Associate Head of Private Sector Partnership Service

March 9 2026

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

PR5

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Associate Head of Private Sector Partnership Service

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Private Sector Partnerships Service (PSP) sits within UNHCRs Division of External Relations (DER) and is responsible for mobilizing resources and services globally.

As a senior member of the PSP Service as well as a permanent member of the Global Leadership Team of PSP the Associate Head of Service reports directly to the Head of Service (D1). The incumbent holds the principal responsibility for the strategic direction operational oversight and sustainable growth of the National Partner (NA) network and supporting market operations.

The Associate Head of Service will directly manage and provide functional supervision over several key Units including PSP Campaigns Internal Communications Private Sector Partnership Support Unit (PSU) Strategic Planning and Coordination as well as the National Partner Development Unit.

The role requires strategic representation cross-divisional coordination and a proven ability to manage complex partnership networks and high-performing teams across different functional areas.

Additionally s/he will support activities and planning to support UNHCR Strategic Directions goals to streamline communications increase brand awareness of UNHCR and public support for the refugee cause. Further s/he will work closely alongside the relevant PSP Regional Manager and PSP office or national partner to jointly identify with Regional Bureaux and Field Operations potential regional fundraising communications and engagement initiatives; this engagement will support fundraising campaigns to respond to and engage with local audiences and circumstances to grow support and build awareness for refugees and UNHCR

As part of key custodian of the organizations standards of conduct the incumbent will proactively establish a working environment where all personnel feel safe heard equipped and empowered to speak up; demonstrate no tolerance for sexism gender inequality discrimination of any kind abuse of power harassment or sexual harassment; foster ongoing dialogue on those matters; take seriously all issues of inappropriate behaviour and actions reported whether formally or informally; and seek guidance and support as necessary to ensure that appropriate follow-up is taken working on the basis of zero tolerance for any form of misconduct.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter UNStaff Regulations and Rules UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability addition staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core functional cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRs core values of professionalism integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

National Partner Network Strategy and Growth

• Lead the formulation and drive the effective implementation of the global strategy for the growth financial health and capacity of the PSP National Partner (NAP) network.

• Serve as the senior management focal point for engagement with National Partner leadership and the National Partner Council ensuring strong collaboration alignment and information exchange.

• Oversee the work of establishing capacity-building frameworks technical support and robust systems to ensure National Partners are equipped to deliver increased funding and engagement for UNHCR.

• Monitor analyze and report on the overall financial and operational performance of the NAP network identifying risks opportunities and areas for strategic investment and optimization.

• Ensure that National Partner operations adhere to UNHCRs regulatory framework ethical fundraising standards and operational efficiency principles.

Strategic Planning Coordination and Campaigns

• Oversee the annual and multi-year planning process budgeting and expenditure monitoring for the supervised units and the NA network.

• Support in the proactive and strategic dispersal of the National Growth Funds and other budgets so that they effectively contribute to the achievement of agreed fundraising targets

• Provide strategic oversight to the Partnerships Support Unit to strengthen the cooperation and liaison between PSP fundraisers/partners and UNHCR Field Operations and Regional Bureaux ensuring program needs are matched with private sector resources.

• Drive internal operational excellence by ensuring coherence and collaboration between Campaigns Communications and Planning functions to maximize impact.

• Oversee the effective use of PSP funds including Investment Fund management ensuring compliance and high return on investment (ROI) across the NAP network.

• Provide strategic guidance on multi-disciplinary fundraising campaigns team focussed on developing innovative and creative (multi-country) or other campaigns/appeals to accelerate income fundraising from individual corporate and foundation donors and increase trust engagement and brand awareness.

• Provide strategic guidance on campaign design development planning budgeting resourcing and management of campaigns appeals and other strategic approaches.

• Work closely with the PPH Team to jointly develop fundraising campaigns across a range of thematic topics identified with key stakeholders.

• Work collaboratively with UNHCR media colleagues globally to co-create communications moments; to amplify media outreach engagement and resource mobilization; and to leverage media partnerships to increase and deepen private sector empathy and engagement.

Representation Policy and Leadership

• Act as a deputy for the Head of PSP Service (D1) in internal and external high-level meetings forums and inter-agency discussions including with the Director of DER and other senior stakeholders.

• Provide high-level policy advice and guidance on complex issues related to private sector ethics fundraising compliance and the legal framework governing National Partner agreements.

• Represent the PSP Service within the UNHCR wider community and the UN system on issues relating to National Association management and private sector resource mobilization.

• Exercise effective managerial oversight direction guidance and support and conduct regular performance appraisals and coaching.

• Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptablelevels and escalate as needed. If a Risk Owner designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review iscompleted and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year as needed.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Business Administration Marketing International Relations

Organizational Development Law or another relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified.

