Senior External Relations Officer

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Senior External Relations Officer

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-aising 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.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not 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.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Senior External Relations Officer positions. 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. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3 <p>The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific security and welfare profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). These profiles have been specifically designed to answer some of the key questions (on security conditions, medical provisions, staff welfare, living and working conditions) potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care. This project is still in the pilot phase, and as such some of the information leaflets are being produced as we speak and might not be available yet. They will be soon, so keep checking. 

UNHCR's official presence in the People¿s Republic of China dates back to 1980 to assist the Indochinese refugees. Since then, its work has centred on refugee status determination, assistance and resettlement of refugees. Despite being signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention since 1982, China has no mechanism for dealing with individual refugees.

In recent years, China has emerged as a global power with international influence. The Chinese Government has made positive contributions to the New York Declaration and the Leader¿s Summit on Refugees, clearly recognising that the challenges of refugees and migrants require a global approach. It is clear that this internationalist outlook ¿ backed by huge political leverage and funding opportunities through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the South-South Cooperation framework ¿ provides UNHCR with enormous opportunities for strengthened cooperation and partnerships.

To implement the ambitious agenda of a strengthened engagement with China, UNHCR China is creating a unit that brings fundraising, communications and private sector partnerships under unified leadership alongside government relations.

The ideal candidate should have excellent knowledge, ability and experience in managing relations with key partners including the media, Governments, embassies, donors, UN agencies and civil society in a politically sensitive context. A good understanding of UNHCR¿s field operations, programme management and resource mobilisation as well as Donor Relations and Resource Mobilisation (DRRM) is highly desirable. S/he should also have excellent interpersonal, managerial, political, analytical, negotiation, and written and oral communication skills. UNHCR is resetting its relations with China to reflect the shifting geopolitical dynamics of recent years and China¿s changing role on the global stage.

In recent years, China has gone from providing $800,000 per year in core funding to UNHCR, to $10 million in project funding in 2017. Under its South-South Cooperation and Belt and Road Initiatives, it is seeking to provide annual support to humanitarian and developmental projects through the newly-established China International Development Cooperation Agency.

Other new Government institutions were set up in 2018 ¿ notably the State Immigration Administration and the Ministry of Emergency Management ¿ offering UNHCR further entry points to engage on domestic legislation and global emergency preparedness. 

In view of these developments, UNHCR is transitioning from an operation driven mainly by domestic protection activities to one that seeks to strengthen UNHCR¿s engagement with the Government and other stakeholders to mobilise political and funding support for refugees worldwide.

This multi-pronged strategy of developing and deepening diverse partnerships between UNHCR and public and private sectors in China can help to address humanitarian needs and the root causes of displacement. It can also enhance trust and create space to build on existing protection activities and capacities within China. In Beijing, people live in and commute from all parts of the city. The most popular areas of living for foreigners are Chaoyang and the Dongcheng districts. These areas host international schools as well as a vibrant restaurant and bar scene. Many of the embassies, consulates and other international organizations are also based in these two districts. China is a country with a very diverse population, geography and climate and has experienced burgeoning economic growth over the past decade. The overall safety and security situation in China is calm and stable. The security level for the country is assessed as Level ¿ 1 (Minimal). In China the threat from natural hazards is substantial. Earthquakes, flooding, landslides and torrential rains can happen from time to time. It is recommended that all staff remain vigilant in all parts of China and that common sense and the application of basic security awareness precautions be taken.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add.4 to March 2018 Compendium is Wednesday 5 Septembe 2018 (midnight Geneva time).