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Senior External Relations Officer (DRRM)

Ankara

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Ankara
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
  • Closing Date: Closed

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Senior External Relations Officer (DRRM)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Senior External Relations Officer (DRRM) will head the Donor Relations and Resource Mobilization (DRRM) Unit.

The DRRM Unit was established early 2017 in an effort to consolidate donor relations responsibilities and resource mobilization efforts that had until then been fragmented. The Unit is responsible for establishing and maintaining good relationships with donors, raising and managing donor's funds, producing high quality and timely proposals and reports, and keeping donors abreast of the operation. The Unit is managing a high number of donor contribution agreements, many of which are funded by the European Union (EU). The European Union (EU) is a key donor in Turkey. UNHCR has established a strong working relationship both with the Directorate-General for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, and the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, both within and out of the scope of the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey. This relationship is based on a good understanding of the EU as an institution, its culture, and funding instruments, priorities, rules and regulations.

The Unit has five national and international staff members, all of whom will report to the incumbent.

The incumbent will receive guidance from the Assistant Representative (Operations). The incumbent will work closely with a number of units of the country operation (including but not limited to programme, protection, inter-agency, education, and livelihoods) and divisions/bureaux at headquarters (including but not limited to DRRM Brussels and Geneva, Europe and Middle East and North Africa Bureaux) to ensure that the fundraising efforts and messaging are in-line with the country operation and headquarters' priorities, and that UNHCR Turkey and global agenda are promoted appropriately. 

The incumbent will build and maintain relations with donor representatives in Turkey, principally through frequent and extensive formal and informal contacts. The incumbent will advocate for support to UNHCR Turkey and negotiate contribution agreements.

S/he is expected to keep abreast of UNHCR operational and institutional developments, both at field and corporate levels as well as of donors' policies and funding priorities. 

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Government donors are regularly lobbied and kept well informed of UNHCR's operation, priorities and funding needs, and engaged in a regular and strategic dialogue with UNHCR to maintain/increase contributions.
- Quality proposals for funding, coordinated with relevant country and headquarters units, are submitted to government donors.
- Narrative and financial reports are submitted in a timely fashion so that donors are fully informed of the use of their contributions and in a position to make qualified decisions about further contributions.
- Donor fundraising strategies are developed and implemented, including for accessing new funds.
- UNHCR Turkey, Bureaux and Divisions receive timely information on actual and projected income in order to take appropriate decisions on resource allocation and management.
- Donors' queries are responded to swiftly.
- Common messaging on the operation and the protection environment drafted in a coordinated manner with relevant country and headquarters units.

Responsibility
- Maintain close dialogue with donor governments on UNHCR operation and financial requirements, and that of the overall response embodied in the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP).  
- Respond to donor governments' requests for information on ad hoc basis.
- Organize regular exchanges with donors.
- Keep abreast of UNHCR's operation to be able to serve donors¿ information needs on all aspects of UNHCR¿s work.
- Negotiate contributions, striving for timeliness, predictability and maximum flexibility.
- Negotiate, draft and follow up on bilateral agreements with donors.
- Identify and access new donors and funding sources.
- Serve as liaison between UNHCR and donors, arrange meetings as appropriate and follow-up as required.
- Draft internal and external correspondence, including briefing notes and talking points for UNHCR staff to assist them in their dealings with donors. 
- In collaboration with respective Bureaux, Divisions, prepare submissions for specific funding from donors or provide other information donors may require in determining their financial/political support to UNHCR.
- Draft narrative and financial reports on contributions, in compliance with specific donor requirements.
- Monitor the recording, tracking and use of contributions and take necessary action to satisfy donor requirements.
- Through a consultative process with headquarters, disseminate information on UNHCR¿s global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement special projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for persons of concern in the country operation.
- Participate in the development of inter-agency and communication strategies, initiatives and tools.

Authority
- Manage the Donor Relations and Resource Mobilization Unit.
- Act as UNHCR Turkey focal point for donors.
- Initiate contacts with donors, and mission trips to the field when appropriate. 
- Negotiate, draft and clear Funding Agreements with government donors.
- Advise UNHCR Turkey on fundraising messages for specific donors or relating to specific operational aspects.
- Draft and clear funding submissions, reports and information papers for donors.
- Represent UNHCR in meetings with government donors.
- Approve fund-raising messages.
- Approve any relevant expenditure for the implementation of fund-raising activities.
- Decide which donors to approach and which operations or activities to prioritize for special fundraising appeals.
- Approve budgets and expenditures for donor visibility and communications activities.
- Represent UNHCR fund-raising and communication priorities in inter-agency initiatives and fora.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) in Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Social Sciences or similar relevant field plus 8 years of previous work experience in fundraising or programme with UNHCR or other organizations that work in humanitarian relief, development assistance or protection, with at least two postings in the field. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Excellent communication skills (both oral and written).
- Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Good knowledge of the European Union (including its decision making mechanisms, its funding instruments, its rules and regulations).
- Strong management skills.
- Thorough knowledge of UNHCR operational arrangements, its relief and protection programmes.
- Understanding of challenges faced by field operations, problems of implementing programmes and constraints of negotiating with local authorities and donors.
- Excellent command of English (written, oral, comprehension).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Knowledge and understanding of the Syria situation.
- Familiarity with funding mechanisms of relevant donor¿s governments.
- UNHCR relevant learning/training activities.
- Excellent computer skills.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X004L3 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3 <p>The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

