The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is recruiting a Resource Mobilization Specialist (P4) in New York, United States, focused on helping the Joint SDG Fund turn strategic priorities into funding opportunities, strengthen donor relationships, and support multi-year resource mobilization efforts.
The position is full time, fixed term for one year with the possibility of extension, with applications due by September 12, 2026, at 08:59 AM.
Key details at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Employer | UNDP |
| Position | Resource Mobilization Specialist |
| Grade | P4 |
| Location | New York, United States |
| Job ID | 36593 |
| Job type | Fixed Term |
| Schedule | Full time |
| Contract | 1 year, with possibility for extension |
| Education | Master’s degree, or bachelor’s degree with additional qualifying experience |
| Experience | 7 years with a master’s, or 9 years with a bachelor’s |
| Language | Fluency in English required |
| Mobility | Mobility required; non-rotational |
| Application deadline | September 12, 2026, 08:59 AM |
The vacancy was posted on August 28, 2026.
What does the Resource Mobilization Specialist do?
This is a senior resource-mobilization role rather than a general fundraising position. The successful candidate will help translate the Joint SDG Fund’s strategic priorities into concrete funding opportunities.
The work combines donor engagement, fundraising strategy, pipeline management, analysis, proposal development and reporting. The specialist will also support senior-level engagements and prepare materials used in discussions with donors and institutional partners.
A significant part of the job involves managing the donor engagement lifecycle. That includes researching opportunities, tracking the funding pipeline, coordinating proposals, following reporting schedules and ensuring that donor requirements and relevant UNDP/MPTF-O policies are followed.
The position also has an important Member State and Permanent Mission engagement component. The specialist may prepare briefing notes, talking points and speeches for high-level meetings, maintain donor and Member State profiles, and support Strategic Advisory Group meetings and donor consultations.
The role goes beyond proposal writing
Applicants should expect a strong analytical component alongside relationship management.
The position calls for donor intelligence and financing-landscape analysis to identify emerging funding opportunities, donor priorities and resource-mobilization prospects. It also involves analyzing funding trends and political, reputational and operational risks that could influence the Fund’s efforts.
The specialist will contribute to multi-year resource mobilization plans, funding scenarios and donor engagement strategies and prepare evidence-based recommendations for senior management.
Another important element is coordination across the UN development system. The role supports collaboration with Resident Coordinators, UN Country Teams and institutional partners to identify and develop joint financing opportunities. It can also involve donor roundtables, roadshows and missions aimed at developing strategic partnerships.
Who is eligible to apply?
The core eligibility requirements are substantial. UNDP requires either an advanced university degree in Economics, Business Management, Social Sciences, Political Sciences or a related field, or a first-level university degree in these areas combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience.
Professional experience is equally important. Candidates need:
- At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in resource mobilization within an international development context if they hold a master’s degree.
- At least 9 years if they hold a bachelor’s degree.
- At least 7 years supporting or leading resource mobilization for UN Secretariats of global or multi-country thematic funds, pooled funds or vertical funds, with demonstrated donor-relations experience.
- Previous field-context experience in sustainable development.
The source also lists several desirable qualifications, including experience with public and institutional donors, multi-year resource mobilization strategies, donor portfolios and fundraising pipelines, donor reporting, donor intelligence and financial analysis. Experience with UN inter-agency coordination and knowledge of the UN development system, the Development Coordination Office and Resident Coordinator System is also desirable.
What skills will UNDP be looking for?
The vacancy emphasizes a combination of strategic thinking, partnership-building and analytical judgment.
Among the core competencies are the ability to achieve results, think innovatively, learn continuously, adapt to changing demands, act with determination, engage and partner effectively, and support diversity and inclusion. These competencies are listed at Level 3 for the position.
The technical profile is particularly relevant for experienced fundraising professionals. UNDP highlights:
- Resource mobilization and identifying suitable funding sources
- Strategic thinking and prioritization
- Relationship management
- Partnership management
- Public relations
- Systems thinking
- Portfolio management
The portfolio-management competency also includes knowledge of key principles of project, programme and portfolio management.
English is required; another UN language is desirable
Fluency in English is required for the position. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
The vacancy is marked “Open to all applicants.” UNDP also states that it is an equal opportunity employer and encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
An important point about the UNDP tiered application process
The vacancy includes UNDP’s tiered application explanation. Under this system, certain vacancies prioritize existing UNDP, UNCDF and UNV personnel depending on their appointment status.
For this particular vacancy, the title does not indicate a Tier 0, Tier 1 or Tier 2 restriction. The source explains that Tier 3 or no tier indicated covers other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV, other agencies and external candidates. Applicants should nevertheless check the vacancy title and their eligibility before applying.
Contract, mobility and recruitment notes
The appointment is listed as fixed term, with a duration of one year and the possibility of extension. The position requires mobility and is designated non-rotational.
UNDP states that selected candidates undergo relevant checks and are expected to follow its standards concerning harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. The organization also notes that it may select one or more candidates from the announcement and may retain applications for consideration for similar positions at the same grade with comparable requirements.
Applicants are also directed to UNDP’s guidance on the responsible use of AI during recruitment and selection. Importantly, UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process.
How to apply
Applications should be submitted through the official UNDP vacancy for Resource Mobilization Specialist, Job Identification 36593, in New York. The listed closing time is September 12, 2026, at 08:59 AM.
Applicants should pay particular attention to the experience requirements before applying. This is a P4 position requiring substantial professional experience in international development resource mobilization, including experience involving UN global or multi-country funds and donor relations.
