Niger: Associate External Relations Officer (Fund Raising)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the direct supervision of the External Relations Officer, and with guidance from senior management, the candidate will be part of a small team jointly responsible for external relations, including donor relations and fund raising, inter-agency coordination and reporting for the UNHCR Niger operation.

The External Relations unit deals with a broad range of donors on a daily basis, including through proposal development, reporting, information sharing and briefings.

The candidate will work closely with other UN agencies and NGOs in the preparation of planning and advocacy documents, most particularly the Nigeria Regional Refugee Response Plan. This includes the regular provision of timely and accurate reports to regional counterparts.

The candidate is expected to keep abreast of the security, political and economic climate of the country, and all goings-on in the operation, in order to feed into all external information produced, including, internal and external updates, talking points during donor meeting and coordination meeting, etc.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

• External partners are informed regularly on all aspects of the protection and well-being of persons of concern and the status of UNHCR operations.
• Missions from Headquarters, donors are well received and briefed.
• Quality proposals for funding, as well as narrative reports are submitted in a timely fashion to donors in coordination with respective Bureau and DRRM/PSFR.
• Government donors are regularly lobbied and kept well informed on UNHCR's operations, priorities and funding needs, and engaged in a strategic dialogue with UNHCR to maintain/increase contributions.
• The organization's standing with donor audiences is maintained.
• Narrative and financial reports are submitted in a timely fashion so that donors are fully informed of the use of their contributions and in a position to make qualified decisions about further contributions.

Responsibility

• Maintain close dialogue with and provide information to relevant donor governments on UNHCR operations and financial requirements including responding to donor governments' requests for information on ad hoc basis.
• In consultation with management, Regional Bureau and HQ, identify and access new donors and funding sources as per DRRM's strategy.
• In collaboration with respective Bureaux, Divisions and UNHCR Offices, prepare submissions for specific funding from donors and provide other information donors may require in determining their financial / political support to UNHCR.
• Draft timely and high quality narrative reports on contributions, in compliance with specific donor requirements.
• Monitor recording and tracking of contributions and take necessary action to satisfy donor requirements.
• Review and edit all country level narrative and data information for presentation in the Global Appeals and Global Reports as well as any other appeal or report documents.
• Ensure contributions are properly recorded and funding and projections tables accurately updated.
• Assist the implementation of a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR's operations from external partners.
• Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide relevant information on UNHCR operations and financial requirements by organizing briefings, bilateral meetings and missions and responding to donors¿ requests for information on an ad hoc basis.
• Disseminate information on UNHCR¿s funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement programmes and projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for persons of concern in the country operation.
• Assist in the coordination of the drafting of, situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
• Ensure appropriate visibility for donor contributions in compliance with UNHCR guidelines and specific donor requirements.
• Consolidate information on UNHCR¿s country operations and identify appropriate messages for campaigns and appeals.
• Undertake missions and field trips with donors and official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work.
• Engage actively in the planning process and reporting as regards to the Regional Refugee Plan. Provide regular reports and updates as required.

Authority

• Represent UNHCR on behalf of senior management in fundraising priorities in inter-agency initiatives and fora.
• Initiate discussions on possible texts for funding agreements with government donors.
• Advise management and External Relations unit on fund raising messages for specific donors or relating to specific situations.
• As appropriate, represent UNHCR in meetings and correspondence with government donors, and represent UNHCR in internal and external meetings as requested by management.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Undergraduate degree (Equivalent of a BA/BS) in International Relations, Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration/Management Communications, International Law or similar relevant field plus minimum 3 years of previous work experience at professional level in UNHCR or other organizations that work in humanitarian relief/protection activities.
  Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) plus 2 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 1 year of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
• Good understanding of UNHCR, its mandate, priorities, field operations and donor relationship.
• Excellent communication skills with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Excellent command of English (written/oral/comprehension); highly developed drafting skills.
• Working knowledge of French.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• Experience in (UNHCR) field operations.
• UNHCR fundraising and programming experience.
• Familiarity with funding mechanisms of assigned donor governments.
• Exposure to UNHCR specific learning/training activities.
• Experience in working with multiple partners and organizations.

Application

Interested candidates should submit their application online at http://www.unhcr.org/careers.html by clicking on "international vacancies". All currently available vacancies are advertised on our career page at https://www.unhcr.org/careers.html.

Please note that the closing date is Tuesday 16 April 2019 (midnight Geneva time).

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.