Assc External Relations Officer
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. – 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. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) 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
− High degree of experience and proven capacity in inter-agency coordination; well acquainted with humanitarian and development operations including partnership management, communication, public relations and resource mobilization in complex emergencies involving refugees and IDPs.
− Demonstrated skills in content production and management, incl. developing and effectively disseminating high-quality corporate communication materials and social media content (operational updates, donor mission briefs, donor reports, high level talking points)
− Demonstrated experience in organizing high-level multi-stakeholder missions
− Demonstrated organizational skills, incl. effectively communicating and facilitating coordinating with multiple stakeholders
− Experience in coordinating with Regional and HQ External Relations teams in documenting human impact stories and lessons learned desirable
− Experience in working with International Financial Institutions and private sector partners desirable
− Excellent command of English language
− Field experience with forcibly displaced persons, refugees and IDPs
− UNHCR experience in E/ hardship duty stations
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
Desired languages
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Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Very remote and isolated dury station with very hot climate.
Nature of Position:
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub Office, the incumbent will work closely with relevant functional units and provide dedicated support to refugee and IDP response in the southeastern Somali Region of Ethiopia. The UNHCR operation in Melkadida is managing a complex protracted humanitarian response amidst a severe ongoing drought emergency that is complicating the displacement context in both the country of asylum (Ethiopia) and origin (Somalia). Due to insecurity, often compounded by famine and climatic shocks in Somalia, over 205,000 refugees fled Somalia to Ethiopia and are currently hosted in five refugee camps in the Dollo Ado and Bokolmayo districts (Melkadida; Kobe; Bokolmayo; Buramino; Helaweyn). The Sub-office also responds to an internal displacement situation with over 648,000 individuals internally displaced across the Area of Operation due to drought, intercommunal conflict and the threat of Al-Shabaab.
Overall, while providing life-saving emergency response support under the internal Level-II emergency for the drought response in the Horn of Africa, UNHCR prioritizes sustainable and results-oriented approaches that seek to strengthen protection by promoting equitable and inclusive socio-economic development opportunities for refugees, other forcibly displaced persons and host communities. Ethiopia is home to second largest refugee population in Africa and currently hosts over 920,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers from South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea and Yemen. The refugee population covered by Sub-Office Melkadida is from Somalia and the second biggest refugee situation in the country. The operation works through a broad array of partnerships. Engagements comprise humanitarian, development and private sector actors; currently pioneering transformative and market-based approaches aimed at building sustainable value chains in the remote refugee hosting area. The Associate External Relations Officer will support strategic communications, public information, partnership management, donor relations and reporting, including on the multi-year IKEA Foundation financing. The incumbent is therefore expected to provide high-quality partnership management and strategic communications support.
Living and Working Conditions:
Accommodation will be provided by the Sub-Office Melkadida with a monthly rental charge of about $582. All staff living in the UNHCR provided accommodation must pay their accommodation in accordance with the UNHCR Policy of UNHCR Provided Accommodation in the Field issued under the IOM/FOM 020/021/2012 dated 28 Feb 2012 as well as the Administrative Instruction on the Measures in Support of Personnel in High-Risk Duty Station (Non-Family Duty Stations Where Danger Pay Applied), UNHCR/AI/2018/11 dated 15 August 2018.
Most accommodations are fully furnished, with a single room and living room with an open kitchen. They include their own duvet bed and bed sheet, private bathrooms, desk, AC, lamp and closet. WIFI is available across the compound and in most of the apartments a private residential WIFI. Transportation in and out of Melkadida is usually by UNHAS flights directly to Addis. Due to road insecurity, road travel to Addis is not advised as it takes two days. Only under unavoidable circumstances is it authorized.
Given the remote nature of the duty station, there are very few items that can be purchased in Melkadida, particularly food items and other personal items that staff may need. It is therefore advised that you bring such items with you. Food provision in the area is limited, with very few vegetables, it is advisable to carry your own food/ food supplements. Cleaning services take place from Monday to Friday.
A laundry room in the compound is available from 7:30 am until 6pm with a laundry attendant who cleans only UNHCR beddings. All staff are advised to do their own laundry or pay a cleaner for the service. There are 2 canteens available within the compound, Canteen A and Canteen B and all personnel are required to pay for their meals in advance. There are a variety of recreational facilities within the compound, these include a fitness center (gym) games ground (volleyball and basketball) and a relaxation center.
According to the UN Security Level System, which ranks security levels from 1 (minimum risk) to 6 (very high risk), Melkadida is classified as Moderate Level 3. UN Somali Region Minimum Operating Security Standards require a curfew for UN staff from 5pm (for vehicles) and 7pm (on foot), except in the case of emergency. Security Briefing is mandatory upon arrival. The weather condition is hot throughout the year.
Skills
Additional Qualifications
CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Public Information, CO-Reporting skills, ER-Stakeholder engagement, External Relations, Mission Management Education BA: Communication (Required),
BA: International Relations (Required), BA: Journalism (Required), BA: Political Science (Required), BA: Social Science (Required)
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
Addendum 1 to the Bi-annual Compendium 2022 – Part B
Functional clearance
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance