External Relations Officer, P4

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Regional Office for Eastern Africa of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Addis Ababa. The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Regional Representative in Addis Ababa, and general supervision of the Chief of the Donor and External Relations Section in Geneva.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the External Relations Officer will be responsible of the following duties:

• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with current donors (governments, intergovernmental organizations, UN pooled funds and joint programmes, private donors) in the region, in order to ensure their sustained support to OHCHR’s field presences in the region by:
  • Mapping donor priorities, interest, funding lines and partnership opportunities within the region;
  • Designing an engagement strategy with current donors based on OHCHR’s Resource Mobilization and Partnership Strategy;
  • Preparing funding submissions, negotiating contributions and funding arrangements, monitoring and reporting on agreed contributions and responding to ad hoc requests for information from donors;
  • Reviewing funding needs and opportunities for the regional office and other field presences in the region and aligning fundraising requests/partner support to approved work and cost plans;
  • Engaging with existing partners in the region to ensure they are updated on OHCHR’s work, challenges and needs (including through local annual consultations, thematic donor briefings, virtual/in situ donor visits in the region, participation in events, etc.).
• Develops partnerships with new donors (governments, intergovernmental organizations, UN pooled funds and joint programmes, private donors) in order to achieve a broad donor base for OHCHR in the region by:
  • Designing an engagement strategy with potential donors based on OHCHR’s Resource Mobilization and Partnership Strategy;
  • Engaging with/cultivating new donors to ensure they are familiar with OHCHR’s priorities and needs (including through meetings, briefings, virtual/in situ visits in the region, participation in events, etc.);
  • Preparing funding submissions and other relevant materials, responding to ad hoc requests for information from potential donors and reviewing funding opportunities for the regional office and other field presences in the region;
  • Reviewing funding streams of and engagements with UNCTs in the region to ensure OHCHR’s resource mobilization in the region is compatible/aligned/informed by their fundraising as well.
• Contributes to an office-wide consistent and coherent approach to fundraising by:
  • Ensuring coherent messaging to donors at Geneva, New York and the regional office’s levels;
  • Assisting the Donor and External Relations Capacity Development Officer, based in Geneva, to build resource mobilization capacity in the region;
  • Advising field presences in the region on OHCHR’s fundraising policies and approaches to ensure consistent messaging with donors;
  • Assisting OHCHR headquarters in cultivating potential donors from the region with the aim to support the overall work of OHCHR;
  • Preparing various written outputs like briefing notes, strategic and position papers for senior management, as requested.
• Assists the Regional Representative and the Chief of the Donor and External Relations Section in any other tasks related to the present terms of reference, as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. 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 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.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent degree), preferably in social and political science, public or business administration, 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.

Work Experience

• At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in human rights, humanitarian or development work, is required;
• Out of the seven years, at least five years of experience in donor relations and resource mobilization is required;
• Experience in developing partnerships with non-traditional donors (e.g. foundations, private sector entities, individuals) is desirable;
• Experience in results-based management is desirable;
• Experience working within the UN system or similar international organization is desirable.

Languages

• English 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 an advantage.

Application instructions

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