UNICEF Fundraising Officer Vacancy 2026: Nine-Month Appointment in Colombo With Staff Benefits
UNICEF Fundraising Officer Vacancy 2026: Nine-Month Appointment in Colombo With Staff Benefits. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is recruiting a Fund Raising Officer (NO-A) for its Sri Lanka Country Office in Colombo. The position is offered under a nine-month Temporary Appointment and focuses on fundraising, private-sector partnerships and resource mobilisation to support programmes for children.
The role may interest candidates with backgrounds in business administration, marketing, communications, economics, international development and related fields. Applicants need a relevant bachelor’s degree and at least one year of professional experience.
Application deadline: 5 November 2026.
An important eligibility consideration is that this is a National Officer position. UNICEF does not arrange visas or work authorisation for National Officer appointments, so applicants must check that they meet Sri Lanka’s applicable residence and employment requirements. Opportunities Feed
Quick overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | UNICEF |
| Position | Fund Raising Officer |
| Vacancy number | 596497 |
| Position reference | #138888 |
| Level | NO-A / NO-1 |
| Location | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Contract | Temporary Appointment |
| Duration | 9 months |
| Functional area | Fundraising and resource mobilisation |
| Minimum education | Bachelor’s degree |
| Minimum experience | 1 year |
| Languages | English required; Sinhala and/or Tamil an advantage |
| Application deadline | 5 November 2026 |
About UNICEF
UNICEF Fundraising Officer Vacancy 2026: Nine-Month Appointment in Colombo With Staff Benefits
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to protect children’s rights, improve their well-being and help them reach their full potential.
UNICEF works with governments, civil society organisations, businesses and other partners to support programmes in health, education, nutrition, child protection, water and sanitation, and emergency response.
The organisation also mobilises resources from the private sector to help finance programmes for children. This includes partnerships with companies, foundations, philanthropists and business networks.
The Fund Raising Officer will contribute to this work by helping UNICEF Sri Lanka identify new funding opportunities and strengthen relationships with private-sector partners. Sri Lanka, APR
About the Fund Raising Officer position
The position is based within UNICEF Sri Lanka’s communications, advocacy and partnerships function.
The successful candidate will work under the overall guidance of the Chief of Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships and the direct supervision of the Resource Mobilization Officer.
The main purpose is to support UNICEF Sri Lanka’s private-sector fundraising and partnership activities. This includes identifying prospective partners, researching their interests, developing funding propositions and maintaining records of fundraising opportunities.
The role is particularly focused on expanding and diversifying financial support for UNICEF programmes. Sri Lanka, APR
Key responsibilities
The Fund Raising Officer will contribute to several areas of resource mobilisation.
1. Prospect research and partner intelligence
- Research potential corporate donors, foundations, philanthropists and business networks.
- Identify organisations whose interests align with UNICEF’s priorities.
- Gather information about potential partners and their funding interests.
- Maintain intelligence on partnership opportunities.
2. Private-sector fundraising
- Support fundraising activities targeting private-sector organisations.
- Identify opportunities to diversify funding sources.
- Help develop approaches for engaging prospective donors.
- Support efforts to strengthen private-sector contributions to programmes for children.
3. Partner engagement
- Assist with communication and follow-up with existing and prospective partners.
- Support relationship management and partner stewardship.
- Help coordinate engagement activities.
- Contribute to UNICEF’s visibility within Sri Lanka’s private-sector and philanthropic community.
4. Proposal and fundraising support
- Help prepare funding proposals and concept notes.
- Develop presentations and briefing materials.
- Work with programme teams to translate programme priorities into partnership opportunities.
- Support the preparation of fundraising documentation.
5. Pipeline management, monitoring and reporting
- Maintain fundraising databases and tracking systems.
- Monitor the progress of prospective partnership opportunities.
- Track follow-up actions and fundraising activities.
- Prepare updates and reports for the relevant team.
6. Events and communications
- Support private-sector networking events and partnership activities.
- Assist with communications and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
- Coordinate information and documentation related to fundraising work.
- Work with programme and communications colleagues to support partnership development.
Sri Lanka, APR
Salary, benefits and employment conditions
UNICEF describes its staff package as an attractive compensation and benefits package. However, the published vacancy does not provide a specific salary figure for this NO-A appointment.
