Assistant External Relations Officer

This Job Opening is available to eligible UNHCR staff members and external applicants. Assistant External Relations Officer

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, cross-functional 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 inter-agency 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
Years of Experience / Degree Level
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)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

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
MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
IT-Computer Literacy
IT-Web Content Management
MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
MS-Translation
ER-Communications/media/digital/social media communicat. monitoring/analysis/presentation
(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. Please also note that Arabic and English are essential for this Job Opening. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.  Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for written test and/or oral interview.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. Successful candidates will be subject to mandatory UN Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment clearance check prior to receiving an offer. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees). All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
======================================================================================================== The External Relations Unit in the UNHCR Lebanon operation leads the mobilization of more than $300million each year for protection and assistance programs through proactive engagement with traditional and non-traditional, including private sector donors, the submission of a large number of funding proposals and the production of high-quality results-based reports and donor visibility products. The incumbent is a member of the External Relations team and plays a key role in implementing donor engagement and fundraising strategies, to enhance and grow support from current and prospective donors. S/he is supervised by the External Relations Officer who provides guidance on the applicable procedures and the overall strategy of the External Relations Unit, and works closely with the External Communications Unit in the Lebanon operation, to ensure consistency in branding. Advice may also be provided by relevant functional units at HQ and the MENA Bureau. Under the supervision of the UNHCR Lebanon focal point for the Prospects Partnership, the External Relations Associate will support the UNHCR management of the Prospects Partnership, including in developing a Multi-Annual Country Programme (MACP) and related partner synergies in cooperation with the Prospects Partners. The External Relations Associate will also support the development and coordination of the Prospects Opportunity Fund (OF) proposals/projects and assist with reporting requirements of the Partnership. The incumbent will assist the External Relations Visibility Officer in the drafting of situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases as well as web stories and social media posts.  The incumbent will also be assisting the External Relations Officer in coordinating with relevant UNHCR offices in donor capitals as well as DRRM, on the production of various donor visibility products as well as donor visibility work plans and strategies. External contacts are predominantly with donors/embassies in Lebanon, media, partners, suppliers, and other international organizations on matters of importance to the operation. S/he is expected to maintain the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide accurate and timely information about the country operation, its funding needs and the impact of the strategies rolled out by UNHCR, including by organizing regular bilateral or joint briefings, missions to the field, and by preparing various communication products (including on social media platforms). S/he will be required to prepare funding proposals and donor reports as appropriate. The incumbent should be versed in external relations and/or public communication. She/he should also have a good understanding of UNHCR's programming and budget structure as well as excellent written and oral communication skills. And in terms of languages Arabic and English are essential and also French is desired Interested qualified Group 1 and external candidates meeting the requirements of the Job Descriptions posted online can apply as follows no later than 01 August 2021 Midnight Geneva Time.