Strategic Donor Engagement & Proposals Manager

USA for UNHCR; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 106,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) match

Sabbatical leave

Volunteer time off

Job summary

USA for UNHCR in New York is seeking a highly strategic Manager, Program Engagement to lead the development of high-value proposals for principal donors.

You will craft clear, compelling content that demonstrates needs, impact, and funding outcomes, and coordinate with UNHCR stakeholders across programs and regions.

The role demands strong relationship skills, rigorous project management, and the ability to balance donor expectations with organizational priorities in a hybrid NYC work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in proposal and grant writing for principal donors and in project or grant management.
• Experience in international programs and fundraising/donor relations for private philanthropy preferred.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex and technical information into clear, compelling content for principal donors.
• Experience managing or supervising staff, with goal setting, coaching, and performance monitoring.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, Salesforce or similar CRMs, and Jira.
• Understanding of refugee issues, humanitarian programs, and global affairs.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of complex funding opportunities involving multiple stakeholders, workstreams, and deadlines, ensuring timely execution, clear accountability, and effective project management throughout the opportunity lifecycle.
• Lead the development of concept notes, proposals and reports from conception through delivery, including outreach to UNHCR to identify programs and activities that align with donor interests.
• Serve as a strategic liaison between fundraisers and UNHCR focal points, maintaining strong relationships, transparent communication, and effective coordination to advance donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Lead complex negotiations with UNHCR and internal stakeholders, ensuring objectives, project terms, and deliverables are clearly defined, agreed upon, and met.
• Develop compelling, relationship-centered proposals and donor materials that synthesize complex programmatic, technical, and budget information into clear, persuasive content demonstrating need, impact, and funding outcomes for principal gift audiences.
• Craft concise, emotionally resonant narratives that incorporate human stories and context to strengthen donor engagement, deepen connection, and inspire philanthropic support.
• Coordinate and guide the creation of evergreen content tailored for private philanthropy audiences, ensuring alignment with annual priorities and donor engagement calendars.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on UNHCR programs, emergencies, and thematic priorities, and on USA for UNHCR and donor requirements, proactively identifying opportunities and strengthening donor-facing materials.
• Ensure strict compliance with USA for UNHCR and UNHCR policies, donor requirements, technical specifications, and reporting obligations, including conducting quality reviews prior to submission.
• Establish standardized workflows, resource materials, and process improvements to streamline collaboration, enhance efficiency, and elevate organizational practices in funding opportunity development.
• Build organizational capacity by supporting and delivering staff training on UNHCR priorities, donor expectations, funding processes, and effective proposal development.
• Support the development of corporate, foundation, and civil society funding opportunities as needed, including outreach to UNHCR, proposal development, and donor reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job description

USA for UNHCR in New York is seeking a highly strategic Manager, Program Engagement to lead the development of high-value proposals for principal donors.

You will craft clear, compelling content that demonstrates needs, impact, and funding outcomes, and coordinate with UNHCR stakeholders across programs and regions.

The role demands strong relationship skills, rigorous project management, and the ability to balance donor expectations with organizational priorities in a hybrid NYC work environment.