PPH Officer (Islamic Philanthropy)
PPH Officer (Islamic Philanthropy)
Apply locations London, United Kingdom
Time type: Full time
Posted on: Posted 8 Days Ago
Time left to apply: End Date: January 21, 2025 (4 days left to apply)
Job requisition id: JR2552307
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: 2025-02-01
Deadline for Applications: January 20, 2025
Terms of Reference
General Background:
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in over 130 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions. UNHCR is almost entirely funded by voluntary contributions from governments and private donors.
In the UK, philanthropic efforts, including faith-based philanthropy, are increasingly recognized as critical components of addressing global humanitarian challenges. As the displacement crisis continues to grow worldwide, the need for innovative funding approaches is pressing. The UK has a strong tradition of charitable giving across various faiths, with Islamic philanthropy playing an important role, driven by principles like Zakat (obligatory alms) and Sadaqah (voluntary donations).
The Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) Service within UNHCR has been actively engaged in faith-based funding for several years. This includes Islamic philanthropy, which has emerged as a significant and growing source of support for UNHCR's global refugee response. To further strengthen this initiative, UNHCR has established a dedicated global hub for Islamic philanthropy in Dubai, which provides strategic support and guidance to colleagues across the organization. The UK, with its diverse Muslim community and well-established Islamic financial sector, offers potential for UNHCR to expand its Islamic philanthropy portfolio.
The position will be part of UNHCR’s Private Sector Partnerships Unit, which sits within the Department of External Relations (DER) responsible for mobilizing resources to enable UNHCR’s refugee response programming around the world. The PPH Officer (Islamic Philanthropy) position will be part of the PSP Europe Regional team and will be based in the UNHCR Office located in London.
The position:
UNHCR is seeking to recruit an Officer to support the development of its Islamic Philanthropy strategy within the UK. The Officer will work closely with the UK for UNHCR team, leveraging their experience in Islamic giving and philanthropy to help cultivate long-term partnerships with foundations, faith-based charities, institutional donors, Islamic financial institutions, and individual philanthropists.
The ideal candidate will have proven experience in Islamic philanthropy, strong connections within the UK Muslim community, and a deep understanding of the UK’s philanthropic landscape. The Officer will play a key role in driving transparency, compliance, and trust, ensuring UNHCR's programs align with Islamic philanthropic principles, thus supporting the growth of this crucial funding stream.
The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Senior PSP Officer (Europe) in close collaboration with UK for UNHCR (UK4U), working to support their fundraising team. The incumbent will furthermore help UK4U liaise with key UNHCR teams including the representation in London and the Bureau for Europe in Geneva.
The incumbent will be based in London, UK, including meeting regularly with the team at UK for UNHCR.
Duties and responsibilities:
* Identify and establish contact with a range of potential Islamic Philanthropy supporters, including leading Islamic financial institutions in the UK, corporate organisations, Muslim charities, grant giving organisations, and influential connectors, to support UK for UNHCR’s work to raise funds for refugees and IDPs.
* Create a clear case for support and a range of compelling project proposals and reports to solicit and report back on Islamic funds, tailored to the interests of Islamic philanthropists.
* Build and strengthen relationships with key internal and external stakeholders related to the guidance and implementation of UNHCR's Islamic Philanthropy strategy.
* Support in refining UNHCR's strategic approach to Islamic Philanthropy in the UK, identifying opportunities and strengthening the case for support through existing streams.
* Support the effective implementation of the strategy, building relationships among Islamic Philanthropy actors in the UK.
* Help establish strong, creative events and communications programme for cultivation and stewardship opportunities around Islamic Philanthropy.
* Provide guidance on best practices in Islamic Philanthropy, with recommendations for credibility and transparency improvements.
* Support UNHCR in reconciling received Islamic funding for accountability and transparency in reporting to donors.
* Liaise with relevant internal UNHCR stakeholders to ensure ongoing compliance of relevant programmes.
* Ensure regular reports on optimum utilization of Islamic funds are drafted and published.
* Perform other ad-hoc functions.
Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required:
* University Degree in Finance, Islamic Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or related field is mandatory.
* Minimum 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate/Bachelor’s degree; or 5 years with Graduate/Master’s degree; or 4 years with Doctorate/PHD degree.
* Knowledge of the Muslim community and networks in the UK.
* Proven expertise in Islamic philanthropy and/or Islamic finance in the UK or Islamic world.
* Proven experience in fundraising.
* Good knowledge of humanitarian assistance and UN environment.
* Strong project management skills.
Key Competencies:
* Excellent knowledge of Islamic Philanthropy and Financing Practices.
* High client orientation, networking and relationship-building skills.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
* Excellent negotiation skills.
* Good written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
* Fluency in English; Arabic is a plus.
Location:
The successful candidate will be based with the team in UNHCR’s office in London, UK.
Conditions:
The position is associated with a yearly contract, valid until end of the year, with possibility of renewal. It is a full-time role from Monday to Friday (37.5 hours per week).
Application process:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to the next stages of the recruitment process. For more information, please check UNHCR’s websites (www.unhcr.org).
In case of unexpected technical problems during the application process, candidates should direct their questions to recruitment@case.unhcr.org.
Diversity
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
About Us
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, takes the lead in protecting people forced to flee wars and persecution around the world, providing life-saving aid including shelter, food and water to ensure their basic safety, rights and dignity.
Why a career with UNHCR?
Our dedicated staff work to protect and assist people fleeing conflict and persecution at a time when global forced displacement is at a record high.
Disability inclusion
If you are a person with a disability and you expect you may face challenges during the recruitment process, you can indicate it in your application form.
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