UNHCR PSP Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on December 14, 1950, by the United Nations General Assembly. The organization is dedicated to leading and coordinating international efforts to protect refugees and resolve refugee-related issues globally. Its primary mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, ensuring that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state. UNHCR also facilitates voluntary return, local integration, or resettlement in a third country for refugees. Since its inception, UNHCR has assisted millions of individuals, including asylum seekers, refugees, returnees, stateless persons, and internally displaced individuals. The organization has made significant interventions in protection, shelter, health, and education, helping to heal past traumas and build brighter futures. The UNHCR Office in China was established in 1979, and despite China being a party to the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol since 1982, there is no comprehensive national law governing asylum. UNHCR continues to register asylum seekers, conduct refugee status determinations, and provide direct assistance to refugees in mainland China. The organization advocates for the implementation of regulations concerning refugee treatment and works to enhance the capacity of the Chinese government to fulfill its obligations under international refugee law. UNHCR collaborates with various stakeholders in China to ensure adequate protection and assistance for persons of concern, while also seeking durable solutions for refugees. The Private Sector Partnerships Service (PSP) operates within UNHCR’s Division of External Relations, focusing on mobilizing resources and support from the private sector. In 2019, the UNHCR China Office established a Private Sector Partnerships team to engage with the Chinese private sector and support global initiatives. The PSP Beijing team has successfully launched multiple online fundraising campaigns to raise awareness and mobilize donations from the public, navigating the unique legal framework for public fundraising in China. The PSP Associate position is crucial for supporting the team in achieving its fundraising targets and managing relationships with partners and stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The PSP Associate will play a vital role within the Private Sector Partnerships Service (PSP) at UNHCR, reporting directly to the PSP Officer and collaborating closely with the entire PSP Beijing team. This position involves supporting both the Individual Giving (IG) and Private Partnerships and Philanthropy (PPH) teams in their foundation-related efforts. The associate will be responsible for liaising with legal firms to secure legal support for PSP Beijing and managing relationships with relevant government counterparts, including the Ministry of Civil Affairs and foundation partners. The role requires a proactive approach to planning and designing digital fundraising campaigns tailored to the Chinese market, ensuring compliance with local regulations. The associate will also be tasked with producing high-quality content for digital campaigns, generating timely reports, and maintaining effective communication with stakeholders to enhance donor engagement. The position demands a strong understanding of UNHCR’s global mandate and operations, as well as the ability to meet the specific requirements of corporate and foundation partners. The PSP Associate will contribute to the development of fundraising strategies, monitor the fundraising environment in China, and provide legal insights to inform PSP activities. This role is essential for expanding UNHCR’s engagement with the private sector and ensuring the successful execution of fundraising initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The PSP Associate will be responsible for a variety of tasks aimed at supporting the PSP team in achieving its fundraising objectives. Key responsibilities include:

• Accountability: Supporting the PSP team to meet fundraising targets, planning and designing digital fundraising campaigns suitable for the Chinese market, and providing quality support for partnership development and engagement.
• Content Production: Collaborating with PSP HQ and UNHCR Foundation partners to scope, identify, and produce new themes and content for digital campaigns, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.
• Stakeholder Liaison: Engaging with key stakeholders to ensure adherence to processes and procedures, updating online and offline content, and supporting the UNHCR Chinese website as needed.
• Market Analysis: Conducting market landscape analysis to inform PSP activities, monitoring relevant policy developments, and overseeing the procurement process for external vendors, including legal firms.
• Partnership Management: Assisting in managing partnerships with existing foundation partners, facilitating legal agreements, and collaborating with the Associate PPH Officer on private sector accounts.
• Legal Support: Providing legal insights to inform fundraising strategies and ensuring compliance with local laws.
• Reporting: Generating timely reports and feedback to enhance donor engagement and communication.
• Additional Tasks: Undertaking other tasks as required to support the PSP team and UNHCR’s objectives.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a high school diploma or a university degree in International Development, Journalism, Communications, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field. Candidates must have a minimum of three years of relevant experience with a high school diploma or two years of experience with a bachelor’s degree or higher. At least one year of experience in communications, particularly in producing and publishing online and offline digital content within the mainland Chinese context, is essential. Additionally, candidates should have at least two years of experience in partnership development and engagement, with strong skills in preparing partnership materials such as proposals, newsletters, and reports for various private partnership audiences. A vast knowledge of online and offline content production is crucial, along with the ability to write high-quality communication materials in Simplified Chinese and English. Experience in implementing effective stewardship programs and current market knowledge of private sector fundraising in China are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed a high school diploma or possess a university degree in a relevant field such as International Development, Journalism, Communications, Public Policy, or Business Administration. A strong educational background in these areas will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of fundraising and partnership development within the context of UNHCR’s mission.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant experience for candidates with a high school diploma, or two years of experience for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Candidates should have at least one year of experience in communications, specifically in producing and publishing digital content tailored to the mainland Chinese market. Additionally, a minimum of two years of experience in partnership development and engagement is essential, demonstrating the ability to manage relationships with various stakeholders effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in both Chinese and English is mandatory for this position, as the role involves producing content and engaging with diverse audiences in both languages. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a UNOPS LICA6 role, with a contract that is renewable each calendar year. The position is not remote and is based in Beijing, China. The role is categorized under a hardship level of A, indicating the least hardship, and is suitable for family staff members or affiliates. The target start date for this position is September 7, 2026, and the deadline for applications is August 26, 2026.