TA - Goodwill Ambassador Relations Officer in New York, USA

Terms of Reference
Goodwill Ambassador Relations Officer
Goodwill Ambassadors Section (GWA), Global Communications Service (GCS),
Division of External Relations (DER)

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full time position within the Global Communications Service in our New York office.
Based within the Division for External Relations, the Goodwill Ambassador (GWA) Section is recruiting a GWA Relations Officer to take responsibility for the recruitment, management and stewardship of celebrities and high profile influencers/supporters.  This includes coordinating relationships, media, content, social media and related activities. This is a unique opportunity for the right person to join a high performing team and develop their career in working with influencers for the furtherance of humanitarian goals.
UNHCR is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in 135 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

Title: Goodwill Ambassador Relations Officer
Duty Station: New York, USA
Duration: Fixed Term Appointment  6 months with possibility to consider extension
Contract Type: P3
Closing date: 8 February 2022 (2 weeks from day 1 advertising)
Start date:  1st March 2022

Organisational context
Based within the Division for External Relations, the mission of the global Goodwill Ambassador (GWA) Programme is to partner with a diverse range of public figures and influencers, including refugees, to harness their influence, platforms, visibility and networks to maximise UNHCR¿s impact for the forcibly displaced and stateless. Our work is guided by the values of diversity and inclusion with the aim of centering refugee voices and positioning displaced people as equal and expert contributors, ensuring their dignity is first and foremost respected above all.  Broadly, all GWA work supports UNHCR¿s global and/or market-specific objectives of advocacy, awareness, fundraising and public engagement and is strategically planned with each project or initiative having clear objectives, KPIs, target audiences, proposed outputs and expected outcomes.  More specifically, through a variety of representational voices, powerful story-telling, highly creative content and strong calls to action, we aim to reach new audiences and deepen audience engagement with relatable and accessible messaging that builds empathy for refugees; shift attitudinal and political change in favour of refugees; build brand awareness and trust in UNHCR; and mobilize resources through fundraising initiatives and partnership development.
The Goodwill Ambassador Section sits within the Global Communications Service of UNHCR.  In support of GCS aims to promote diversity and inclusion within its staff base, applicants from under-represented groups including black and Hispanic communities are welcome.

The position
This role will be based in New York, alongside one other senior GWA officer (Senior External Relations Officer, P4) to whom they will report.  The rest of the GWA section, including the Head, is based in London.  As an expert post, the incumbent will not require close daily supervision of tasks, but will be expected to exercise their expert knowledge, experience and skills to work independently and on their own initiative while being guided by the overarching GWA strategy and the objectives outlined in their TORs and e-pad and with advice from the supervisor and head of section.  There will be regular communication with the supervisor on work related issues, daily virtual team catch -ups and a weekly team meeting. The post may supervise individual consultants and interns. 
The incumbent is expected to strategically manage some existing supporters and help cultivate and recruit new supporters in line with our aim of building a robust program that is representational, diverse and delivers measurable impact. In collaboration with the wider team and in connection with the overarching GWA strategy, the incumbent will develop and implement strategic plans for individual supporters, working collaboratively with multiple teams to ensure each activity is on message and delivers the maximum impact possible; generate creative ideas for supporter engagement and/or for developing new media/digital partnerships that center refugees and position them as equal and valued contributors.  They will also serve as GWA team focal point for a specific geographical region; and serve as GWA team focal point for specific themes and campaigns. As the incumbent will be based in New York, a understanding of the US market and media/digital landscape is key alongside ensuring activities support global objectives.  They will be expected to bring a strong knowledge of the US and global talent landscape, possess good contacts and networks, especially with more diverse networks.
Recruiting and strategically managing relationships with supporters is the core of our work.  However, building and managing multiple internal and external stakeholder relationships is also critical to the success of the GWA team.  The team works with a broad range of global and market-specific stakeholders across the organization as multiple teams seek GWA support for their specific projects and initiatives; the team supports individual offices and markets in the development of national and local celebrity support; and, additionally, the team regularly works to build and strengthen relationships with external stakeholders in the fields of entertainment, media and digital as well as partner NGOs and agencies.   The incumbent will be required to proactively build collaborative and trusting relationships at all levels, with multiple global teams including those within communications, private sector partnerships and protection as well as with colleagues in the Bureaux and field offices. The incumbent will also be expected to broaden and strengthen our network of relationships with external stakeholders, noting the importance of aligning internally before any external outreach is undertaken.
To perform this role, the incumbent must demonstrate experience in the strategic and successful management of A-list celebrity relationships; experience working with talent representatives in the entertainment community; and experience working with global strategies that support communications, fundraising and advocacy objectives. It will be essential for the incumbent to manage a high volume of work with excellent time-management, prioritization, judgment and diplomacy skills.  Excellent external engagement and presentation skills are required to develop relationships built on trust with multiple actors, as well as strong analytical skills, awareness of organizational and political sensitivities, knowledge of UNHCR, and good coordination and organizational skills are also essential.  Due to the confidential and/or politically sensitive nature of our work, absolute discretion is required at all times.

Duties and responsibilities
Accountability

¿ Support the strategic development and continued growth of UNHCR¿s Goodwill Ambassador Programme by recruiting new active and reputable Global Goodwill Ambassadors, high profile supporters, refugee advocates and influencers with a special focus on building diversity within the programme at the global level.  New supporters must represent UNHCR¿s values and have the capacity and influence to support UNHCR¿s strategic priorities.

¿ Steward and manage existing Goodwill Ambassadors, high profile supporters, and influencers, as directed, with the aim of building their knowledge and credibility; deepening their engagement; and delivering the greatest impact possible for the forcibly displaced and UNHCR  (specific existing supporters to be discussed and agreed).

¿ Ensure all supporter activities are aligned to UNHCR¿s global, regional and/or national strategic priorities with the aim of delivering tangible, measurable support.  Global priorities to include awareness, fundraising, advocacy, and public engagement.  Specific initiatives to include, among others, World Refugee Day, emergencies, thematic campaigns such as climate, winterization appeals and the Nansen Refugee Award.

¿ Ensure knowledge and understanding of UNHCR values, Code of Conduct, Global Communications ethical guidelines, GWA Guidelines and Toolkit; and ensure day to day work as well as recruitment/stewardship of supporters and supporter activities are carried out in accordance with the same.

¿ Provide guidance and support to regional and national GWA/HPS/influencer focal points on GWA guidelines, recruitment, stewardship, strategy and risk management issues as required.

Responsibility
Working to the overall Goodwill Ambassador Programme strategy, the Goodwill Ambassador Relations Officer will assist in the following:
¿ Relationship management:  develop annual plans, coordinate the day-to-day activities and maintain records of activities for a number of existing high profile supporters, as directed, in support of key organizational objectives related to advocacy, fundraising, awareness and public engagement;

¿ To research, prospect and recruit diverse new celebrity supporters, refugee advocates and influencers in full consultation with the GWA team, relevant Bureaux and regional or national offices, as required and agreed with supervisor;

¿ To help coordinate the development and execution of a strategy to build diversity within the GWA programme at the global level;

¿ To support in pitching, developing and leveraging creative partnerships, including media, social media and corporate partnerships, in collaboration with relevant internal stakeholders, through engagement of supporters;

¿ Ensure GWA activities and outputs are aligned with the GWA Strategy, taking note of organisational priorities and in consultation with key internal stakeholders; develop a concept note/strategy for each activity.

¿ To lead on specified field missions with supporters, ensuring clear objectives and outputs are discussed and agreed among relevant teams/stakeholders; and ensuring outputs are delivered, including communications outputs across different platforms (ie social media, media, audio and film).

¿ To support Senior External Relations Officers (GWA) in delivering celebrity support for specific fundraising and communications campaigns, including emergency campaigns and digital initiatives.

¿ To support on specific key media and communications moments, including drafting key messages, , briefing supporters for interviews, speech writing, captions, quotes, and scripting films for social. 

¿ Ensure key messages and talking points for each activity are in line with organisational messages and duly signed off;

¿ Ensure GWA and HPS relationships take due regard of reputational risk and that risk are mitigated accordingly. 

¿ In consultation with Fundraising and Communications colleagues, liaise with UNHCR national partners on how GWA support can leverage their activities and outcomes in key markets, ensuring effective integrated working.

¿ Ensure GWAs are briefed on organisational priorities and key campaigns.  Liaise with Bureaux and Offices as necessary to ensure GWA understand sensitive topics and what is expected of them in this regard.

¿ To help monitor and evaluate the impact and ROI of supporter engagement with the aim of understanding what worked well and what could be improved moving forward.

¿ With guidance from supervisor, to provide advice and support to staff acting as focal points to regional/national GWA/HPS, in line with official GWA Guidelines and best practice Toolkit and to oversee annual reporting of their activities.
Authority
In consultation with the Head of Section, senior officers and other stakeholders, make decisions regarding the prospecting, recruitment, management and stewardship of GWA relationships. 

¿ Exercise judgement about GWA nominations and seek sign off from senior officers.

¿ Exercise judgement and make recommendations about priority requests to GWA, given their limited availability and the high number of requests received, noting organisational priorities as well as GWA skills and interests.

¿ Make informed and intuitive decisions regarding risk and risk mitigation, in consultation with stakeholders.

¿ Guide the focus of individual GWA work (where the s/m manages the GWA relationship) to ensure it aligns with organisational priorities and supports key campaigns, events and initiatives, and addresses key audiences.

¿ Guide the monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting on individual GWA activities, including KPIs and application of metrics where possible

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required
Education
¿ University degree - BA / BSc

Work Experience
¿ Minimum 5 years of relevant (international) job experience with graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s), 6 years with undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) work experience including:
¿ Celebrity recruitment and management, including in the United States, and in a cause-related environment; demonstrating diversity and representation in work to date
¿ Managing celebrity projects with multi-media components including broadcast, print, film, photographic, digital (social media);
¿ Handling celebrity related communications plans and outputs, including in the United States;
¿ Project managing celebrity events;
¿ Working with celebrity agents, publicists and managers, including in the United States, to reach mutually agreed   outcomes. This may include experience working in the music or sports industries, as well as other arts based industries.
¿   Experience of international development, including hosting VIPs on visits including   field  visits is desirable.

Required skills & Competencies
¿ Demonstrated ability to steward high profile relationships to achieve outcomes
¿ Demonstrated ability to deliver communications and fundraising goals via celebrity support, including in the United States and the Americas;
¿ Strong project management skills
¿ Knowledge of fundraising techniques
¿ Innovation and creativity
¿ Client & Result Orientation
¿ Strong communication skills, including writing, speaking, and social media
¿ Strong interpersonal skills
¿ Technological literacy and ability to apply celebrity support via digital engagement techniques
¿ Respect for Diversity: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people in a multi- cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
¿ Teamworking and collaboration: Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with international team  members & external partners
¿ Languages required: fluency in written and spoken English
¿ Languages desirable: fluency in written and spoken French, Spanish or another UN language

Location
The successful candidate will be based in New York, USA

Conditions
¿ The Temporary Appointment is for six months and the expected start date is 01 March, 2022. There is a possibility to consider extension.  It is a full-time role with working hours starting from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday (40 hours per week). 

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. 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).

Please note that we are unfortunately unable to notify applicants who have not been selected for interview. Please note that the closing date for this TA advertisement is Tuesday 8 February 2022 (midnight Geneva time).