External Relations Assistant

Details

Mission and objectives

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly and began its work on 01 January 1951. UNHCR's primary mandate is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees and the Office continues to strive to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. UNHCR carries out a range of protection activities, including refugee status determination, learning and development, and community-based protection. UNHCR continues to pursue durable solutions for refugees. UNHCR Multi Country Office (MCO) in Saudi Arabia covers KSA, Bahrain and Oman. UNHCR's strategic objective in these countries revolves around fostering strong partnerships with local governments, private sector and civil society with the aim to enhance advocacy, create empathy and mobilize resources to support the humanitarian response to the forcibly displaced.

Context

UNHCR Multi Country Office (MCO) in Saudi Arabia covers KSA, Bahrain and Oman. UNHCR's strategic objective in these countries revolves around fostering strong partnerships with local governments, private sector and civil society with the aim to enhance advocacy, create empathy and mobilize resources to support the humanitarian response to the forcibly displaced. The Volunteer will support the achievement and implementation of MCO's strategic objectives as outlined in the strategic planning documents for the office. The incumbent will stay abreast of political and policy changes and developments in a way to enhance the office’s external relations efforts; as well as the challenges posed by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments in the area of forced displacement and humanitarian operations. This project primarily aims to ensure constant visibility and advocacy vis-à-vis main government stakeholders through maximizing their access to information and enhancing their engagement. This requires a dedicated staff member to ensure collection, streamlining and dissemination of proposals, concept notes and briefing material as well as to guarantee UNHCR’s involvement in the various events and initiatives taking place in KSA.

Task description

Under the overall supervision of the External Relations Officer, the External Relations Assistant will be assigned the following duties: • Monitor UNHCR reports and situation updates and extract highlights for internal and external briefing updates. • Coordinate with relevant operations for drafting and shaping concept notes, proposals, and progress reports. • Monitor political, policy, societal and economic developments to identify trends and partnership prospects. • Monitor events planned in KSA and ensure early involvement and participation of UNHCR as needed. • Assist in organising meetings and briefings by preparing relevant research and materials and following up on outcomes and action points execution.