Job Description

Deadline for Applications

March 4, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

H (no hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA10

Target Start Date

2026-04-01

Terms of Reference

1. 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) sits within UNHCR's Division of External Relations (DER) and is responsible for mobilizing resources for refugees from the private sector. To achieve the ambitious objective of bringing new resources to the organization, the Deputy Head of Service section of PSP develops and strengthens long-term partnerships with companies, foundations, and high-net worth individuals. This includes leveraging the capacities of this segment to build long lasting partnerships that go beyond resources but expands to advocacy, communications, marketing, and public engagement. The private sector is one of UNHCR’s key partners to support in finding and delivering durable solutions, refugee inclusion, changing the narrative/generating empathy and mobilizing action.

The Private Sector Engagement team (PPH Comms) supports the acquisition, retention, and growth of private sector donors through targeted, high-quality marketing and communications that are donor-specific, income-focused and designed to meet contractual and relationship expectations. The team supports private sector fundraising through design and implementation of joint communication partnership plans from initial engagement/prospecting stage through the life of the partnership for global and high-value partnerships. PPH Comms also provides private sector marketing and comms support to PSP markets, regions and National Partners (NAPs). PPH Comms works to mitigate risks and manage communication response linked to reputational issues for private sector partnerships.

This role reports to the Senior Private Sector Engagement Officer in the Deputy Head of Service section. S/he will provide communication support for global and selected multi-country partnerships. These responsibilities include: developing marketing strategies plans and packages (e.g. press releases, social assets, toolkits, key messages, QA/if-asked lines, cause-related marketing products, presentation materials and stewardship products) for high-value, high risk, multi-country private sector partnerships, multi-country coordination for visibility/comms planning, support to fundraising proposals and impact reporting.

The selected candidate will work closely with colleagues in the Global Communications Service (GCS) and other key stakeholders across the organization to ensure close coordination on private sector communications and engagement.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

- Contribute to the development, planning, and management of top-notch marketing and communications that maximizes engagement and visibility for UNHCR’s partnerships with corporates, foundations, and high-net worth individuals, for use on multiple communication channels. This includes press releases, social media assets, key messages, Q&As/if-asked lines, talking points.
- Support PPH account managers, PSP markets and NAPs as required in building solid stewardship plans aimed at increasing engagement of existing donors, stretching contributions to their effective capacity, and ensuring that they will remain loyal to the organisation in the long term.
- Coordinate content development, production, and distribution in close coordination with UNHCR’s communication teams, content teams, and collaboration with PPH account managers – this includes the planning and coordination of content missions for partnerships.
- Manage the re-packaging, writing, editing, and commissioning of content and assets, including those submitted by field communication staff and others, for dissemination via UNHCR and UNHCR’s private partners.
- Maximise visibility opportunities for UNHCR by pursuing opportunities arising from the interaction with influential/affluent donors/prospects.
- Support with the development of content and assets aimed at growing UNHCR’s media presence targeted to the private sector.
- Ensure innovative and creative approaches to ensure UNHCR’s competitive advantage. Assess viability of new ideas and initiatives as they arise.
- Produce talking points, messages, background information and context, for sharing across UNHCR’s global offices, PSP markets, and with the UNHCR regional and field communicator network.
- Manage reputational risks relating to private sector partners including working closely with GCS Crisis Comms colleagues.
- Ensure consistency and alignment with UNHCR’s global advocacy and communication strategies in high-level messaging and communications about UNHCR’s private sector partnerships.
- Ensure highest standards of accuracy and editorial content in all external outputs.
- Build trusted, effective relationships with colleagues in the PSP network, Global Communication Service, regions and operations.
- Provide induction, training, and any other requested assistance to PPH fundraisers in PSP markets.
- Perform other related duties as required.

3. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education

A Bachelor’s degree Marketing, Communications, Public Information, Business or related fields.

b. Work Experience

Essential
• Minimum 6 years of relevant job experience (with a bachelor’s degree) or 5 years (with a master’s degree) in communication, media, journalism, fundraising, external relations, donor relations, advocacy or related fields.
• Experience in writing, re-writing, headline-writing, and editing, including the ability to produce high quality written materials tailored to specific audiences/markets on tight deadlines. Experience in drafting and reviewing Op-eds, messages, talking points.
• Strong understanding of the international global media environment.
High level tactical communications and strategic communications expertise. Grounded knowledge of the UN's refugee and related human rights frameworks, conventions, and treaties.

Desirable
• Thorough knowledge of UNHCR operational arrangements, its relief and protection programmes, the funding needs, and priorities.
• At least two years of experience at international level is desirable. Previous regional or country office experience is an asset.

c. Key Competencies

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to write press releases, develop communication plans and familiarity with social media as a marketing tool are requirements.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Occasional travel may be required.

4. Location and Conditions

This is a remote working position. The successful candidate will be home-based, and work with colleagues globally.

This position is initially up to 31/12/2026 with possibility of extension subject to budget availability and overall performance of the incumbent. It is a full-time role starting from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday (40 hours per week).

The remuneration level and the applicable entitlements and benefits may be different based on the residence of the most suitable selected candidate.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Please also note that the vacancy notice marks Copenhagen as the location as the hiring unit is based in Copenhagen, Denmark.