Private Sector Communications Officer

General Background

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect and assist refugees and other persons of concern. The Private Sector Partnerships Service (PSP), within UNHCR's Division of External Relations (DER), mobilizes resources and builds strategic engagement with individuals, companies, foundations and philanthropists in support of UNHCR’s protection assistance and solutions priorities. PSP works across Individual Giving (IG) and Private Partnerships and Philanthropy (PPH), combining fundraising, donor engagement, communications and partnership development to secure sustainable support and maximize impact for people forced to flee.

Individual Giving (IG) is targeted at the general public to secure the support of individuals through regular, unrestricted donations, cash appeals and legacies. The aim is to generate both monthly and one-time donations from individuals using various channels and methods including direct mail, face-to-face fundraising, telemarketing, digital fundraising, DRTV and emergency fundraising, with focus on strong donor loyalty and lifetime value.

Private Partnership and Philanthropy (PPH) develops and strengthens strategic, long-term partnerships with companies, foundations, and high-net worth individuals. These partnerships may include funding as well as expertise, innovation, advocacy, communications, employment and market-based opportunities, with the aim of creating meaningful and sustainable outcomes for forcibly displaced and stateless people and the communities that host them.

In an increasingly complex humanitarian and fundraising environment, PSP roles require close collaboration across headquarters, regional bureaux, country operations and external partners. They combine communications and marketing expertise with fundraising, donor engagement and external-relations capabilities to translate operational and protection priorities into compelling engagement products, strengthen donor stewardship, support senior management engagement and advance coherent, results-oriented partnerships.

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, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duty station of the position: Office-based in Bangkok, Thailand, or home-based

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Private Sector Communications Officer is the lead focal point at PSP Asia for marketing and fundraising communications related to Individual Giving and Private Partnerships and Philanthropy. The postholder will contribute to the strategic goals of PSP in the region through the strategic planning, development and delivery of communications and marketing strategies, assets, tools, resources, and guidance for Individual Giving and partnerships with companies, foundations and high-net worth individuals - to increase brand awareness, trust, engagement, and ultimately accelerate income for UNHCR. This marketing, fundraising communications and external engagement support will enable private sector fundraisers in Asian markets to strengthen IG programs, as well as the cultivation and retention of the donor base; reach out to new potential private sector prospects; engage new partners; cultivate, grow and strengthen existing partnerships; and develop high-quality donor-facing engagement products, including proposals, concept notes, investment cases, pitch decks and donor reports.

The postholder will contribute to the development and implementation of a content strategy for PSP in Asia & Pacific, with an eye to strengthening online communications, brand awareness, public and supporter engagement. This entails identifying appropriate stories, messages, formats, platforms, and partners in line with the key priorities and audiences for the Division of External Relations (DER). The postholder will also lead the preparation, editing and quality assurance of briefing notes, talking points and background materials for senior management engagements with private-sector partners, ensuring clear, consistent and strategically aligned messaging.

The incumbent reports to the Chief of PSP Asia and will work in close collaboration with income streams within the IG section and PPH section, also liaising frequently with internal and external stakeholders, including PPH donors, IG contractors and teams, and communication agencies. S/he will coordinate closely with colleagues in Global Communications and other key stakeholders across DER such as Goodwill Ambassadors, Crisis Communications, Emergencies and External Engagement Section, Brand units and the Partnership Support Unit (PSU). The incumbent will also work closely with the Asia Regional Bureau, country operations, External Engagement, and Public Information colleagues to obtain timely inputs and ensure the accuracy, completeness, clearance and strategic alignment of donor-facing and senior management materials with UNHCR standards, donor expectations, protection principles and overall communication objectives in Asia & Pacific.

Occasional international travel (up to 10%) is required for this position.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Priority markets in the region are supported in the developmen