Associate External Relations Officer

Hardship Level

E (most hardship)

Family Type

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable)

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

Grade

PR2

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

• Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.

In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2024-01-01

Job Posting End Date

December 21, 2023

Standard Job Description

Associate External Relations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

Direct supervision is normally exercised by a (Snr) External Relations Officer or Representative who provides guidance on the applicable procedures. Advice may also be provided by relevant functional units at HQ. External contacts are with a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including inter alia, government, media, embassies, donors, UN agencies, NGOs and other national and international organizations, as well as 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

• Stay abreast of 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 the implementation of a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR¿s operations from external partners (e.g. the general public, governments, partners, media, academia, NGOs, private sector and persons of concern).
• Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide relevant information on UNHCR operations and financial requirements by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and missions and responding to donors¿ requests for information on ad hoc basis.
• Through a consultative process with headquarters, disseminate information on UNHCR¿s global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement programmes and projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for persons of concern in the country operation.
• Assist in the coordination of the drafting of, situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
• Draft narrative and financial reports on contributions in compliance with specific donor requirements.
• Monitor earmarking level of funding for UNHCR Country operation and ensure appropriate visibility for donor contributions in compliance with UNHCR guidelines and specific donor requirements.
• Participate on behalf of the Representative and other supervisors in 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.
• Consolidate information on UNHCR¿s country operations and identify appropriate messages for campaigns and appeals.
• Propose events and initiatives (e.g. commercial, cultural, political and sports) to promote the work of UNHCR and take action as appropriate.
• Support the management of media relations by, inter alia, responding to direct queries, publishing press releases, handling interview requests and organizing regular briefings and visits to country operations.
• Promote visibility of UNHCR¿s work and advocate for support for the people of concern through providing inputs for social media and other web content.
• Organize missions to the field and press briefings for external parties as required.
• Implement all aspects of a communications strategy.
• Represent UNHCR on behalf of senior management in fundraising and communication priorities in inter-agency initiatives and fora.
• 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 P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism, Communications

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Experience in humanitarian operations in a field environment.

Excellent knowledge of local institution, politics and culture.

Desirable

Fund-raising and programming/programme management experience.

Experience of working with social media.

Functional Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation

PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)

PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)

IT-Computer Literacy

IT-Web Content Management

(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

The ideal candidate should have over 5 years professional experience in public relations, external relations, or donor relations in a large and busy humanitarian organization. Experience and knowledge in the same fields gained from UNHCR, as well as previous service and familiarity with a high-risk/hardship duty station and an emergency setting is essential. The position also demands a solid understanding of International Protection and ability to manage complex partnerships with different stakeholders, and a good understanding of key programmatic and operational strategic issues with development actors. Possession of excellent coordination, negotiation, and communication skills, a pro-active mature attitude with ability to address complex and dynamic situations as well as remain calm under stressful environments is desirable. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position

UNHCR Representation in Somalia has three Sub-Offices (Mogadishu, Hargeisa and Galkayo), one Field Office in Bossaso, and six Field Units in Garowe, Barbera, Kismayo, Baidoa, Dhobley and Dollow.

The Associate External Relations Officer will be based in Mogadishu, working under the supervision of the UNHCR Country Representative in the management of media, external communication, and messaging for the operation. He/She shall provide direct supervision to national Staff in the unit, namely the External Relations Associate and Senior Reporting Assistant for whom he/she shall provide direct technical guidance and functional supervision.

Living and Working Conditions

The security situation in Mogadishu is well-known for being volatile and unpredictable. The incumbent should therefore have experience in working in stressful conditions, have sound security awareness, and be sensitive to social, cultural and religious norms.

UNHCR Mogadishu has its own accommodation and Office compound within the AMISOM protected area. There are several restaurants and shops within the protected area that staff can find different food and non-food items. There is no banking service but there are several ATM machines within the protected area where staff can withdraw up to 500USD at a time with Visa cards. USD is also commonly used locally in cash during shopping. There is a PX shop within AAIA AMISOM protected area, where basic food, beverage and clothes stuff can be bought. UNSOS has level II hospital in the compound accessible to UN staff on a cost recovery basis through the Office. For recreational activities, the accommodations as well as UNSOS compound have gym & sport facility that are accessible to UN staff and residents. Also, international staff can walk around certain unrestricted perimeter of the UN compound such the seaside etc. Mogadishu airport called Adan Abdullahi International Airport located within the AMISOM protected area within few minutes’ drive away from the accommodation. There is reliable telephone and internet service in the compound.

Staff members are provided radio equipment, mobile sim card, laptop and PPE on arrival. Mogadishu is a high-risk non-family E-duty station with 4 weeks R&R cycle. Field missions by international staff requires security escort within a very limited radius of the Town and must be planned in advance in close cooperation with Security Officer.

Staff are required to complete all mandatory trainings including BSAFE before travel, as well as SSAFE is feasible. There is daily UN Flight from Mogadishu to Nairobi. Additionally, there are few airlines with a daily flight from Mogadishu to Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Istanbul.

Skills

Additional Qualifications

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Communication, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Journalism, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science

Certifications

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Innovation & creativity, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 – Part B

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance