Assistant External Relations Officer (Temporary Appointment) at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

• The incumbent is closely supervised on issues concerning external relations and public information by the External Relations Officer or the Representative who gives regular guidance and advice to the incumbent. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units in a country office/ operation.  
•  External contacts are generally with a broad range of officials from national and international institutions, media or general public on matters of importance to the Organization.
• All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, crossfunctional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

•  Assist the management in dealing with the challenges posed by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments in the area of forced displacement and humanitarian operations.
•  Assist in planning and organizing 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).
•  Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide accurate information by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and missions.
•  Assist the management in disseminating 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.
•  Participate when requested in the interagency cooperation and communication strategies, initiatives and tools.
•  Assist in the management of information flows 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.
•  Assist in the drafting of situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles. 
•  Assist in planning and organizing advertisements, exhibitions, training seminars, conferences, meetings, social events and other activities to promote a better understanding of UNHCR¿s activities and accomplishments by the general public and/or organized groups.
•  Support the management of media relations by, inter alia, drafting responses to direct queries, draft press releases and organizing regular briefings and visits to country operations.
•  Organize press briefings for external parties as required.
•  Organize the distribution of UNHCR publications and the provision of materials to various institutions and individuals.
•  Produce reports for donor agencies as required.
•  Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience

• For P1/NOA  1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education 

• Political Sciences   Social Sciences, International Relations
• Journalism   Communication or other relevant field.
• (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) 

Relevant Job Experience
Essential

• Excellent knowledge of local institution, politics and culture.

Desirable

• Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills 

• ITComputer Literacy
• ITWeb Content Management
• CODrafting and Documentation
• (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) 

Language Requirements 

• For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
• For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
• For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.