Applicants should therefore avoid relying on salary estimates from unrelated UNICEF vacancies or other duty stations.
Staff benefits
The vacancy announcement highlights the following benefits and workplace provisions:
- Paid parental leave.
- Breastfeeding breaks.
- Reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities.
- Professional and personal development opportunities.
- An attractive compensation and benefits package.
The exact benefits and financial terms applicable to this appointment should be confirmed through UNICEF’s recruitment process. Sri Lanka, APR
Contract duration
The appointment is temporary and lasts nine months.
This is not advertised as a permanent position. Applicants should consider the fixed duration when assessing whether the opportunity fits their employment plans.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must meet the minimum education and professional experience requirements.
1. Educational qualifications
A completed bachelor’s degree or equivalent first-level university qualification is required.
Relevant fields include:
- Business Administration.
- Marketing.
- Communications.
- Economics.
- International Development.
- Social Sciences.
- A related discipline.
Applicants should ensure their qualifications are relevant to fundraising, partnership development, business engagement or resource mobilisation.
2. Professional experience
At least one year of relevant professional experience is required.
Relevant experience may include:
- Fundraising.
- Partnership development.
- Business development.
- Corporate relations.
- Marketing.
- Communications.
- Stakeholder engagement.
This is an entry-level National Officer appointment, so candidates with relevant early-career experience may meet the experience threshold.
3. Required skills
UNICEF identifies several skills relevant to the position:
- Partnership development and stakeholder engagement.
- Prospect research and partner intelligence.
- Proposal and concept-note development.
- Business writing.
- Preparation of presentations and briefing notes.
- Coordination and event organisation.
- Microsoft Office and digital tools.
- Research, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Database management and activity tracking.
- Ability to manage multiple follow-up activities.
Applicants should demonstrate these skills through specific examples in their CV and application.
4. Language requirements
English proficiency is required.
Knowledge of Sinhala and/or Tamil is an advantage.
Applicants who can communicate in one or both local languages may be better placed to support engagement with businesses, foundations and other stakeholders in Sri Lanka. However, the vacancy lists these languages as desirable rather than mandatory. Sri Lanka, APR
Additional desirable experience
UNICEF Fundraising Officer Vacancy 2026: Nine-Month Appointment in Colombo With Staff Benefits
Although not all of the following are compulsory, UNICEF identifies several additional areas of experience and knowledge that may strengthen an application:
- Working with corporate organisations.
- Engagement with foundations and philanthropic organisations.
- Experience with business associations.
- Knowledge of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
- Understanding of environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities.
- Knowledge of sustainability and corporate social investment.
- Experience using fundraising databases and pipeline tracking tools.
- Developing funding propositions with programme teams.
- Relevant experience in development, fragile settings or humanitarian contexts.
Candidates should distinguish between the minimum requirements and these desirable qualifications when preparing their applications.
Can international applicants apply?
UNICEF Fundraising Officer Vacancy 2026: Nine-Month Appointment in Colombo With Staff Benefits
The vacancy encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of nationality, gender, religious or ethnic background.
However, there is an important restriction: this is a National Officer (NO-A) position based in Sri Lanka.
UNICEF explicitly states that it does not facilitate visas or work authorisation for candidates applying for National Officer and General Service positions.
Consequently, applicants living outside Sri Lanka should not assume that UNICEF will arrange permission to relocate and work in the country. Candidates must independently establish whether they meet the relevant residence and employment authorisation requirements.
For applicants from Zimbabwe and other countries, this is particularly important to check before investing time in an application. Sri Lanka, APR
Who should apply?
This opportunity may be relevant to:
- Business administration graduates with fundraising or partnership experience.
- Marketing professionals interested in resource mobilisation.
- Communications graduates with stakeholder engagement experience.
- Early-career development professionals.
- Candidates with experience supporting corporate partnerships.
- Professionals interested in CSR, ESG and corporate social investment.
- Candidates with experience preparing proposals and presentations.
- Individuals interested in working with an international development organisation.
The position is particularly suited to candidates who can combine research, communication, relationship management and organisational skills.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through the official UNICEF Careers platform.
Follow these steps:
- Open the official UNICEF vacancy announcement.
- Search for vacancy number 596497.
- Review the complete job description and requirements.
- Sign in or create an account on the UNICEF recruitment platform.
- Complete the online application.
