External Relations Associate

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

June 22 2025

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 UNHCRs 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 offices 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.

Nature of Position:

The Representation for EU Affairs (REUA) plays a central role in shaping and promoting the organizations external engagement strategy with the European Union. It works across a wide network of EU institutions and stakeholders to advance protection priorities influence legislative developments and support policy dialogue. The office also contributes to political analysis and strategic reporting on developments within the EU that have implications for asylum and migration as well as humanitarian and development agendas globally.

Under the joint supervision of the Head of the Policy and Legal Support Unit (PLUS) and the Head of the Global Issues-EU Unit the External Relations Associate will contribute to the Representations advocacy efforts. The incumbent will support initiatives aimed at influencing EU legislative and policy processes to strengthen protection and solution frameworks particularly as they relate to asylum and migration.

Desired Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

An advanced understanding of the EUs institutional architecture decision-making processes and current political dynamics.
Relevant professional experience working within or engaging directly with EU institutions
A proven track record in advocacy including experience in developing and delivering advocacy strategies targeted at institutional actors.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex legal or political information and communicate it clearly to different audiences.
Excellent drafting and communication abilities with a high degree of political sensitivity and diplomacy including the ability to represent the organization effectively in meetings and public fora.
Demonstrated capacity to work under time pressure and juggle various priorities and deadlines.

Language requirement: Full professional proficiency in English both oral and written is essential.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation IT-Computer Literacy IT-Web Content Management TI-Interpretation

Certifications

Communication - Other International Relations - Other Journalism - Other Political Science - Other Social Sciences - Other

Competencies

Accountability Analytical thinking Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Innovation & creativity Organizational awareness Political awareness Teamwork & collaboration

Additional Information

To be eligible candidates must have the right to reside and work in the European Union.

Functional clearance

This position doesnt require a functional clearance