External Relations Assistant - UNOPS LICA-4

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA4

Target Start Date2024-08-19

Job Posting End DateAugust 18, 2024

Terms of ReferenceIMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• This position is advertised to internal and external applicants. Candidates must be legally present in México at the time of application, recruitment, and hire. Only Mexicans or candidates holding a permanent residency or valid work permit in México will be considered eligible.

• Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern, is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of contract type and duration. The selected candidate(s) will be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to recruitment.

• Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

• Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might/could include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

• UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).

• This position is offered under UNOPS Local ICA contract until 31/12/2024 with possibility of extension.

• Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations. UNHCR also offers comprehensive medical insurance and pension plans.

1. General Background
(Brief description of the national, sector-specific or other relevant context in which the individual contractor will operate)

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

Mexico is a transit country and has also become a destination country for a growing number of refugees, a trend that is expected to continue given the complex context of human mobility in the region. In 2023 more than 140,000 asylum claims were made in Mexico, a record number and steady increase when compared to previous years. UNHCR is committed to supporting the government of Mexico to strengthen its capacity to ensure that people in need of international protection can access the territory.

The External Engagement team in Country Office Mexico City (COMEX) is responsible for managing and coordinating UNHCR’s relationships with external counterparts, including UN Agencies, donors, government, and the media. Interagency coordination is at the heart of this team’s efforts, especially in terms of ensuring UNHCR’s full participation in UN working groups and amplifying our capacity to work with other agencies. Additionally, UNHCR and IOM are co-coordinators of the national platform of the R4V (Response for Venezuela), which in Mexico also includes 7 other UN and NGO partners. In 2024, the R4V platform will conduct a planning exercise, Refugees and Migrant Response Plan (RMRP) for the period 2025-2026, which will be publicly launched in December 2024. The RMRP will include a Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) - a comprehensive data collection exercise to assess and examine the specific needs of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Mexico.

The External Relations Assistant will be part of the External Engagement team. The External Relations Assistant normally functions under the direct supervision of the External Engagement or Reporting Officer or another professional staff depending on staffing structure of the Office. The incumbent assists in the management of external relations activities of the Office. Under the supervision of the manager, s/he provides support in organizing missions of UNHCR senior management, foreign delegations, donors, press and media by contributing to the drafting of briefings and reports/materials for external partners. S/he may also receive advice and operational support from the External Relations/Public Information Units at the Country Office /HQ. The External Relations Assistant will support in ensuring UNHCR’s presence in key events and for a by supporting the internal communication flow and confirmation process.

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.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
(Concise and detailed description of activities, tasks and responsibilities to be undertaken, including expected travel, if applicable)

• Stay abreast of any political and operational developments in the country.
• Support the drafting of the Weekly Highlights, talking points, briefing notes, bulletins, reports and prepare any other public information material, as required.
• Assist in the drafting, translation and sending of diplomatic correspondence and texts.
• Maintain updated email lists of all relevant counterparts of the diplomatic community, donors other UN agencies and government counterparts.
• Ensure that updated public information materials, including fact sheets, information brochures, briefing materials, etc. are available for high-level mission and meetings.
• Support the organization of events (e.g. Launch of the annual report) and liaise with partners, refugees and local communities on implementation.
• May be required to assist in compilation of weekly, monthly, annual/quarterly thematic reports, situations report etc.
• Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
(Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)

• Weekly/Bi-Weekly analysis/discussion of reports
• Application of UNHCR rules and regulations.

4. Qualifications and Experience
(List the required education, work experience, expertise and competencies of the individual contractor. The listed education and experience should correspond with the level at which the contract is offered.)

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

• Completed high school or its equivalent with certificate.
• Native Spanish speaker.
• Proven command of the spoken and written English language (Writing skills in Spanish and English)
• Essential: Good command of all Microsoft Programmes (Excel, Word, Outlook, Powerpoint), Canva and Klaviyo.
• Desirable: Training in International Relations, Journalism, Political Science, Law, Media, or other related area. Knowledge of another relevant UN language.

b. Work Experience
(List number of years and area of required work experience. Clearly distinguish between required experience and experience which could be an asset.)

• Minimum 1-year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1-year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
• Desirable: Previous experience working with UNHCR. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.

c. Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
TI-Interpretation
CO-Media monitoring and analysis
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

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

Cross-Functional Competencies
Technological Awareness
Political Awareness

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

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Desired Languages

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Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

Home-BasedNo