- Provide your academic qualifications and relevant employment history.
- Highlight your fundraising, partnership, business development or communications experience.
- Review your information and submit the application before the deadline.
Official application
Fund Raising Officer, NO-A – Vacancy 596497
UNICEF Sri Lanka · Colombo · Nine-month Temporary AppointmentApply through UNICEF Careers
Use the official vacancy page to access the full job description and application instructions.
Documents and information to prepare
UNICEF Fundraising Officer Vacancy 2026: Nine-Month Appointment in Colombo With Staff Benefits
Before applying, candidates should have the following information ready:
- Updated CV or résumé.
- Details of their bachelor’s degree and academic qualifications.
- Employment history demonstrating relevant experience.
- Examples of fundraising or partnership work.
- Information about proposal writing and stakeholder engagement experience.
- Details of relevant digital tools and Microsoft Office skills.
- Language proficiency information.
The official recruitment platform will specify the documents and information required during submission.
Application deadline
Open at time of publication
5 November 2026
Application closing date
Duty station
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Vacancy number
596497
Appointment
9 months
The official UNICEF vacancy lists 5 November 2026 as the closing date, in Sri Lanka Standard Time. Submit your application ahead of the deadline to avoid last-minute technical difficulties. Sri Lanka, APR
Important things applicants should know
- The position is a nine-month Temporary Appointment, not a permanent job.
- The required qualification is a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- At least one year of relevant professional experience is required.
- English proficiency is compulsory.
- Sinhala and/or Tamil language skills are desirable.
- The position is classified as NO-A / NO-1.
- The exact salary is not published in the vacancy announcement.
- UNICEF does not facilitate visas or work authorisation for National Officer positions.
- Selected candidates undergo reference, safeguarding and background verification checks.
- UNICEF does not charge application or recruitment processing fees and will not ask applicants for bank account information. Sri Lanka, APR
Frequently asked questions
UNICEF Fundraising Officer Vacancy 2026: Nine-Month Appointment in Colombo With Staff Benefits
1. What is the UNICEF Fundraising Officer vacancy?
It is a nine-month Temporary Appointment for a Fund Raising Officer, NO-A, supporting UNICEF Sri Lanka’s private-sector fundraising and partnership activities.
2. Where is the position based?
The duty station is Colombo, Sri Lanka.
3. What is the duration of the appointment?
The appointment lasts nine months.
4. What qualifications are required?
Applicants need a completed bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Economics, International Development, Social Sciences or a related field.
5. How much work experience is required?
At least one year of relevant experience in fundraising, partnerships, business development, corporate relations, marketing, communications or stakeholder engagement.
6. Is knowledge of Sinhala or Tamil compulsory?
No. English proficiency is required, while knowledge of Sinhala and/or Tamil is an advantage.
7. Does UNICEF provide staff benefits?
Yes. UNICEF highlights paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities and an attractive compensation and benefits package. The precise financial terms for this vacancy are not published.
8. Can Zimbabwean applicants apply?
The vacancy encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of nationality. However, because it is a National Officer position, UNICEF will not arrange a visa or work authorisation. Applicants must independently meet Sri Lanka’s applicable requirements.
9. What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 5 November 2026.
10. Does UNICEF charge an application fee?
No. UNICEF does not charge fees at any stage of its recruitment and selection process.
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Final thoughts
UNICEF Fundraising Officer Vacancy 2026: Nine-Month Appointment in Colombo With Staff Benefits
UNICEF Fundraising Officer Vacancy 2026: Nine-Month Appointment in Colombo With Staff Benefits. The UNICEF Fund Raising Officer vacancy offers an opportunity for an early-career professional to contribute to fundraising and private-sector partnership development within an international development organisation.
With a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of relevant experience required, the position may interest candidates from business, marketing, communications and development backgrounds.
The nine-month appointment also provides exposure to donor research, proposal development, corporate engagement and resource mobilisation for programmes supporting children.
However, applicants should pay particular attention to the National Officer classification and Sri Lanka’s work authorisation requirements before applying.
Application deadline: 5 November 2026.
Disclaimer: Vacancy Bridge is an independent opportunities information platform. It is not affiliated with UNICEF and does not recruit on the organisation’s behalf. All application decisions and recruitment procedures are managed by UNICEF. Applicants should verify the vacancy details through the official UNICEF Careers website.
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