JOB DESCRIPTION

E (most hardship)

Non Family

Non FamilyDanger Pay

PR5

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-12-01

August 8, 2025

Strategic Partnership Adviser

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Strategic Partnership Advisor is usually located in a regional office, a, multi-country offices, regional bureaux, regional refugee coordinator’s office. The incumbent plays a crucial role in ensuring UNHCR’s approach to partnership and inter-agency processes is consistent, strategic and coherent. The main aim is to ensure that UNHCR fulfils its role to support the Government to lead the refugee response, coordinate other actors in the initial stages of a refugee emergency and adhere to UNHCR inter agency commitments (including through providing guidance to country level cluster coordinators) in IDP situations. This should be done in line with UNHCRs Mandate, the Global Compact for Refugees, the IDP policy, and agreed inter agency commitments. More specifically, s/he is responsible for developing inter-agency engagement strategies and providing authoritative advice on coordination matters. S/he is the main interlocutor with UN agencies, NGO partners and donors and advises the senior management on inter-agency processes and related positioning, coordination, advocacy, information, resource allocation, fundraising, reporting, and communication. Depending on the division of labour within the office, s/he will also liaise with government entities, the private sector, media, and other relevant actors. This is ideally done both bilaterally and through strong engagement in inter agency processes. The overall goal of the position is to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of UNHCR’s leadership roles and responses to situations affecting forcibly displaced and stateless persons (refugees, IDPs, stateless persons, returnees, host communities) through an open and transparent partnership approach.

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, 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.

Duties
– Ensure proactive lead and/or participation in inter-agency fora to ensure that UNHCR, its Mandate and programmes are given due attention and reflected in linkage at the country level, bureaux and at the policy levels of humanitarian and development coordination systems.
– Promote UNHCR’s policies and linkages within multilateral processes, including humanitarian and development processes as elaborated by the humanitarian working groups, the Inter Agency Standing Committee, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), as well as in regional and country levels.
– Ensure effective and inclusive coordination mechanisms and tools are in place and provide authoritative advice to the senior managers on coordination matters, in line with the GRF, the refugee coordination model and globally-agreed arrangements applicable in various situations (refugee-only; mixed refugee-IDPs; refugee and migrant movements).
– Ensure a cohesive and regional UNHCR response, including in cluster contexts, where UNHCR leads one or more clusters at the country level;
– Promote preparedness, contingency planning and prevention, and facilitate sustainable solutions within inter agency fora;
– Maintain frequent formal and informal contacts with counterparts in other organisations, donor entities and ensure UNHCR engagement with host governments is coherent and consistent.
– Maintain an open dialogue and information sharing with NGOs and civil society partners to enlarge UNHCR’s support and tap into complementary resources/ support to refugees.
– Ensure internal institutional coherence and coordination of actions pursued for a strong refugee coordination system under government leadership where possible, with accompanying planning instruments in the delivery of refugee responses and within the clusters in regards to the clusters that UNHCR leads and/or participates in.
– Where there is lack of clarity as to UNHCR’s positions and priorities, identify where there are gaps or a lack of clarity and raise this to the attention of senior management and HQ functional entities to stimulate a process whereby policy will be clearly mapped out and agreed at the highest levels in the organisation.
– Maintain close contact with DER-Inter-agency and Coordination Section-Sustainable Responses Service-NYO on emerging issues.
For positions in the Regional Bureaux, multi-country offices or RRC offices only:
– Ensure UNHCR is engaged in regional inter-agency processes, including regional Economic Commissions and regional UNSDG;
– Establish regional coordination mechanisms and/or consultation fora for situations led by UNHCR.
– Where applicable, coordinate the compilation of a regional refugee response plan (in some situations, this could be a regional refugee and migrant response plan or a refugee and resilience plan), as well as its monitoring and the tracking of financial contributions;
– Support and manage the staff appointed in support of an RRC (if appointed);
– Ensure UNHCR lead in RRP processes and other inter agency response plans related to refugees while ensuring coherence and relevant highlight of the displacement issues with the HRP as well as the UNSDCF, including through supporting inter-agency information-management; analysis and reporting where necessary.
– Ensure, in close liaise with other inter agency staff, that regional NGO consultations are held in order to reach out to regional and national NGOs and civil society groups and build consensus
– Promote with relevant country operations coordinated approaches to humanitarian inter agency processes, including development processes as they impact on UNHCR in the field;
– Liaise with other UN agencies and other inter government agencies and fora at the regional level to find areas of cooperation, joint initiatives and where applicable negotiate joint agreements or work programmes to further protection and assistance for forcibly displaced and stateless persons;
– Ensure efficient and timely circulation of information to stakeholders, including through the production of regular and up-to-date information, key messages and regional situational analysis.
– Ensure effective coordination mechanisms are in place in country operations in line with globally-agreed arrangements and the refugee coordination model) and ensure support is provided in a timely manner.
– Advise field operations on how to facilitate UNHCR’s catalytic and convener’s role in the context of the Global Compact on Refugees
– Advise field operations on how to engage in UN development processes
– Organize regional-level capacity building, as required.
– Alert the HQ (DER and DEPS) on issues related to coordination arrangements interface with development and humanitarian systems.

