External Relations Associate

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)B

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA6

Target Start Date2025-07-01

Deadline for ApplicationsMay 27, 2025

Terms of ReferenceOperational Context

India currently hosts more than 261,000 refugees and asylum seekers. These include some 91,000 Sri Lankan refugees and 73,400 Tibetans directly assisted by the Government of India. There are 47,881 individuals registered under UNHCR’s mandate primarily from Afghanistan, Myanmar, and other countries. In addition, around 49,000 Myanmar nationals have sought refuge in the Northeast of India and live in a refugee-like situation. UNHCR works with the Government of India to offer protection and find solutions for refugees and asylum seekers.

As a result of reprioritization, UNHCR India is refocusing its efforts on three core objectives: mandate-critical protection and solutions work; lifesaving and emergency activities with a focus on the most vulnerable; and essential resource mobilization and advocacy for protection and inclusion.

With refugees and asylum seekers spread across 13 different locations across the country, UNHCR relies on its 8 NGO partners for support. It funds activities that complement or facilitate access to essential services and assist the most vulnerable people with humanitarian assistance. UNHCR also works with various partners and key stakeholders to advocate for greater inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers as part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). The office is engaged in advocacy with the government to support the development of a national framework for refugee protection, and advocates on issues related to the use of alternatives to detention, access to documentation amongst other key areas. UNHCR’s office is in New Delhi and has a field presence in Chennai, Tamil Nadu State.

Desired Candidate Profile

The External Relations Associate reports to the Assistant External Relations Officer and is a member of the Executive Office. H/she will work closely with the Chief of Mission, Deputy Chief of Mission in support of implementation of UNHCR India’s external engagement strategy with donors, private sector and other key interlocutors. Based in New Delhi, the incumbent receives regular guidance from the supervisor and collaborates closely with the members of the internal Task Force on External Engagement and other colleagues across the operation, partners, the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, and UNHCR Headquarters.

The External Relations Associate will play a central role in strengthening UNHCR India’s external engagement and resource mobilization efforts. This includes building and maintaining strategic relationships with diplomatic missions, development actors, donors, and other key stakeholders to advance the operation’s objectives and visibility as well as actively participating and contributing to the Task Force on External Engagement set up internally and with UNHCR partners.
Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as the focal point for stakeholder stewardship and donor reporting, coordinating closely with internal teams and external partners.
• Supporting donor prospecting, resource mobilization, and the preparation of high-quality reports, proposals, and briefing materials.
• Monitoring income and expenditure, and contributing to planning, budgeting, and reporting processes related to external relations and fundraising.
• As part of the Executive Office, supporting external engagements of UNHCR’s Chief of Mission and Deputy Chief of Mission, and with regard to the work of the internal and partner Task Force on External Engagement through scheduling meetings, preparing briefing packs, taking notes and coordinating internal and external follow up.
• Facilitating and coordinating engagement with diplomatic missions and development partners, including organizing briefings, events, and follow-up communications.
• In consultation with the supervisor, develop state specific strategies and workplans.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized and detail-oriented professional with a proven track record in external relations, donor engagement, and communications, as demonstrated through published work or professional outputs. They should possess:
• Advanced English language skills, with strong writing and editing capabilities for donor communications, reports, and public-facing materials.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including high-level representatives from diplomatic and development institutions.
• A proactive, diplomatic, and collaborative approach to problem-solving and teamwork.
• Familiarity with UNHCR’s mandate and operations, and a commitment to the core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity.
Experience in donor relations, stakeholder engagement, and reporting within the humanitarian or development sector is highly desirable. The candidate should also demonstrate a willingness to undertake field missions and contribute to the continuous improvement of external relations strategies and practices.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted, and they may be required to undergo a written test and/or an interview. The selected candidate will work either from the UNHCR Office or other UNHCR partner locations in New Delhi, India.

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. We work with skilled professionals who are committed to put people first and make a real difference to people’s lives.

Standard Job Description

External Relations Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The External Relations Associate is normally supervised by the External Relations Officer or another professional staff depending on the staffing structure of the Office. The incumbent receives regular guidance and advice from the supervisor. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units at the Country Office/HQ.
External contacts are generally with a broad range of officials from national and international institutions, media or general public involving the exchange of a wide range of information.

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
- Provide background briefings to local and international media.
- Keep track of evolving issues concerning persons of concern to be able to suggest stories and topics for the media to cover.
- Provide daily briefings on local developments to the Head of Office and ensure that briefing materials from other offices are available.
- Accompany visits of foreign delegations and the media to refugee sites in the region, giving appropriate briefings, commentaries and prepare briefing material for visitors.
- Establish contacts with local organisations to promote general interest and understanding of refugee issues
- Ensure that the office is kept informed of local developments which may have a political or operational impact on the office's activities.
- May be required to compile information and SitReps received from the Field Offices and/or sections within the Office and consolidate into weekly/monthly/quarterly report.
- Advise the Head of Office of local aspects of external relations policies.
- Liaise with external partners and local organizations on behalf of UNHCR.
- Produce reports and briefings for internal and external partners.

- 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 G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
Political Sciences Social Sciences International Relations
Journalism Communication
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills
IT-Web Content Management
CO-Drafting and Documentation
TI-Interpretation
IT-Computer Literacy
(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.

Required Languages

,

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Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

CertificationsCommunication - Other, International Relations - Other, Journalism - Other, Political Science - Other, Social Sciences - Other

Work Experience

Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

RemoteNo