External Relations Associate

Overview

Support External Relations team to draft reports and engage with media.

You have:

• 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
• Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position
• Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English
• Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism, Communication

Hardship Level

E (most hardship)Family Type

Non Family with Residential LocationFamily Type

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger PayResidential location (if applicable)

Nairobi (CO), KenyaGrade

GS6Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General ServiceReason

Regular > Regular AssignmentTarget Start Date

2025-07-01Deadline for Applications

July 7, 2025Standard 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

Nature of the Position:

The incumbent will be supervised by the Senior External Relations Officer or Officer in Charge and shall support the External Relations team to draft funding proposals and a diverse set of reports for internal and external audiences. The incumbent will also support Communications Officer to gather multi-media content, draft and issue social media products for UNHCR and donor visibility.

The incumbent will be required to establish and maintain working relationships with local journalists, regularly monitor local media, and share UNHCR and refugee-related stories with the External Relations team and Senior Management.

This position shall be based in the UNHCR Representation Office in Port Sudan, although the External Relations Unit is based in Nairobi, Kenya. As a result, the position involves a significant amount of remote work and coordination with multiple offices and colleagues across Sudan. The incumbent will also have regular communication and interaction with the Regional Bureau External Engagement based in Nairobi, Headquarters sections and will occaisionaly need to liaise with neighbouring countries' External Relations teams. Therefore resilience and patience is required. The incumbent of this position should have the ability to manage multiple responsibilities at once and to prioritise tasks in a fast-paced operation.

The ideal candidate should have a proven similar work experience and a good understanding of fundraising in humanitarian situations. An understanding of the work of UNHCR or other humanitarian organizations in Sudan is essential. Knowledge of UNHCR’s programmes and areas of intervention in Sudan is an added advantage. Experience of working with private sector donors and country-based pooled funds would be considered an asset as is the knowledge of programming/planning frameworks which support proposal development.

Desired Candidate Profile:

Due to the fast-paced nature of the position, the incumbent should demonstrate flexibility and adaptability and actively seek solutions. Good organizational skills, an excellent command of the English language, excellent drafting skills in English and Arabic and good knowledge of Microsoft packages are essential for this post.

The incumbent of this position should possess strong inter-personal and communication skills, have an interactive character and positive team spirit as s/he will be communicating with internal and external audiences on a regular basis.

S/he may be required to represent the agency during donor meetings and/or accompany visits of missions to the field, therefore s/he should be able to represent the agency in a professional manner and provide appropriate briefings for visitors.

Experience in communications and social media engagement are highly desirable.Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

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Desired languages

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Web Content Management, TI-InterpretationEducation

Certifications

Communication - Other, International Relations - Other, Journalism - Other, Political Science - Other, Social Sciences - OtherWork Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Innovation & creativity, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaborationUNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Candidate must be Sudanese nationality.Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unhcr.org