Submit Application Today! Career Opportunity: Donor Communications Specialist (P-3) at UNFPA Headquarters, New York (2025)
Submit Application Today! Career Opportunity: Donor Communications Specialist (P-3) at UNFPA Headquarters, New York (2025)
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is inviting applications for the position of Donor Communications Specialist, Public Funding and Financing Branch (PFFB), Division for External Relations (DER), based at its headquarters in New York. This is a Fixed-Term Appointment (P-3 level), with an application deadline of 03 October 2025.
For talented professionals with expertise in communications, donor relations, public affairs, marketing, and international development, this role represents a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of UNFPA’s mission while engaging with governments, donors, and global partners.
About UNFPA: Delivering a World Where Every Pregnancy is Wanted
UNFPA is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Its work is anchored in the belief that every pregnancy should be wanted, every childbirth safe, and every young person’s potential fulfilled. Guided by the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNFPA’s current Strategic Plan (2022–2025) emphasizes three transformative results:
- Ending preventable maternal deaths
- Ending the unmet need for family planning
- Ending gender-based violence and harmful practices
The plan reaffirms UNFPA’s mandate to accelerate progress for women, girls, and communities worldwide, ensuring that human rights, dignity, and equality remain at the core of development efforts.
Position Overview: Donor Communications Specialist
The Donor Communications Specialist plays a pivotal role in engaging public sector donors, strengthening partnerships, and showcasing UNFPA’s impact through innovative communication strategies. The position is situated within the Public Funding and Financing Branch (PFFB), working closely with the Media and Communications Branch (MCB) and Representation Offices under the Division for External Relations (DER).
By leveraging communications, storytelling, and donor engagement tools, the specialist ensures that UNFPA’s achievements and priorities are effectively communicated to bilateral and multilateral donors, national representations to the UN, foreign ministries, international financial institutions, and development partners.
This role is both strategic and operational, requiring a mix of technical communication expertise, donor relations experience, and creativity in content production.
Key Responsibilities
As a Donor Communications Specialist (P-3), you will be responsible for the following:
1. Donor Engagement and Visibility
- Lead the creation of donor-focused visibility content (print, audiovisual, digital, and social media) to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders.
- Develop strategic communication plans tailored to specific donor audiences, highlighting the impact of their contributions.
- Collaborate with country offices, regional offices, and headquarters divisions to ensure donor visibility requirements are met in line with UNFPA’s brand guidelines.
2. Strategic Communication and Storytelling
- Produce high-quality materials that demonstrate UNFPA’s results and effectiveness across thematic areas.
- Create compelling narratives and success stories that showcase UNFPA’s impact in saving lives and empowering communities.
- Ensure alignment with corporate messaging and global campaigns coordinated by the Media and Communications Branch.
3. Advocacy for Humanitarian and Development Funding
- Support resource mobilization efforts by developing communication strategies for humanitarian funding appeals.
- Highlight the importance of flexible core resources in enabling rapid and effective crisis response.
- Advocate for continued and increased donor investments in UNFPA’s global mandate.
4. Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
- Develop guidance tools, templates, and toolkits (e.g., donor visibility guidelines, storytelling manuals).
- Build organizational capacity by supporting regional and country teams in donor communications.
- Maintain regular communication with donor focal points in capitals, agencies, and missions to strengthen ongoing relationships.
5. Coordination and Collaboration
- Work closely with the Resource Mobilization Adviser to strengthen public sector partnerships.
- Coordinate efforts with internal teams including PFFB, MCB, and Representation Offices, ensuring cohesion across donor communications.
- Collaborate with external stakeholders such as development partners, UN agencies, and donor governments.
Qualifications and Experience
To be considered for this position, applicants should meet the following criteria:
Education
- A Master’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, international relations, development studies, or a related field is required.
- A Bachelor’s degree with additional qualifying experience may be considered in lieu of a Master’s.
Professional Experience
- At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in communications, journalism, donor relations, or public affairs.
- Demonstrated experience in international organizations, the UN system, or donor-focused environments is highly desirable.
- Proven track record of producing compelling, donor-centered communication content.
- Experience in resource mobilization, donor engagement, or partnership building is an asset.
- Familiarity with humanitarian and development contexts will be advantageous.
Skills and Competencies
- Strong storytelling, writing, and editing skills, with the ability to tailor messages for diverse audiences.
- Knowledge of digital communications, multimedia production, and social media engagement.
- Ability to strategically manage donor relationships and ensure effective visibility.
- High level of creativity and innovation in designing communication strategies.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work across cultures and organizational boundaries.
Language Requirements
- Excellent knowledge of English (oral and written) is required.
- Working knowledge of other UN languages (especially French or Spanish) is an advantage.
Competencies
UNFPA seeks candidates who embody its core values and demonstrate the following competencies:
- Integrity and accountability in managing resources and partnerships
- Innovation and creativity in communications and donor engagement
- Results orientation and quality focus
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion
- Strong communication and advocacy skills
- Collaboration and teamwork across branches and offices
Why Join UNFPA?
Working as a Donor Communications Specialist at UNFPA offers more than just a professional opportunity – it provides a chance to make a global impact. Here are key reasons why this role is unique:
- Mission-driven work: Directly contribute to saving lives, promoting gender equality, and advancing human rights.
- Global visibility: Collaborate with governments, UN agencies, and international financial institutions.
- Creative engagement: Lead communication strategies that bring donor partnerships to life.
- Career development: Work within a dynamic UN system with professional growth opportunities.
- Diversity and inclusion: Join an organization committed to building a balanced and equitable workforce.
Contract and Benefits
- Position Title: Donor Communications Specialist
- Grade Level: P-3 (Fixed-Term Appointment)
- Duty Station: UNFPA Headquarters, New York
- Contract Duration: Fixed-term (renewable, subject to performance and funding)
- Salary and Benefits: Competitive UN remuneration package, including tax-free salary, post adjustment (cost-of-living allowance), health insurance, pension, and other entitlements.
Application Process
Interested candidates should apply online via the UNFPA e-recruitment system by 03 October 2025.
How to Apply:
- Create or log in to your applicant profile.
- Complete the online application form and attach your CV and cover letter.
- APPLY HERE.
- Submit your application before the closing date.
YOU CAN SEE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES HERE.
Important:
- Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps (written test and/or interview).
Final Thoughts
The Donor Communications Specialist (P-3) position at UNFPA represents a significant opportunity for communications professionals passionate about donor engagement, international development, and advocacy. Situated at the heart of the UN’s global headquarters in New York, the role provides an unparalleled platform to shape narratives, strengthen partnerships, and amplify UNFPA’s impact worldwide.
If you have the skills, vision, and passion to transform communication strategies into global partnerships, this position is your chance to make a lasting difference.
Apply by 03 October 2025 and become part of the team that is advancing UNFPA’s mission: delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
