EXTERNAL RELATIONS OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Donor and External Relation Section within the External Outreach Service of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Geneva, under the supervision of the Chief of the Donor and External Relations Section.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Section the direct supervision of a P4 External Relations Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: 1) Support the strategic positioning of OHCHR with its donor community, in particular through the communication of results, by: a) Developing the Annual Appeal of OHCHR; b) Supporting donor communications duties as required. 2) Serve as focal point for portfolio of assigned donors (governments, intergovernmental organizations and others to generate and encourage the highest level of donor contributions by: a) Maintaining frequent and extensive contacts with assigned donors, including with the permanent missions in Geneva and donors’ capitals as appropriate; b) Participating in the negotiation of contributions and funding arrangements with assigned donors (governments, intergovernmental organizations and others), striving for timeliness, predictability and flexibility and explores/researches additional sources of funding depending on assigned portfolio; c) Preparing funding submissions; coordinating the presentation of strategies and programmes to the donors with OHCHR Divisions/branches and the field if appropriate including during annual consultations; d) Coordinating adequate follow-up to reporting obligations, including preparing ad hoc reports and inputs into the Annual Report and reviewing and following-up on funding agreements with assigned donors. 3) Develop and maintain key strategic partnerships with new donors (governments, intergovernmental organizations and others) in order to achieve a broad donor base for OHCHR by: a) Developing an in depth understanding of assigned donors’ (governments, intergovernmental organizations and others) human rights, development and humanitarian policies and analyses opportunities for enhanced cooperation with OHCHR; b) Organizing and participating in donor briefings; traveling to capitals to discuss with interlocutors in the relevant Ministries or partners as appropriate depending on portfolio; c) Ensuring that appropriate fundraising tools and information are provided and disseminated to existing and potential donors including the Annual Appeal. d) Updating relevant parts of OHCHR website. 4) Contribute to ensuring an office wide consistent and coherent approach to fundraising by: a) Providing advice to Divisions/Branches and field offices on office-wide fundraising policies, strategies and approaches. Keeping assigned donor profiles updated. Accompanying the Chief, of Section and senior management as appropriate on their missions to State capitals or relevant donor headquarters for fundraising purposes; b) Preparing various written outputs like briefing notes, strategic and position papers for the senior management as requested. Drafting correspondence for donors; preparing funding and other statistical tables; researching, compiling, maintaining and updating information on donor relations; c) Ensuring in cooperation with relevant colleagues at HQ and in the field, that appropriate fundraising tools and information materials such as newsletters, brochures, factsheets etc. are created and produced including the Annual Appeal. d)Ensuring in cooperation with the Finance and Budget Section in PSMS and other relevant sections/units that UN rules and procedures are duly respected. Following-up on pledges and the use of contributions and ensuring the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date information for senior management, staff and donors. Undertakes missions to the field offices in order to meet with the community of donors and coordinate fundraising and reporting activities with relevant staff members in the field offices. 5) Assist the Chief of Section in any of his/her tasks as requested.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Familiarity with the United Nations system and OHCHR’s mandates and activities. Knowledge in the area of resource mobilization and fundraising with various donor, including partnership building with stakeholders. Proven English drafting skills and project management abilities. Excellent analytical and negotiation skills and sound political judgement; very good ability to work under pressure, in a team and in a multi-cultural environment. Very good computer literacy. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensures the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. TEAM WORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) preferably in social and political science, economics, international relations, or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in the field of human rights/humanitarian or development work including field experience is required. Out of the five years, four years of experience in donor relations and resource mobilization, including partnership building, with governments and donors is required. Experience working with complex donors such as the European Commission is desirable. Experience in international affairs and working within the UN system or similar international organizations is desirable. Experience in developing donor communication content is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.