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Progressively responsible experience in private sector fundraising partnership management or resource. Extensive experience and proven track record in private sector fundraising with a comprehensive understanding of all main private sector partnerships techniques (digital direct mail legacies advertising major donors private philanthropies corporate and foundations fundraising in-kind donations innovative financing). Extensive and proven experience of working in an international context delivering fundraising programmes and/or campaigns across multiple countries - with demonstrable insights into regional and market opportunities and challenges - management of high-value multi-stakeholder complex partnerships. Proven managerial experience in leading large global teams. Financial budgeting and reporting skills and experience overseeing budgets of this size are essential. Proven experience giving presentations to high-level audiences is crucial. English is essential and other relevant UN languages are desirable

Desirable

This job requires an extensive degree of work with high-level partners in the private sector and the specialized private sector fundraising industry. Specific knowledge of fundraising networks such as the Resource Alliance or similar industry circles is an asset. Political sensitivity will be a plus as will negotiation skills. Experience with branding and market research would be an asset.

Functional Skills

CO-Strategic Communication

MG-Resource Management

PS-Private sector partnerships and fundraising techniques

PS-Leadership of fundraising teams

PG-Business Process Management

PS-Navigating the regional/local fundraising landscape

PG-Results-Based Management

CO-Brand Management

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require 6 core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The 6 core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering & Building Trust

Judgement & Decision Making

Leadership

Managing Resource

Managing Performance

Strategic Planning & Vision

Cross-Functional Competencies

Political Awareness

Stakeholder Management

Innovation & Creativity

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse harassment including sexual harassment sexism gender inequality discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Essential Attributes:
Extensive experience and proven track record in private sector fundraising with an understanding of all main private sector resource mobilization and partnerships techniques (digital direct mail legacies advertising major donors private philanthropies corporate and foundations fundraising in-kind donations)
Extensive experience in managing relationships with external stakeholders and partners such as National Association Partners.
A strategic mindset to develop national plans and global strategies and the linkages between both.
A deep understanding of the interrelations between resource mobilization and communications strategies.
Extensive and proven experience of working in an international context delivering fundraising programmes and campaigns across multiple countries - with demonstrable insights into regional and market opportunities and challenges.
Proven managerial experience in leading large global teams. Financial budgeting and reporting skills including experience overseeing budgets. Proven experience giving presentations to high level audiences crucial.
Ability to work across different teams and across global functions.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station please visit this link:

of Position:

The Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) Service is a vital component of UNHCRs global resource mobilisation strategy engaging private individuals corporations and foundations to generate sustainable income and advocacy for people forced to flee. UNHCRs Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Strategic Framework calls for a bold expansion of PSP programs that deliver solutions income and influence.

The Associate Head of Service reports to the PSP Head of Service and provides oversight and guidance to varies teams across PSP including Fundraising Campaigns Capacity Building PSP Engagement & Communication and Partnership Support; the Associate Head of Service plays a key support role to the PSP network offices (PSP markets HQ and National Partners) in their strategic engagement with donors internal stakeholders to ensure PSP achieves financial targets while upholding the organizations values mission and priorities. As a senior member in the PSP Global Leadership Team) the incumbent will provide strategic support to the Head of Service in designing development and implementation of the global Private Sector Partnerships programmes and strategy worldwide. S/he will be core contributor to global PSP strategy ensuring National Partners needs and market insights are integrated.

Beyond managing all operational areas which are common to the different workstreams as above s/he will be the main strategic counterpart to the National Partners CEOs leading on market development strategies that strengthen National Partners fundraising performance and long-term revenue growth. S/he will lead in guiding the NAPs in analysing market opportunities identifying appropriate targets planning investments and determining how their strategies relate to global priorities. It involves reviewing strategic plans financial plans and forecasts; supporting the allocation of investment funds; and helping partners determine where to allocate resources to achieve both gross and net revenue growth while maintaining quality of income. Within this framework s/he will support NAP develop their strategies while ensuring they also contribute to the global private sector strategy ensuring closer alignment with NAPs which is a pre-requisite for success for UNHCRs work with the private sector.

In support of UNHCRs Private Sector Strategy the incumbent is responsible for building effective partnerships with a global network of relevant stakeholders including divisions regional bureaux and country offices raising financial and non-financial support for initiatives that will protect and assist refugees and allow UNHCR to implement multi-year strategies to provide solutions to problems faced by refugees and people of concern.

The incumbent will contribute to the development and implementation of content strategy with an eye to strengthening online communications brand awareness and public engagement for UNHCRs. This goes beyond resources mobilisation but expands to advocacy communications marketing and public engagement. S/he will lead on strategic planning development and delivery of (multi-country) fundraising and engagement campaigns appeals assets tools resources best practice communication and guidance that will increase brand awareness trust engagement and ultimately accelerate income for UNHCR.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Brand Management CO-Strategic Communication MG-Resource Management PG-Business process management PG-Results-Based Management PS-Leadership of fundraising teams PS-Navigating the regional/local fundraising landscape PS-Private sector partnerships and fundraising techniques

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration Bachelor of Arts: International Relations Bachelor of Arts: Law Bachelor of Arts: Marketing Bachelor of Arts: Organizational Development

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Empowering & building trust Innovation & creativity Judgement & decision making Leadership Managing performance Managing resource Organizational awareness Political awareness Stakeholder management Strategic planning & visions Teamwork & collaboration

Bi-Annual 2026 Compendium - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance