GradePR2
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
ReasonTemporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment
Hardship LevelB
Family TypeFamily<p></p><p></p>
Residential location (if applicable)
Target Start Date2024-10-15
Target End Date2025-10-13
Job Posting End DateAugust 30, 2024
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 Profile1. Desired candidate profile
General Professional Experience
The desired candidate has excellent knowledge of the local media, institutions, politics and culture. Fund-raising and programming/Programme management experience. Experience working with social media. S/he is expected to have regular contact with authorities and all relevant stakeholders.
Specific Professional Experience
โข At least two (2) years of direct working experience with an international agency/organisation, with practical experience from, and an understanding of, programs and processes.
โข The incumbent is expected to have fund-raising and humanitarian/development reporting experience as well as experience of working with social media.
โข S/he will be required to work collaboratively with relevant functional units.
Key Competencies of the Assignment
โข Proficiency in English and Korean (spoken and written)
โข Excellent communication skills including ability to communicate and disseminate information effectively to a broad background of stakeholders.
โข Excellent analytical skills, and good research capabilities as well as drafting.
โข Prior KOICA experience or exposure to UNHCR as an added asset.
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2. Operational context
Lebanon continues to host the highest number of refugees per capita and per square kilometre in the world. The Government of Lebanon estimates that there are 1.5 million displaced Syrians living in Lebanon in addition to some 11,200 refugees of other nationalities as well as asylum seekers. Refugees live across nearly all municipalities in Lebanon in both urban and rural areas, as well as in informal tented settlements. The 2023 Vulnerability Assessment for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon (VASyR) indicates that 9 out of 10 Syrian refugees continue relying on humanitarian assistance to survive.
Under the auspices of the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, UNHCR co-led the planning process to develop a new, integrated humanitarian and stabilization response framework in 2024. The new โLebanon Response Planโ (LRP) will seek to respond comprehensively to the impact of the multiple crises in Lebanon on both people and institutions in a holistic and integrated manner.
Compounding the refugee situation are the unprecedented economic and financial crises, further exacerbated by the hostilities in southern Lebanon since October 2023, that Lebanon is facing, which have contributed to a substantial deterioration of the socio-economic situation since 2019 and affected everyone, including refugees and Lebanese people.
Lebanon is currently amid an unprecedented combination of an economic and financial crisis, extensive unemployment, political instability, a deteriorating security situation and a negative rhetoric against Syrian refugees. On 31 October 2022 Lebanon officially entered an institutional vacuum in both the Presidency and Premiership. This has created a heightened tension environment that might evolve into politically motivated protests, intermittent skirmishes, and terrorist attacks in the coming period if the impasse continues to be prolonged. Subsequently, ongoing clashes along the Blue Line across Lebanon's southern border with a possible expansion of hostilities to other areas in the country, the current notable increase in crime rate, bank break-ins, prison breaks and smuggling of individuals by sea, are likely to continue in the light of the large proliferation of weapons, but also the limited capacity of security authorities given the financial crises. UN staff remain indirectly affected by crime and the overall deteriorating security situation.
Further deterioration of support services is affecting the overall living conditions across the country. The major challenge is the provision of reliable electricity supply across the country. Many of the residential buildings had installed generator-based backup systems, however, due to diesel shortages and increased fuel prices, electricity cuts are noticeable, between 6 to 20 hours a day. The cost of reliable electricity supply increased significantly and can be up to USD 1,000 per month. The shortage in medical supplies and the availability of medical specialists also need to be considered during the application process. Due to the collapse in the banking sector, many international staff are not using local banks for their finances and relying more on international bank accounts to make transfers or on transfers through financial service companies, or bringing larger amounts of USD in cash into the country.
UNHCR in Lebanon has over 500 staff across offices in Beirut and Zahle (classified by ICSC in July 2023 as โBโ family duty stations), as well in Tripoli, Qobayat, and Tyre (classified as category โCโ family duty stations). The current overall situation in the region is closely monitored and the applicants should be aware of overall developments in the security situation on the ground that may affect the classification of the duty stations.
The timely issuing of entry visas and residence permits has proven to be a challenge for UNHCR Lebanon, which may delay the staff member's assignment process, including their dependents. Even though personnel can visit Lebanon using the UNLP and will receive a 6-month visa upon arrival, such visas cannot be converted into residency permits to regularize the stay of international staff in Lebanon. It is imperative that staff arriving from abroad to take up an assignment in Lebanon has to secure an official visa to be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government entities (if needed). The process of obtaining approvals on official visas varies with the type of visa granted. In a normal situation, it takes between 15 and 30 working days (depending on the type of visa). As for the residency permit process for international staff members and their dependents, it can only be initiated after securing the official visa and entering Lebanon using it.
Functional ClearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)Korean
,English
,
Desired languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Web Content Management, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)
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
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