Senior External Relations Officer at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Job description

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Senior External Relations Officer normally reports to the Representative or Deputy Representative. The incumbent has direct supervisory responsibility for External Relations staff.

External contacts are predominantly with partners, media, government, embassies and other international organizations in the country on matters of importance to the organization.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

• UNHCR country Office provides necessary inputs (proposals, reports, etc.) for fund-raising purposes.
• UNHCR Country Office has a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR's operations from external partners.
• External partners are informed regularly on all aspects of the protection and well-being of persons of concern and the status of UNHCR operations.
• Missions from Headquarters, donors, the press and media are well received and briefed.

Responsibility

• Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments in the area of forced displacement and humanitarian operations.
• Through a consultative process with UNHCR colleagues (Programme, Protection, etc.) with external actors and partners, develop and implement protection and assistance strategy, with clearly articulated objectives, timelines and outputs.
• Implement a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR's operations from external partners (e.g. the general public, governments, partners, the media, academia and persons of concern).
• Articulate all issues pertaining to the needs of the populations of concern and the strategies in place to respond to their needs.
• Ensure that the UNHCR priorities are given adequate weight in the documentation of the UN Country Team.
• Maintain a close dialogue with and provide accurate information to donors by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and donor missions. Prepare reports as appropriate.
• In accordance with the operational context and in close cooperation with headquarters, access new and non-traditional funding sources, as appropriate, including private sector and humanitarian pooled/basket funds (e.g. Central Emergency Response Fund, Human Security Fund).
• Through a consultative process with headquarters, disseminate information on UNHCR's global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement special projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for persons of concern in the country operation.
• Participate in inter-agency cooperation and communication strategies, initiatives and tools.
• Support senior management in representing UNHCR in the UN Country Team and other UN coordination fora.
• Support, and participate in, local UN integrated missions, Inter-Agency Standing Committee, Emergency Relief Coordinator and Cluster communication strategies and initiatives.
• Manage the information flow within the country operations by identifying priority matters, securing, analyzing and disseminating documentation and information to support country operations and corporate communication processes and priorities.
• Consolidate information on UNHCR's country operations and identify appropriate messages for campaigns and appeals.
• Coordinate the drafting of, and/or draft, situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
• Develop targeted communications strategies and media packages for situations and/or activities that require focused attention.
• Identify and target major events and initiatives (e.g. commercial, cultural, political and sports) to promote the work of UNHCR.
• Manage media relations by, inter alia, responding to direct queries, publishing press releases and organizing regular briefings and visits to country operations.

Authority

• Approve fund-raising messages.
• Approve any relevant expenditure for the implementation of fund-raising activities.
• Decide which donors to approach and which operations or activities to prioritize for special fundraising appeals.
• Approve the communications strategy.
• Approve budgets and expenditures for communications activities.
• Clear external relations/communication products and tools.
• Represent UNHCR fund-raising and communication priorities in inter-agency initiatives and fora.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism or other related fields plus8 years of relevant work experience of which minimum of 5 years in International capacity. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
• Highly developed drafting ability in working language of duty station.
• Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.
  (In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of working language of duty station and working knowledge of English.)

*** For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• Working knowledge of another UN language depending on country of assignment.
• Communication skills.
• Good knowledge of UNHCR operations both at Headquarters and in the Field.