Hardship LevelH (no hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeGS6
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2024-11-01
Job Posting End DateAugust 24, 2024
Standard Job Description
External Relations Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The External Relations Associate is normally supervised by the External Relations Officer or another professional staff depending on the staffing structure of the Office. The incumbent receives regular guidance and advice from the supervisor. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units at the Country Office/HQ.
External contacts are generally with a broad range of officials from national and international institutions, media or general public involving the exchange of a wide range of information.
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
- Provide background briefings to local and international media.
- Keep track of evolving issues concerning persons of concern to be able to suggest stories and topics for the media to cover.
- Provide daily briefings on local developments to the Head of Office and ensure that briefing materials from other offices are available.
- Accompany visits of foreign delegations and the media to refugee sites in the region, giving appropriate briefings, commentaries and prepare briefing material for visitors.
- Establish contacts with local organisations to promote general interest and understanding of refugee issues
- Ensure that the office is kept informed of local developments which may have a political or operational impact on the office's activities.
- May be required to compile information and SitReps received from the Field Offices and/or sections within the Office and consolidate into weekly/monthly/quarterly report.
- Advise the Head of Office of local aspects of external relations policies.
- Liaise with external partners and local organizations on behalf of UNHCR.
- Produce reports and briefings for internal and external partners.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable
Certificates and/or Licenses
Political Sciences Social Sciences International Relations
Journalism Communication
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified
Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.
Functional Skills
IT-Web Content Management
CO-Drafting and Documentation
TI-Interpretation
IT-Computer Literacy
(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.
Desired Candidate Profile Language skills: German, French AND English are essential (German at mother tongue level)
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): English
,French
,German
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Under the supervision of the head of Office and in close cooperation and coordination with the Senior External Relations Associate, the External Relations Associate will work to enhance awareness of the work of UNHCR and the protection needs of refugees and persons of concern and to promote positive attitudes towards refugees and other persons of concern through work with the media as well as other external relations activities and events, and will support efforts to develop and disseminate messages in line with UNHCR's global and country objectives in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The External Relations Associate will also support UNHCR's fundraising activities and seek to multiply fundraising opportunities. To achieve this, the External Relations Associate will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with different partners including the asylum authorities, cultural institutions, civil society, media as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to these objectives.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCommunication, External Partners, External Relations, Languages, Media Writing, Social Media, Work Relationships
Education
CertificationsCommunication - Other, International Relations - Other, Journalism - Other, Political Science - Other, Social Sciences - Other
Work ExperienceWorking with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless
CompetenciesAnalytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Innovation & creativity, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional InformationEligible candidates may be requested to sit for a test.
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance