External Relations Specialist

Volunteering Communications & PR

Overview

Support UNHCR's outreach and external relations activities in Bangladesh.

You have:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in external relations, communication, or a related field.
• Experience in preparing donor reports and communication materials.
• Strong communication skills in English, knowledge of Bengali is an advantage.
• Familiarity with humanitarian principles and practices.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and build relationships with various stakeholders.
• Commitment to continuous learning and volunteerism.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Seven years since over 700,000 Rohingya from Myanmar fled to Bangladesh, nearly one million Rohingya refugees live in Bangladesh, mostly in Cox’s Bazar, in the world’s largest refugee settlement, and some 35,000 on the island of Bhasan Char. As the humanitarian condition in camps worsens, this crisis officially became a protracted situation, facing steep decline in funds and forcing humanitarian actors to focus on the most critical and life-saving needs.

In a context of strategic advocacy towards donors, civil society, media and academia, the External Relations Specialist will be part of the Dhaka-based External Relations team, which works closely other members of the team in Cox’s Bazar, and in close coordination with the Communication team in both locations.

The incumbent is expected to work on and assist in various external relations activities, including preparing communication and outreach materials for external audiences, as well donor reports or funding briefs. The incumbent will plan and organize activities to increase UNHCR’s outreach capacity, engage with a range of external stakeholders and entities to present UNHCR’s work.

While based in Dhaka, s/he is expected to regularly travel to Cox’s Bazar, to support and coordinate with relevant actors for potential donor visits, high-visibility or important missions.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior External Relations Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Keep abreast all developments in operations to prepare appropriate briefings and reports. Prepare periodic reports, i.e., donor updates, internal sitreps, briefing notes for senior managers, and activity-specific reports as required. • Support in developing and maintaining relationship with donors and key stakeholders, preparing funding submissions for donors and any required after-action reports. • Contribute to developing and maintaining working relationships with the government, NGOs, and UN agencies to ensure cooperation in inter-related activities. • Support UNHCR in its coordinating role by preparing and distributing minutes, assisting in the organization of meetings; occasionally chairing meetings, and serving as the general secretariat for the relevant Cluster. • Support the senior management in preparation for meetings and missions, drafting of talking points. • Support the team in organizing and accompanying missions for VIP visitors, delegates to visit refugee sites or the activities of UNHCR implementing partners. • Support the Public Information (PI) team in country, notably by contributing to press events, interviews, PI missions and other activities related to information dissemination to the general public to promote UNHCR activities.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Creativity • Integrity • Planning and Organizing • Respect for Diversity • Working in Teams

• External relations
• Reporting
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;

The position is based in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, which is the centre of national government, trade and culture and home to over 15 million people, making it the fourth most densely population city in the world.

Bangladesh has a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by wide seasonal variations in rainfall, high temperatures and humidity. There are three distinct seasons: a hot humid summer from March to June; a cool, rainy monsoon season from June to October; and a cool dry winter from October to March. Air quality is poor, particularly during the dry season. Dhaka is a Category C duty season with a 3-year Standard Assignment Length. It is a family duty station, and educational facilities from primary to secondary school are available. There are some private hospitals in Dhaka that can provide basic care. Vaccination against the Japanese Encephalitis virus is strongly recommended. Leisure and recreational facilities are available.

UNDSS-cleared hotels are available, with the rates differing depending upon availability and the season. MOSS compliant apartments are available. UNDSS recommends that international staff members reside in the diplomatic area of Dhaka, where the UNHCR office is located.

Dhaka has many restaurants, grocery stores and an excellent bakery. Home delivery services are available. Banks and ATM machines are available, and major credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops. Foreign currency can be exchanged easily.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 months ago - Updated 1 month ago - Source: unv.org