UNHCR is looking for a Public Health Officer – Private Sector Partnerships (Remote)

Deadline for Applications: March 1, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based): H (no hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based): Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type: UNOPS IICA2

Target Start Date: 2026-04-01

Terms of Reference

Title: Public Health Officer – Private Sector Partnerships

Duty station: Home-based

Section/Unit: UNHCR Public Health Unit, Sustainable Responses Service

ICA Level: IICA 2

Duration: from 01/04/2026 to 31/12/2026

1. General Background

The Public Health Unit (PHU) sits within the Sustainable Responses Service and provides global leadership and oversight for UNHCR's health portfolio, ensuring that refugee health responses are protection-sensitive, evidence-based and aligned with international standards. It sets strategic direction for country operations, supports the transition from parallel humanitarian service delivery toward sustainable inclusion of refugees within national health systems and safeguards the quality of public health programming from emergencies through to long-term solutions.

The Private Sector Partnerships Service (PSP) sits within UNHCR's Division of External Relations (DER) and is responsible for supporting UNHCR's global network of fundraisers to develop partnerships with global private sector companies, foundations and high net worth individuals, and for stewarding strategic global accounts.

Public Health Officer - Private Sector Partnerships will support PHU and the PSP network by providing client-oriented service to raise funds for public health programmes, inclusive of child health, communicable and noncommunicable disease control, sexual and reproductive health, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and nutrition. As part of a wider fundraising team, the primary role of the incumbent is to support efforts to seek various forms of support from foundations, companies, high net worth individuals and other donors. Securing funding for UNHCR programmes and projects will be considered priority, but the work also includes supporting the leveraging of the capacities of these partnerships beyond funding, in order to build long-lasting holistic partnerships bringing various forms of support to UNHCR and the people we serve, such as advocacy, visibility, expertise, innovation and public engagement. S/he will support operations, Regional Bureaus, PHU and PSP in the development of high-quality concept notes and proposals as well as provide technical input and support for quality control for key donor reporting. The incumbent will develop off-the-shelf fundraising packages for different public health related topics and identify new fundraising opportunities through market research. The incumbent reports to the Head of Public Health Unit.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Fund raising, grant development and follow up

• In agreement with and under the guidance of PHU and PSP, support the coordination multi-regional/global funding initiatives (including concept notes, proposals and investment cases), liaising with relevant stakeholders as required, including staff covering assigned regions and fund raisers.
• Liaise with DER/PSU staff in the AoR over activities and draft budgets to be proposed in thematic concept notes, proposals and fundraising packs.
• In close collaboration with country operations, Regional Bureaus, PHU and PSP, support the development of public health-related concept notes and proposals, including narratives, indicators and support the review of draft budgets.
• Support discussions on detailed budgets and activities to be implemented with field colleagues and PHU related to potential contributions.
• Support the negotiation, in close collaboration with relevant units, of specific funding requests to find solutions that both meet donor requirements and organizational priorities.
• Support the review and refinement of public health related reporting to donors for earmarked funding, based on inputs received from country operations and Regional Bureaus.
• Keep track of potential public health-related contributions that are "under discussion" and "projected" and contribute to ensuring that the projections are adequately reflected in the relevant system.
• Support field staff in tracking progress and results from public health related earmarked contributions.
• Regularly to update the mapping of potential private sector donors, financing instruments, and partnership opportunities.

General:

• Keep abreast of UNHCR's public health programmes and priorities that could appeal to Private Partnerships and Philanthropy (PPH) donors in a range of markets and contexts and stay updated on new global public health developments.
• Contribute to the capacity building of field colleagues' understanding of private donor requirements, including for proposals and reporting, and on the new funding model.
• Contribute to the capacity building of fundraisers in the areas of contribution management and programme, including the operations management cycle in line with established UNHCR policies and procedures.
• Undertake research and develop a package of standard thematic content for fundraising materials (including briefing packages, brochures) to support PPH fundraising, including translating technical language into accessible donor facing language.
• Regularly review new public health fundraising opportunities through market research and scoping that is led by PSP teams.
• Respond to thematic requests and queries from fundraisers in the PSP network in a timely manner by closely coordinating with PSU staff within the AoR and based on information received by relevant UNHCR units.
• Provide regular updates on UNHCR's thematic priorities and related funding gaps.
• Support the development of high quality annual public health reports and other materials suitable for fundraising.
• Support public health staff capacity development on resource mobilization approaches and tools.
• Perform other tasks as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Fund raising packages for thematic topics developed
• Public health concept notes, proposals and reports submitted

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education

• Clinical degree in health care (e.g., medical or nursing qualification) with post graduate degree or certificate in public health, health economics or related field

OR

• Degree in social science, international relations, journalism or marketing with master's degree in public health

b. Work Experience

• At least 6 years of relevant experience with Bachelor's degree; 5 years with Master's degree; or 4 years with Doctorate degree. For the purposes of this role, relevant experience refers to professional experience in fundraising for public health programmes.
• Work experience in low- and middle-income countries with forcibly displaced persons is an asset.
• Experience in managing private sector partnerships is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in successful fundraising and resource mobilization particularly health sector-specific fundraising.
• Prior experience working with or for the United Nations system, international NGOs, or international financial institutions is an asset.
• Strong understanding of global health financing landscape is an asset.

c. Key Competencies

Required:

• Clinical background and qualified public health specialist
• Solid analytical and drafting skills and proven ability to develop high‑quality concept notes, proposals, briefs and donor related materials for health programmes, with a solid understanding of diverse donor requirements.
• Strong understanding of humanitarian, development and private sector financing landscapes, including earmarked and unearmarked funding modalities.
• Professional competence in English (oral and written).

Desired:

• Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiations skills to deal with persons of various professional and cultural backgrounds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong logical thinking capacity and organizing skills.
• Knowledge of another UN language is considered an asset.

A written test may be included in the selection process.

Other information

home-based This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote: Yes

While we do our best in sharing high quality job postings, Jobs in Geneva can't guarantee or be made responsible for the content in the postings (e.g. specified deadlines or links).