Associate External Relations Officer

Job Description

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.

Operational Context

Direct supervision is normally exercised by the 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.

In line with UNHCR Nepal’s Operational Multi Year Strategy, the Associate External Relations Officer will be expected to carry out standard external relations responsibilities, including increasing support to the Representative in maintaining partnerships, including the UN inter-agency processes and communications portfolio.

S/he will support the offices advocacy efforts focusing on the inclusion of persons of concern to UNHCR in UN and National Development planning, coordination, analysis of humanitarian and development responses. Drafting correspondence, documents and reports, guidance notes, background information for meetings and workshops will be required. S/he will also support that adequate contingencies and preparedness for emergencies / scenarios are in place and engage in crisis communication if/where necessary.

The Associate External Relations Officer is expected to monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCR’s messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications in line with UNHCR’s Global/ regional communications objectives and with a sound understanding of the local context and geopolitical setting. S/he is required to forge strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations who can help produce and promote UNHCR content, activities and messaging as well as provide research insights in order to improve communications; promote the work of engaged businesses and civil society actors.

Consequently, it is essential that the Associate External Relations Officer has excellent oral and written communications skills in both English and Nepali. This includes research, fact-checking, drafting, editing, producing professional media and communications materials while working in conjunction with the UNHCR team and relevant focal points, securing clearances as well as public speaking.

To do this, s/he requires a good grasp of UNHCR’s mandate and strategic objectives, paying close attention to protection concerns of refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR and cognisant of social and political sensitivities. Excellent planning, organizing, time and stakeholder management will be essential in this role. Given the maturity of judgement required, a post graduate qualification / professional degree and written publications are desirable.

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.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualification & Experience

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.

(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified.

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

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

• FR-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)
• PG-Programme Management (project formulation, programme cycles and reporting standards)
• MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
• IT-Web Content Management
• IT-Computer Literacy
• MS-Translation
• ER-Communications/media/digital/social media communication. monitoring/analysis/presentation

(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.

1. Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Communication
• Organizational Awareness
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

• Empowering and Building Trust
• Managing Performance
• Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Innovation and Creativity
• Political Awareness

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.

Eligibility:

Candidates must be Nepali nationals.

Internal staff members should consult the Policy and Procedures on Assignments of Locally recruited Staff (RALS). If you have questions regarding eligibility, you may also contact the HR Unit.

Remuneration:

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at: http://icsc.un.org

How to Apply

Submission of Applications:

If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please submit the application letter along with duly filled signed Personal History Form by e-mail to NEPKA@UNHCR.ORG, clearly stating: the position title, vacancy notice number and your Last Name in the subject line, by the closing date 2nd December 2021, 24:00.

The Personal History Form and its supplementary sheet can be downloaded from: https://www.unhcr.or.th/sites/default/files/u11/P11_UNHCR.docm  and https://www.unhcr.or.th/sites/default/files/u11/P11SUP_UNHCR.docm

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be required to sit for a written test and, only those who pass with 60% of the total score will be invited for the oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing or any other fees).

UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.