External Relations Officer

Standard Job Description

External Relations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

Direct supervision is normally exercised by a Senior External Relations Officer of Representative who provides guidance on the applicable procedures. Advice may also be provided by relevant functional units at HQ. The incumbent may supervise some support staff. External contacts are predominantly with Partners, media, government embassies and other international organizations 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, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• 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.
• Assist in the planning of a consultative process with UNHCR colleagues (Programme, Protection, etc.) with external actors and partners, so as to develop and implement protection and assistance strategy, with clearly articulated objectives, timelines and outputs.
• Assist the implementation of 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).
• Assist in the articulation of all issues pertaining to the needs of the populations of concern and the strategies in place to respond to their needs.
• Inform the UNHCR Country Team on the UNHCR priorities so as to ensure that they are given adequate weight in the publications and documentation of the UN Country Team.
• Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide accurate information by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and missions. Prepare reports as appropriate.
• In accordance with the operational context and in close cooperation with headquarters, propose 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 on behalf of the Representative and other supervisors 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.
• 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.
• Consolidate information on UNHCR's country operations and identify appropriate messages for campaigns and appeals.
• Assist in the coordination of the drafting of, situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
• Assist in the development of targeted communications strategies and media packages for situations and/or activities that require focused attention.
• Propose events and initiatives (e.g. commercial, cultural, political and sports) to promote the work of UNHCR and take action as appropriate.
• Support the management of media relations by, inter alia, responding to direct queries, publishing press releases and organizing regular briefings and visits to country operations.
• On behalf of the Representative, approve fundraising messages.
• On behalf of the Representative, approve any relevant expenditure for the implementation of fundraising activities.
• Propose which donors to approach and which operations or activities to prioritize for special fundraising appeals.
• Implement all aspects of a communications strategy.
• Approve budgets and expenditures for communications activities.
• Clear external relations/communication products and tools as appropriate.
• Represent UNHCR on behalf of senior management in fund-raising and communication priorities in inter-agency initiatives and fora.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.
• 
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism,

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Experience in humanitarian operations in a field environment.

Excellent knowledge of local institution, politics and culture.

Desirable

Good knowledge of UNHCR operations both at Headquarters and in the Field.

Fund-raising and programming/programme management experience.

Experience of working with social media.

Functional Skills

IT-Web Content Management

IT-Computer Literacy

CO-Drafting and Documentation

ER-Inter-Agency External Relations

(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.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

The position requires strong team-building skills, flexibility, and a willingness to work with colleagues to tackle complex challenges. The position requires strong research, writing, and analytical skills; substantial experience communicating complex policy and operational issues to diverse audiences; and extensive experience collaborating and sharing information, analysis, and recommendations across teams and functions. A demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain relationships and communications with critical internal and external constituencies and stakeholders is a must. The ER Officer must possess strong knowledge of the U.S. policymaking and legislative processes, an understanding of the interplay between Congress and the Executive Branch, and an extensive network of bipartisan contacts throughout Congress and Washington. Strong knowledge of the global refugee and humanitarian aid landscape is required. Extensive experience working in Congress or a humanitarian organization and a proven track record advocating on U.S. humanitarian and/or refugee policies is required. Experience facilitating Congressional travel overseas is highly desirable. Experience advising/staffing principals and senior leaders is also highly desirable.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The External Relations Officer reports to the Senior External Relations Officer and is part of the External Relations unit in the UNHCR Multi-Country office in Washington (MCOW). The ER unit works to engage and inform U.S. government officials, Congress, the diplomatic community, civil society, and other key stakeholders about UNHCR’s global strategic priorities and operations and the needs of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, and to ensure continued bipartisan U.S. political and financial support for UNHCR’s work around the globe. The External Relations Officer, as part of the broader U.S. engagement team, will build and maintain strong relationships with Congressional offices and other key stakeholders involved in shaping U.S. funding and policies impacting refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people, and stateless people worldwide. The External Relations Officer will also provide timely analysis to colleagues regarding the U.S. political environment, policy and legislative developments affecting forcibly uprooted persons and the work of UNHCR, and recommended courses of action.

The External Relations Officer works with UNHCR colleagues around the world to advance UNHCR’s global strategic priorities and relay timely and consistent messages to U.S. policymakers, and address Congressional and other stakeholder interests, concerns, and requests for information.

This position requires the ability to interface with Members of Congress and their staff, and to collaborate with UNHCR colleagues across the globe to ensure Congressional offices are informed about the needs and scope of the challenges related to ongoing humanitarian crises, UNHCR’s global operations, strategic priorities, and funding. The External Relations Officer will update Congressional offices regularly on UNHCR’s efforts to protect and assist the forcibly displaced through communication and information sharing, in-person briefings and meetings, briefings with colleagues from the field, and meetings/briefings by senior UNHCR leaders from HQ and the field. The External Relations Officer will also help facilitate visits by Members of Congress and their staff to UNHCR field operations to ensure humanitarian needs, operational challenges, and the impacts of U.S. funding are well understood.

Living and Working Conditions:

Multi-Country Washington is an H duty station. There are no particular security considerations in the USA or the Caribbean in general, and the living conditions in Washington D.C. are comfortable and safe. The post requires occasional mission travel to field locations. Current operational circumstances might require frequently long working hours. There is a need for security awareness, especially about criminality, when traveling to certain locations. MCOW is under the purview of a Senior Field Security officer in the Regional Bureau of Americas based in Panama.

Skills

Additional Qualifications

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Journalism, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science

Certifications

Work Experience

Workforce to Supervise

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This is a National Professional Officer position, and applicants should be US national (U.S Citizenship required) at the time of the application.

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance