Deadline for ApplicationsFebruary 4, 2026
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA6
Target Start Date2026-02-15
Terms of ReferenceUNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full-time internship with the Registration Unit – Protection Section at UNHCR Algiers, Algeria
Established in December 1950, UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for asylum seekers, refugees, returnees, internally displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. UNHCR currently operates in over 130 countries, using its long expertise to protect and care for millions.
1. General Background:
Algeria is both a transit and destination country for refugees and asylum-seekers and hosts a diverse population of persons of concern originating mainly from Syria, Mali, the Central African Republic, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In parallel, Algeria has hosted Sahrawi refugees in the Tindouf camps for decades, where UNHCR works in a protracted refugee context characterized by chronic humanitarian needs, infrastructure constraints, climate-related challenges and persistent funding gaps.
The Sahrawi refugee response in Tindouf remains highly dependent on international assistance, with needs spanning protection, health, education, water and sanitation, food security and livelihoods. Ensuring sustained donor engagement, high-quality reporting and appropriate visibility is essential to maintain support for this long-standing operation and to highlight both needs and impact.
UNHCR operates from its office in Algiers and Tindouf. UNHCR coordinates closely with national authorities, UN agencies, donors, civil society partners and the private sector to deliver protection and assistance to refugees across the country, including oversight, coordination and reporting for the Tindouf operation and specifically the Sahrawi Refugee Response plan launched its second version in December 2025. In the absence of a national asylum system, UNHCR plays a central role in protection delivery, coordination, advocacy and resource mobilization.
External relations, donor engagement, fundraising, reporting and strategic communications are critical to sustaining UNHCR’s operations in Algeria, particularly in a context of competing global crises and declining humanitarian funding. Effective donor visibility, strong digital communications, accurate reporting on the Tindouf refugee response and consistent media monitoring are essential to maintain donor confidence, enhance public awareness and reflect the scale, complexity and impact of UNHCR’s work.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
Reporting to the Associate External Relations Officer and under the overall guidance of senior management, the External Relations Associate supports the implementation of UNHCR Algeria’s external relations, fundraising, donor visibility, communications and reporting strategy. The assignment places a strong emphasis on reporting and visibility related to the Sahrawi refugees in the Tindouf camps, while also covering UNHCR’s urban refugee response in Algeria.
The assignment is structured around three core pillars: donor visibility, communications and digital content, and media monitoring and knowledge sharing, complemented by a dedicated focus on reporting on the Tindouf refugee response and cross-cutting support to fundraising, partnerships and event organization.
3. Key responsibilities include:
a. Donor Visibility and Recognition:
• Support the systematic tracking of donor visibility opportunities, including donor national days, international days and other key milestones.
• Maintain and regularly update a donor visibility calendar in coordination with the External Relations team.
• Draft and schedule social media content (including tweets/posts) acknowledging donor support in line with visibility agreements and UNHCR branding guidelines.
• Design basic graphic materials for donor visibility, including visuals for social media, infographics and special campaign content.
• Liaise with programme, protection and sector colleagues to identify donor-funded activities suitable for visibility and communication.
b. Communications and Digital Content:
• Contribute to the planning, drafting and dissemination of content for UNHCR Algeria’s social media accounts, particularly Twitter/X, to reflect operational activities and protection work.
• Accompany protection and programme colleagues during field missions, events or key activities to ensure appropriate and accurate visibility of their work.
• Draft protection-sensitive and impact-oriented communication content, in close coordination with relevant units.
• Produce short videos, testimonies and visual stories highlighting UNHCR’s interventions and the impact of donor contributions.
• Support the development and management of additional, suitable social media or digital communication platforms, as required.
• Ensure compliance with ethical communication standards, informed consent procedures and UNHCR protection principles.
c. Media Monitoring, Coverage and Knowledge Sharing:
• Monitor national, regional and international media coverage related to refugees, asylum, UNHCR and humanitarian issues, with particular attention to coverage of the Sahrawi refugee situation and the Tindouf camps.
• Identify, analyze and compile relevant articles, media pieces and analytical content of interest to UNHCR staff and senior management.
• Prepare and disseminate periodic media digests, press reviews or curated article selections via email.
• Support the preparation of media coverage for UNHCR events, donor missions, field visits and high-level engagements, including drafting key messages and background notes.
• Assist in drafting human-interest stories, operational updates and short articles for internal and external use, ensuring accuracy, sensitivity and alignment with UNHCR messaging.
d. Dedicated Focus: Reporting on the Tindouf Refugee Response:
• Support the preparation of regular narrative reports, updates and visibility materials related to the Sahrawi refugee response in the Tindouf camps, in close coordination with programme, protection and sector colleagues.
• Contribute to donor reports, situation updates and briefing materials highlighting needs, response achievements, funding gaps and the impact of donor contributions in Tindouf.
• Collect, consolidate and present information from different sectors (WASH, education, health, food security, livelihoods and protection) to support coherent and compelling reporting.
• Assist in the drafting of fact sheets, one-pagers and PowerPoint presentations focused on the Tindouf refugee operation.
• Ensure that reporting reflects UNHCR standards, results-based language and protection-sensitive approaches.
e. Cross-Cutting Support:
• Support the Associate External Relations Officer in fundraising and partnership-related tasks, including background research and preparation of donor materials.
• Contribute to the drafting of internal and external documents, including briefing notes, concept notes and donor updates.
• Assist in the preparation of PowerPoint presentations for donors, partners and internal coordination.
• Provide organizational and logistical support for events, donor missions, briefings and official visits.
• Perform other related duties as required.
f. Monitoring and Progress Controls:
Performance will be monitored through qualitative and quantitative indicators aligned with UNHCR’s external relations, communications, reporting and fundraising priorities in Algeria, with a particular focus on the Tindouf refugee response.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
• Timely production of narrative reports, updates and visibility materials related to the Tindouf refugee operation.
• Number and quality of donor visibility actions implemented in line with agreed calendars and visibility plans.
• Regularity, reach and engagement of social media content reflecting UNHCR activities, including Tindouf-related content.
• Quality and relevance of graphic, audiovisual and written communication products.
• Timeliness and usefulness of media monitoring outputs and internal media digests.
• Contribution to donor reports, presentations, briefings and event organization.
Reporting Requirements:
• Regular activity and reporting updates submitted to the Associate External Relations Officer.
• Contributions to donor reports, situation updates and operational briefings, particularly related to the Tindouf refugee response.
• Participation in External Relations, inter-unit and communications coordination meetings.
• Documentation of good practices, challenges and lessons learned in reporting, donor visibility and communications.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
• Number and quality of donor visibility actions implemented in line with agreed calendars.
• Regularity and engagement of social media content reflecting UNHCR activities.
• Timely production of graphic and audiovisual communication materials.
• Quality and relevance of media monitoring outputs and internal media digests.
• Contribution to donor documents, presentations and event organization.
4. Qualifications and Experience:
a. Education
A university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent or higher) in communications, journalism, international relations, political science, public relations, marketing or a related field is highly desirable.
b. Work Experience
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience in external relations, communications, public information, reporting, fundraising support or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in digital communications and social media management, including content drafting and scheduling.
• Experience in donor visibility, reporting and preparation of communication materials for donors is required.
• Experience in drafting narrative reports, situation updates or operational briefings, preferably in a humanitarian or development context, is an asset.
• Previous experience working with UN agencies, international organizations or NGOs is an asset.
c. Key Competencies
• Strong understanding of UNHCR’s mandate, humanitarian principles and protection-sensitive communication.
• Excellent writing, editing and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex operational information into clear, donor- and public-facing content.
• Proven ability to draft engaging and accurate social media content aligned with institutional messaging.
• Graphic design and basic audiovisual production skills (photos, short videos, testimonies) are required.
• Strong organizational, coordination and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team environment.
• High level of discretion, confidentiality and ethical awareness in handling sensitive information.
• Fluency in English and French is required; knowledge of Arabic is an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with UNHCR branding, visibility guidelines and reporting tools is an asset.
5. Desired candidate profile:
The ideal candidate would have demonstrated experience in visual storytelling, including film making and graphic design, with the ability to produce high-quality content. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, with proven capacity to convey complex messages clearly and creatively. Fluency in English is mandatory. Proficiency in French and Arabic is highly desirable, and knowledge of additional languages will be considered an asset. The candidate should be able to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
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Other informationOnly shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a technical test and interviews. The test is complementary to the interviews.This position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo