Senior Private Partnerships and Philanthropy Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an international organization established to lead and coordinate international action to protect and assist refugees and other persons of concern. Founded in 1950, UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to safeguarding the rights and well-being of refugees. The organization aims to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, and to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country. UNHCR's mission is to protect the rights of refugees and displaced persons, providing them with essential support and solutions to rebuild their lives. The organization is committed to mobilizing resources and building strategic partnerships with various stakeholders, including individuals, corporations, and philanthropic entities, to enhance its capacity to assist those in need.

Job Overview:
The Senior Private Partnerships and Philanthropy Associate will play a crucial role in the growth of Japan for UNHCR (J4U), focusing on the Major Donor and High-Net-Worth Individual (HNWI) program. This position involves identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships with prospective and existing major donors, HNWIs, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. The associate will be responsible for developing a well-researched pipeline of potential donors, converting prospects into committed supporters, and fostering long-term relationships that can lead to significant, flexible, multi-year contributions to UNHCR. The role requires collaboration with various internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to donor engagement and fundraising strategies. The incumbent will also be expected to monitor trends in Japan's philanthropic landscape and adapt global best practices to the local context, ensuring that UNHCR's fundraising efforts are effective and aligned with the organization's mission.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Build and manage a prioritized portfolio of prospective and existing major donors, HNWIs, and UHNWIs, overseeing the entire donor cycle from identification and qualification to cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, renewal, and upgrading.
• Conduct and coordinate prospect research, wealth screening, and relationship mapping to assess potential donors' giving capacity and philanthropic interests.
• Develop documented cultivation and solicitation strategies for priority prospects, including clear objectives, next actions, engagement opportunities, proposed asks, responsibilities, and timelines.
• Prepare and deliver tailored donor approaches and solicitations in collaboration with J4U and UNHCR colleagues to secure significant philanthropic commitments.
• Implement bespoke stewardship plans for assigned donors, ensuring engagement opportunities align with their interests and preferences.
• Cultivate relationships with family offices, private banks, wealth advisers, and philanthropic networks to enhance J4U's presence in Japan's major-giving ecosystem.
• Identify and coordinate high-level donor engagement opportunities, including briefings, roundtables, and philanthropic forums.
• Collaborate with J4U’s leadership and Board to activate relevant networks and relationships.
• Develop high-quality donor-facing materials in both Japanese and English, ensuring consistency with UNHCR's priorities and branding. 1
• Maintain accurate records of prospects, donors, and interactions in J4U’s CRM system. 1
• Monitor the health of the donor pipeline and contribute to income forecasting and planning. 1
• Ensure compliance with due diligence, data protection, and ethical fundraising standards. 1
• Stay informed about developments in Japan's philanthropic landscape and apply insights to donor strategies. 1
• Contribute to emergency fundraising efforts when necessary. 1
• Adapt global best practices to the Japanese context and share insights across UNHCR’s private-philanthropy network.

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of 4 years of relevant experience with a secondary school diploma, or 2 years with a bachelor's degree or higher.
• Proven experience in private philanthropy, major-gifts fundraising, donor relations, wealth management, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, cultivate, and manage relationships with major donors and senior stakeholders.
• Experience in developing donor strategies, proposals, and fundraising materials.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and complex opportunities.
• Excellent judgment and discretion in handling confidential information.

Educational Background:
A High School Diploma or a university degree (BA) in business, marketing, international relations, development, political science, or a related discipline is required for this position. A higher level of education may be preferred, particularly in fields related to fundraising or philanthropy.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience with a secondary school diploma, or 2 years with a bachelor's degree or higher. Candidates should have experience in private philanthropy, major-gifts fundraising, donor relations, wealth management, or related fields. Familiarity with the UN system or international NGOs is desirable, as is knowledge of Japan's philanthropic landscape.

Languages:
Fluency in Japanese and English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this role. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to applicants residing in Japan and is a full-time role, working Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (40 hours per week). The initial contract is expected to last until the end of the year, with the possibility of extension based on budget availability and performance. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified, and late applications will not be accepted.