 

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

 

In light of the context outlined below, it will be of crucial importance that the incumbent of the post brings the following skills and expertise:

Proven ability to engage in external relations and donor relations.
Knowledge and understanding of the European Union.
Knowledge and understanding of UNHCR¿s fundraising and programme work.
Familiarity and experience with UNHCR's operations globally.
Ability to establish and nurture relationships with donors, and other relevant stakeholders. 
Excellent presentation and drafting skills in English.
Strong management, coordination, negotiation skills. Since 2014, Turkey has hosted the largest refugee population in the world. As of 31 May 2018, the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) announced that 3.6 million Syrians were registered in Turkey, out of whom over 200,000 (6%) are hosted in temporary accommodation centres, and some 3.4 million (94%) are residing in urban and rural areas throughout Turkey. In addition, Turkey also hosts over 360,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from other countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Government of Turkey takes the lead in the refugee response, based on a solid asylum legal framework and policies to include people of concern in national services.  UNHCR is coordinating the refugee response by supporting national and local counterparts, co-leading the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP), maintaining an operational footprint in order to better support the authorities in areas where it has a specific expertise and playing a catalytic role to ensure synergies among all actors engaged in the refugee response.
Over the last few years, with the number of Syrian refugees continuing to rise, donors have substantially increased their support to Turkey. This has led to high levels of funding to and engagement with donors by UNHCR Turkey. Since 2015, donors, including but not limited to the European Union, the United States of America, Germany, Japan, Norway and Canada, have substantially increased their funding allocations to Turkey and paid closer attention to the refugee response. The EU became the largest donor in Turkey following the establishment, late 2015, of the Facility for Refugees, which aims at addressing the needs of refugees and host communities in Turkey. Through the Facility, the EU has allocated a first tranche of EUR 3 billion to the response, and is about to allocate a second one of EUR 3 billion. The EU is thus a key actor in Turkey, involved in a broad range of discussions pertaining to the refugee response.

UNHCR Turkey has benefitted from and responded to this increased engagement of donors in Turkey. This is reflected in the important income the agency received as well as the strong dialogue established with donors over the years. In 2017, UNHCR received USD 131 million. This represented a 13 per cent increase in funding compared to 2016, when UNHCR received USD 114 million, which was already a 58 per cent increase compared to 2015. Funding has been received from a number of donors, the largest being the EU (which, in 2018, accounts for 76 per cent of the income UNHCR has so far received), the United States of America, Germany, Japan, Canada, and France. To cater for and sustain the interest in the response, and advocate for refugees, UNHCR has established a strong dialogue with donors. Regular meetings and briefings are held to discuss the response, and the operational and protection environment. UNHCR, however, does not expect funding trends to remain as positive in the years to come. In order to maintain satisfactory levels of funding, UNHCR will have to enhance its engagement with donors (including non-traditional ones), continue to prepare high level quality fundraising products and strengthen donor visibility. The Donor Relations and Resource Mobilization unit will coordinate the resource mobilization efforts of the operation. The unit will work in close coordination with a number of key internal stakeholders to develop a common understanding of donors¿ priorities and strategies, to promote UNHCR¿s work and that of its partners, and to ensure common messaging. The latter should help sustain or increase the funding levels of the Turkey operation.
The Senior External Relations Officer (DRRM) heads the Donor Relations and Resource Mobilization unit and supervises a team of five. He/she reports to the Assistant Representative (Operations). The incumbent works closely with programme, protection, inter-agency, education and livelihoods units, and closely liaises with DRRM Brussels and Geneva, as well as with the Europe and Middle East and North Africa Bureaux. Ankara is an A duty station. The access to accommodation, supply and transport facilities is at high level. The incumbent is expected to find an accommodation independently or as in most cases assisted by real estate agents.
Current operational circumstances may require long working hours. Ankara enjoys a relatively clam context underscored by a low crime rate. The Turkish Security Apparatus is experienced, well-resourced and effective. Burglary, petty theft are the most common crimes in the city. However, compared with recent years, there has been a relative decrease in street crimes. There is no direct crime threat against the UN in the Region. The current security levels in all of Turkey were raised in early 2016, however, Ankara duty station is Level 2 (low). There are no known direct threats towards the United Nations and its staff in the area but it is a rapidly changing security environment There has been a significant increase in the number of Civil Unrest-related incidents in country du wide owed to socio-political issues and it is assessed to likely due to the recent developments that sees Turkey increased involvement in the Syrian crisis. UN staff in Ankara are advised to take the necessary precaution in line with established security measures in general.  Area Security plans and Security levels are being updated.  As a result good security awareness is needed by individual staff members. A good understanding and knowledge of the Syria situation would be desirable.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2018 Compendium is Thursday 18 October  2018 (midnight Geneva time).

This vacancy is now closed.
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