– 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 acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed 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
Law;
Political Science;
Economics;
International Relations;
Business Administration;
Social Science
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Inter-Agency Certification Learning Program (IACLP);
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience of working in an inter-agency environment at field or Headquarters level. Experience of liaising with governments and/or the donor community. Thorough understanding of UNHCR’s protection mandate and core mission. Thorough understanding of humanitarian coordination processes and recent inter-agency developments related to the IASC and the broader UN.
Desirable
Inter-agency coordination role. Drafting joint appeal/ refugee response plan/HRP. Experience with another UN agency or partner.

Functional Skills
*SK000187 UN-UN/UNHCR Interagency Policies, Standards, Programmes, Partnerships, Humanitarian Ops
*SK000205 ER-Inter-Agency External Relations
*SK000363 EX-Field experience in emergency and/or large-scale settings
*SK000716 MG-Partnership Development
SK000356 EX-Experience with Inter/Non-Governmental Organization (INGO/NGO)
SK000383 ER-Donor Relations – Humanitarian Financing

(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.

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.

– Seasoned professional in external relations, donor engagement, and advocacy within complex humanitarian settings.
– Proven leadership experience in large-scale, high-profile operations, ideally in conflict or post-conflict environments.
– Extensive knowledge and understanding of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus and UNHCR’s protection and solutions mandate.
– Strong political awareness and diplomatic skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders, including donors, UN agencies, NGOs, and governments.
– Demonstrated success in strategic fundraising, donor stewardship, and reporting.
– Effective at managing cross-functional collaboration across protection, programme, and field operations.
– Outstanding analytical, communication, and representational skills.
– Skilled in crafting compelling narratives, donor products, and strategic messaging.
– Proven to operate effectively under pressure, with sound judgment in sensitive contexts.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Following the change in the political landscape in Syria in early December 2024, the focus of the Syria operation shifted towards return and reintegration-centered priorities rather than regular refugee and displaced protection activities, due to the significant return of Syrians from neighboring countries.

The strategy adopted by the operation includes repositioning around return and reintegration by shifting from displacement management to enabling sustainable returns through investment in area-based solutions integrating protection, shelter, livelihoods, and local governance. The Strategic partnership adviser will play a key role in bringing the eyes of the donors, to these activities, despite that donors and diplomatic community are currently establishing their footprint in Syria.

While greater stability is present in many parts of the country and humanitarian access is expanding from within, it is important for the incumbent to be prepared for an unpredictable security context and to manage stressful situations effectively. Damascus is classified as a non-family duty station with a six-week rest and recuperation (R&R) cycle. Staff members in Damascus are currently required to reside in designated hotel accommodations, but they can move freely within the city with few restrictions. Travel to field locations requires advance clearance from the government and is subject to prevailing security conditions. The UNHCR Country Office is easily accessible by car or via a shuttle service provided by the office. Staff with dietary restrictions or preferences are encouraged to familiarize themselves with available options prior to arriving in the country. For more information, please visit: https://wellbeing.unhcr.org/syria/local-knowledge

Additional Qualifications

Skills

ER-Donor Relations – Humanitarian Financing, ER-Inter-Agency External Relations, MG-Partnership Development, UN-UN/UNHCR Inter-agency Policies, Standards, Programmes, and Partnerships

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Interagency Coord Learning Program – Other

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 2 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance