Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position
Hardship LevelC
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradePR2
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
* Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff memberโs country of nationality.
In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2024-07-01
Job Posting End DateNovember 28, 2023
Standard 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 UNHCRยฟs 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 UNHCRยฟs 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 donorsยฟ requests for information on ad hoc basis.
- Through a consultative process with headquarters, disseminate information on UNHCRยฟs 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 UNHCRยฟs 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 UNHCRยฟs 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.
- 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 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.
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 The position falls under the direct supervision of the Representative, who will give regular guidance and advice to the incumbent. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff. However, the incumbent should be able to work under minimum supervision, be proactive, creative and innovative and have solid interpersonal and leadership skills. The position requires frequent contacts at various levels with colleagues within UNHCR (Headquarters and the Regional Bureau) to obtain and provide information related to political and humanitarian priorities in the geographical areas assigned and with respect to overall funding possibilities and procedures. Strong communication and coordination skills are needed because the position also entails the management of the operationโs public information activities. Externally, the position requires frequent and substantive contacts at various levels with donors and counterparts within the public and private sectors, and regionally to provide information on UNHCR's priorities and activities in the field and to obtain information on priorities, actions and funding possibilities and procedures. External contacts are predominantly with a broad range of officials from national and international institutions, partners, media, embassies and the general public, involving the exchange of a wide range of information, including strategic engagement with external partners, to support resource mobilisation and partnership development in line with UNHCR operational priorities in the country. The incumbent's abilities to navigate with multiple stakeholders and the donor network will prove useful in designing appropriate responses for the people we serve. Proven experience in communications, public information, donor liaison, project proposal development, concept notes and reporting would be needed. Working experience within UNHCR funding mechanisms and collaboration with relevant divisions like DER/DRRM and PSP, combined with experience in managing social media, and working in an inter-agency environment, especially in a complex emergency setting, would also be essential.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): Spanish
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Nature of Position
The UNHCR Representation in Venezuela has its Country Office and a Field Unit in Caracas, four Field Offices, of which three are located on the border with Colombia (Guasdualito, Maracaibo and San Cristobal) and one in the east of the country (Ciudad Guyana), one Field Unit in Santa Elena de Uairen (Bolivar state), which covers the borders with Brazil, Guyana and the Caribbean, and another in Puerto Ayacucho (Amazonas), on the border with Colombia. The overall context in Venezuela remains challenging, with operations assisting refugees and asylum seekers, as well as the Venezuelan population affected by the humanitarian situation, including persons on the move, returnees and those displaced internally. Several indicators point to an increase in the number of returns and acute protection needs specifically affecting returnees, a trend that is expected to continue during the following months and possibly years. Venezuela has been facing for years a political, social and economic crisis that has resulted in inflation, shortages of food, medicine and basic supplies, the deterioration of health, education and basic infrastructure and services such as water, electricity, transport and waste management, severely affecting most of the countryโs estimated population of 30 million. A drastic reduction in production capacities in the agricultural, pharmaceutical and other sectors has impacted negatively on the supply of basic goods, increasing the protection risks the population is exposed to. In 2019, the UN launched a Humanitarian Response Plan to attend to the needs of the most vulnerable populations in the country and in late 2022 a Cooperation Framework was signed by the UN and the government to support efforts towards the progress of Sustainable Development Goals in Venezuela.
The position falls under the direct supervision of the Representative, who will give regular guidance and advice to the incumbent. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff.
The position requires frequent contacts at various levels with colleagues within UNHCR (Headquarters and the Regional Bureau) to obtain and provide information related to political and humanitarian priorities in the geographical areas assigned and with respect to overall funding possibilities and procedures.
The position also entails the management of the operationโs public information activities. Externally, the position requires frequent and substantive contacts at various levels with donors and counterparts within the public and private sectors, and regionally to provide information on UNHCR's priorities and activities in the field and to obtain information on priorities, actions and funding possibilities and procedures.
External contacts are predominantly with a broad range of officials from national and international institutions, partners, media, embassies and the general public, involving the exchange of a wide range of information, including strategic engagement with external partners, to support resource mobilization and partnership development in line with UNHCR operational priorities in the country. The incumbent's abilities to navigate with multiple stakeholders and the donor network will prove useful in designing appropriate responses for the people we serve.
Living and Working Conditions:
Caracas is Family duty station classified as C. Sports activities are recommended in sport facilities and not in the public parks. Health facilities are available locally, including private health care clinics that provide specialized assistance to UN staff and dependents. Not all medicaments are readily available. Outbreaks of malaria and dengue can occur during the rainy season. Education and international schools are available in Spanish/English/French. Staff generally rely on debit and credit cards, but restrictions have been lifted on the use of the dollar and euro in cash. International staff live in hotels and rented accommodations mostly concentrated in the affluent and relatively secure eastern municipality of Chacao. Nonetheless, security awareness is always necessary, as the criminal threat in some parts of the city can be substantial. Staff are advised not to go out after dark without reliable transportation. The sensitive political context could make certain nationalities be perceived as unfriendly towards the Government.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Communication, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Journalism, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, 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 Add. 1 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 - Part B
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance