique lies in a malaria zone, so the necessary precautions should be taken: Avoiding mosquito bites by using nets, candles and sprays is recommended. Vaccinations for diphtheria, hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid are recommended. Tap water in Mozambique is not safe to drink, so bottled or boiled water should be used instead. Communication and transport services are available at various costs. The housing market is healthy but quite expensive, with a wide selection of apartments and houses for rent. Apartments can be rented around 1300-1600 USD per month.

Maputo has several open food markets and several large supermarkets that sell food, clothing, and household goods at reasonable prices. There are cinemas, several bars and discotheques for entertainment. Maputo is only two to three hours’ drive away from Swaziland (Mbabane) and South Africa (Nelspruit).

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance