External Relations Associate

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Since 24 February 2022, the Government of Bulgaria granted Temporary Protection to more than 170,000 persons refugees displaced from Ukraine, of whom some 53,000 remain in the country as of 1 January 2024. Several thousand refugees from Ukraine are hosted under the state sponsored accommodation programme, including hotels and state recreational facilities located predominantly at the Black Sea regions and other locations throughout the country. UNHCR as a refugee-led organization supports the Government of Bulgaria in providing response to the Ukrainian refugee situation and ensuring protection and inclusion space is provided to them. UNHCR conducts various types of assessments among the refugees from Ukraine to assess their needs, capacities and coping mechanisms and identify those with specific needs to ensure their access to specialized services. Some of these activities are implemented directly by the Agency, with others implemented through partner agencies or service providers.

The External Relations Associate will support the UNHCR External Relations Unit in Bulgaria to implement robust resource mobilization and communications strategies to lead the narrative, generate empathy, and mobilize action for forcibly displaced and stateless people, and to inform, engage, and mobilize donor support.

He/She will be primarily be based in Sofia, but can undertake field missions together with other UNHCR staff or independently to accompany UNHCR, donor missions, partners, and to support the implementation of a resource mobilization strategy and coordinate communications priorities.

The main tasks and responsibilities of the External Relations Associate will support the UNHCR Bulgaria External Relations Unit under the supervision of the Head of Unit to: - Draft and translate routine correspondence and texts, operational updates, fact sheets, briefing notes and briefing packs, and other public information materials, as required - Provide technical, logistical, programming and procurement support to the External Relations Unit - Assist in the compilation of weekly, monthly, annual/quarterly thematic reports, situations reports, etc. - Draft, coordinate, and support the development of project and funding proposals to donors - Facilitate visits and missions, including internal and external donor missions - Assist with developing strategies and workplans and in the implementation of UNHCR’s external relations priorities - Coordinate on brand correct visibility and ensuring appropriate donor visibility - Organize visibility events and liaise with partners, refugees, and local communities on implementation. - Provide information on UNHCR’s activities to external partners. - Perform other related duties as required.

•Professionalism •Integrity •Teamwork and respect for diversity •Commitment to continuous learning •Planning and organizing •Communication •Flexibility •Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the fields of Communications, Journalism, Social Sciences, Humanities, or related fields is an advantage. •Experience with handling confidential data and demonstrated understanding of different data collection methodologies. •Excellent communication and interviewing skills and ability to communicate patiently and respectfully with a broad range of individuals including persons with specific needs. •Excellent drafting skills in English and Bulgarian. •Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competency, problem solving abilities. •Good listening and observation skills to understand and obtain information. •Good data analysis and management skills. •Good ICT skills and digital literacy.
•Candidate must have a valid work permit in Bulgaria. •Fluency in Arabic, Russian/Ukrainian, Farsi/Pashto or French is an advantage. •Bachelor degree or higher is an advantage.

This assignment requires full-time engagement (8 hours/5 days per week).

The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment, and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service.

Monthly Living Allowance (per month): appx. BGN 2202 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400

Medical and life insurance: • Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible dependents will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage. Coverage for UN Volunteers begins from the Commencement of Service and normally ceases one month after the last day of the UN Volunteer Contract date. • Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum.

Leave entitlements: • Annual leave:  UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment. • Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period. • Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle. • Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.

The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos

Note: "Non-UN Volunteer job opportunity shall be offered by UNHCR to any UN Volunteer during the first year of a UN Volunteer's assignment with UNHCR. UN Volunteers assigned to serve with UNHCR shall document their consent with this understanding as part of the UNHCR Undertaking".