EXTERNAL RELATIONS OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General, Department of Operational Support (DOS). The Donor and External Relations Officer reports to the Senior Programme Management Officer in the Performance Analytics Section. The United Nations Department of Operational Support (DOS) provides operational support to UN Secretariat entities globally, including advisory, operational and transactional support services in: human resources, health-care management and occupational safety services; supply chain management including logistics, procurement and support for uniformed capabilities; operational planning and support to start-up, surge, draw-down and liquidation in UN Secretariat entities; UNHQ administrative services and campus support; and, operational information and communications technology (ICT). ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Donor and External Relations Officer will be responsible for developing and nurturing strategic partnerships with current donors and for developing relationships and partnerships with potential future donors in support of the activities of DOS in order to achieve a broad and sustained donor base for DOS. The incumbent will also contribute to a department-wide consistent and coherent approach to fundraising, and develop methodology, processes and tools for the management of DOS donor funded projects/programmes. The incumbent will also assist the Chief of Section in any other related tasks, as required. Supervision of junior staff may be required. This function involves pursuing opportunities for donor engagement, strengthening partnerships, sustaining support and leveraging additional fundraising opportunities for the department. The incumbent will also identify opportunities to diversify income streams, grow the current level of contributions, as well as identify requirements to protect and sustain donor income. The Donor and External Relations Officer will also provide support to counterparts within the Department to be able to serve donors’ information needs on all aspects of the work of DOS. Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with current donors in order to ensure their sustained support to DOS, and with new donors in order to achieve a broad donor base for DOS by: - Mapping donor priorities, interests, funding lines and partnership opportunities. - Designing a fundraising and engagement strategy based on departmental funding needs and donor interests. - Preparing funding submissions, negotiating contributions and funding arrangements, monitoring and reporting on agreed contributions and responding to ad hoc requests for information from donors and potential donors. - Engaging with existing or potential partners to ensure they are familiar with and updated on DOS' work, priorities, challenges and needs (including through annual consultations, thematic donor briefings, virtual/in situ donor visits, participation in events, etc.). Contribute to a department-wide consistent and coherent approach to partnerships/donor relations, outreach efforts, and communications by: - Ensuring coherent messaging to donors based on consolidated funding needs, including through advising DOS pillars on DOS' fundraising approaches. - Developing a communications strategy for DOS. - Working closely with relevant focal points to develop and prepare a diverse range of information communications products, use effective communications, outreach, branding and other resource mobilization mechanisms and tools to enhance the visibility of DOS with regard to existing and potential donors. - Preparing various written outputs like briefing notes, strategic and position papers for senior management, as required. Ensure effective development and utilization of methodology, processes and tools for the management of DOS donor-funded projects/programmes, by: - Following up on funding submissions, pledges and the use of contributions and ensuring the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date information for senior management, staff and donors, making use of existing systems and developing relevant dashboards and informational tools. - In collaboration with the DOS Executive Office, monitoring the recording and tracking of contributions against donor agreements to ensure accuracy of data. - Developing related guidance materials for training of DOS' staff. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of different aspects of donor relations and resource mobilization. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement complex information, indicators. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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 ensuring 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. EducationAdvanced university degree (Masters or equivalent degree), preferably in social and political science, public administration, business administration or management, economics, public communications, international relations or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceAt least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in donor relations and resource mobilization is required. Experience in developing donor appeals is required. Experience in programme management is required. Experience in operational support, supply chain, logistics, engineeering, procurement, health management, or similar is desirable. Experience in results-based management is desirable. Experience working within the UN common system or similar international organization is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of another UN official. language is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as \"retirement.\" Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. 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. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. 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