Senior External Relations Asst (ind.Contractor)

The individual contractor will support UNHCR France¿s efforts to develop strategic partnerships, including :

1/ Support the development and strengthen strategic partnership with DIAIR and multiple actors involved in reception and integration of refugees :

¿ Assist in maintaining and further expanding the partnership with the Interministerial Delegation in charge of reception and integration of refugees including the UNHCR / Diair coordination platform with 80 NGO partners on integration of refugees in France ; the Academy for the participation of refugees; the Lab¿R (DIAIR) and other innovative projects;
¿ Assist in developing the partnership with Tent Foundation for regugees, private sector partners including the ESSEC business school to support initiatives linked to sensitization, social cohesion and access to employment for refugees.

2/ Establish contacts and develop partnerships with local organisations to promote general interest and understanding of refugee issues :
¿ Support the development of partnerships with local authorities (i.a. city of Paris and its Maison des Réfugiés) and sport entities (Paris 2024, ORF) ; 
¿ Support the organization of visit programs of Representatives and UNHCR official advocacy visits to Paris ;
¿ Develop and maintain ties with students from different associations/ cursus interested in working with refugees all around France, including the development of the pilote project of  speech contest ("concours d'éloquence")

3/ Assist in External relations unit day-to-day work:
¿ Keep track of evolving issues concerning persons of concern to be able to suggest new initiatives;
¿ Draft briefing notes and presentations for conferences / public events; ;
¿ Draft reports, briefings, updates, etc;
¿ Perform other duties as required.

Qualification and Experience:
a. Education
¿ Completion of the Secondary Education with Master's degree in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations or any other relevant field
¿ Completion of post-secondary training in Law could be an asset
¿ Level C2 in French and C1 English (CEFR Refers)

b. Work Experience

¿ 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher in the areas of External Relations/Communication/International Relations
¿ Experience in UNHCR
¿ Experience in National Administration could be an asset
¿ Experience in Human Rights organisation in France could be an asset
¿ International Experience could be an asset

c. Key competencies

Cross-Functional Competencies:

¿ Political Awareness
¿ Innovation and Creativity
¿ Analytical Thinking
¿ Change Capability and Adaptability Cross-Functional Competencies:

¿ Political Awareness
¿ Innovation and Creativity
¿ Analytical Thinking
¿ Change Capability and Adaptability

Desirable qualifications and competencies :

¿ Completion of UNHCR Learning Programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position Level C2 in French and C1 English - Please refer to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Common Reference Levels:

Level C2:
-Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read.
-Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation.
-Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

Level C1:

-Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning.
-Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
-Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
-Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
Selected candidates will be interviewed.
Please address queries related to the application process to frapasaf@unhcr.org.
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
======================================================================================================== The study conducted by Purpose in 2017 revealed the critical need for UNHCR to reach to the ¿anxious middle¿ in France, who are deeply pessimistic about the current economic situation and see the flow of refugees as a threat to their well-being. While further reinforcing this trend, the COVID-19 pandemic also confirmed the criticial necessity for UNHCR to partner with local institutions and NGOs to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the PoCs as well as to protect their rights. The adoption of the GCR has opened new angles to advocate for more engagement and to establish new coordination mechanisms and collaborative approaches. UNHCR France relies on these to seek opportunities to develop partnerships in the areas of local integration, legal pathways, public information and external relations ¿ which are essential to foster a favorable protection environment and combat xenophobia. 

Over the course of 2021, the office will continue to work towards enhancing recourse to multi-functional teams within the office, and proactively cooperating with external civil and institutional partners. It will also continue the development of its external relations activities with government, civil society, academics and the private sector.

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
¿ France is a politically stable country with efficient, modern health care service. The security level in the country is rated 1-Minimal.
¿ In the framework of the ongoing Covid-19, the personnel at the Representation is expected to abide by the national and UNHCR¿s COVID-19 regulations.
¿ Further health related information is available on the CDC¿s website. The closing date is 27/09/2021 at 24 hours. Applications should be submitted as early as possible to mitigate potential system malfunctions.