Senior Donor Relations Officer (Asia)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East, established to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. With over 30,000 staff members, UNRWA operates across five areas of operation, focusing on education, health care, social services, and emergency assistance. The agency is committed to helping Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development despite the challenging circumstances they face. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to ensure that Palestine refugees can lead dignified lives and have access to essential services and opportunities for development. For more details on UNRWA, please visit their official website.

Job Overview:
The Senior Donor Relations Officer (Asia) plays a crucial role in developing and implementing the region's strategy on external relations and fundraising. This position involves managing relationships with key donors across Asia and ensuring a high level of responsiveness and service to these donors. The officer will actively seek innovative funding opportunities from both public and private donors in the wider Asia region. Additionally, the officer will provide strategic counsel to senior management, including the Director of Partnerships and the Director of External Relations. The role requires negotiating bilateral agreements and drafting project proposals in collaboration with field offices, as well as analyzing and editing project proposals and progress reports. The officer will also be responsible for producing briefing materials and talking points for senior management and participating in high-level missions to donor capitals, major meetings, and conferences. The position emphasizes the importance of proactive coordination with various departments and offices to ensure timely follow-up on contributions and donor-funded projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the region's strategy on external relations and fundraising.
• Manage relationships with key donors across Asia, ensuring high responsiveness and service.
• Pursue innovative funding opportunities from public and private donors.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior management regarding donor relations.
• Negotiate bilateral agreements and MOUs with donors on behalf of UNRWA.
• Draft project proposals and progress reports in coordination with field offices.
• Produce correspondence for fundraising and advocacy purposes.
• Create briefing materials and talking points for senior management.
• Organize and participate in senior-level missions to donor capitals. 1
• Participate in major meetings and conferences with donors and senior government officials. 1
• Organize donor field trips to UNRWA's areas of operation. 1
• Develop outreach materials and media for public awareness and fundraising. 1
• Contribute to fundraising documents, appeals, and policy reports. 1
• Ensure proactive coordination with departments and offices on donor-funded projects and external relations activities.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in political science, international relations, public administration, law, economics, or a related discipline.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in donor relations and fundraising for national/international organizations or development agencies.
• Proven track record in fundraising within Asia.
• At least five years of experience managing mid-size teams.
• Knowledge of UNRWA and the wider UN system is desirable.
• Knowledge of a second UN language is desirable.
• Command of a major East Asian language is desirable.
• Experience working with major Asian donors (e.g., Japan, Korea, or China) is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in political science, international relations, public administration, law, economics, or a related discipline. A first-level university degree combined with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least seven years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in donor relations and fundraising, specifically within national or international organizations or development agencies. A proven track record in fundraising within Asia is essential. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of experience managing mid-size teams, demonstrating leadership and management skills in a complex environment.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of a second UN language is desirable, and command of a major East Asian language is also considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is a UN Regular Budget post with a contract duration of one year, which may be extended based on performance and organizational needs. Applications must be submitted through UNRWA's online e-recruitment system, and late applications will not be accepted. The agency is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from this selection exercise, allowing successful candidates to be eligible for future appointments to similar posts. UNRWA does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is committed to maintaining a non-smoking work environment.