External Relations Officer

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

July 11 2025

External Relations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Direct supervision is normally exercised by a Senior External Relations Officer of Representative who provides guidance on the applicable procedures. Advice may also be provided by relevant functional units at HQ. The incumbent may supervise some support staff. External contacts are predominantly with Partners media government embassies and other international organizations 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 UNHCRs 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 in the planning of a consultative process with UNHCR colleagues (Programme Protection etc.) with external actors and partners so as to develop and implement protection and assistance strategy with clearly articulated objectives timelines and outputs.
- Assist the implementation of a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR s operations from external partners (e.g. the general public governments partners the media academia and forcibly displaced and stateless persons).
- Assist in the articulation of all issues pertaining to the needs of the forcibly displaced and stateless persons and the strategies in place to respond to their needs.
- Inform the UNHCR Country Team on the UNHCR priorities so as to ensure that they are given adequate weight in the publications and documentation of the UN Country Team.
- Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide accurate information by organizing regular briefings bilateral meetings and missions. Prepare reports as appropriate.
- In accordance with the operational context and in close cooperation with headquarters propose new and non-traditional funding sources as appropriate including private sector and humanitarian pooled/basket funds (e.g. Central Emergency Response Fund Human Security Fund).
- Through a consultative process with headquarters disseminate information on UNHCRs global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement special projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for forcibly displaced and stateless persons in the country operation.
- Participate on behalf of the Representative and other supervisors in inter-agency cooperation and communication strategies initiatives and tools.
- Support senior management in representing UNHCR in the UN Country Team and other UN coordination fora.
- Support and participate in local UN integrated missions Inter-Agency Standing Committee Emergency Relief Coordinator and Cluster communication strategies and initiatives.
- 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 UNHCRs country operations and identify appropriate messages for campaigns and appeals.
- Assist in the coordination of the drafting of situation reports briefing notes background material talking points fact sheets press releases and articles.
- Assist in the development of targeted communications strategies and media packages for situations and/or activities that require focused attention.
- 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 and organizing regular briefings and visits to country operations.
- On behalf of the Representative approve fundraising messages.
- On behalf of the Representative approve any relevant expenditure for the implementation of fundraising activities.
- Propose which donors to approach and which operations or activities to prioritize for special fundraising appeals.
- Implement all aspects of a communications strategy.
- Approve budgets and expenditures for communications activities.
- Clear external relations/communication products and tools as appropriate.
- Represent UNHCR on behalf of senior management in fund-raising 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 P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Political Sciences Social Sciences International Relations Journalism

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
Good knowledge of UNHCR operations both at Headquarters and in the Field.
Fund-raising and programming/programme management experience.
Experience of working with social media.

Functional Skills
IT-Web Content Management
IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
ER-Inter-Agency External Relations
(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.

The External Relations Officer at UNHCR France plays a key role in developing and implementing the external relations strategy of the office under the guidance of the Representative. The following are key elements of the desired candidate profile:
The candidate should have experience in dealing with governments and other actors for the purpose of mobilizing political and financial support for refugee programmes globally preferably with previous experience in the field and at HQs.
The candidate should have political acumen and the ability to analyze the evolving context in France and to seize a wide range of opportunities for engagement.
Given the catalytic role of UNHCR Paris the candidate should be personally proactive and dynamic in broadening and overseeing partnerships and collaborations with public and private actors.
As the External Relations Officer acts as a spoke person the candidate should be able to regularly deliver interviews to the media showing adaptability and flexibility in relation to the needs of the office.
The candidate should be a genuine team player supporting the representative leading by example the external relations unit collaborating harmoniously with all colleagues.
The candidate should have excellent organizational skills to be able to effectively organize high-level missions.
Fluency in French and English both orally and in writing are required for the post.

French

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

UN security risk management (SRM) in France is coordinated by UNESCO.

To view occupational safety and health considerations for specific duty stations please visit this link: of Position:

France is a very important player within the UN and the EU and a key supporter of UNHCR. During the past years France has increased support for UNHCR globally engaging in a quality dialogue on crises and solutions. UNHCR Paris also collaborates with Monaco the highest contributor per capita to UNHCR. The External Relations Officer (ERO) provides support to the representative in engaging with France on global issues and notably with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in close coordination with HQs (RBE and DRRM). In this context the ERO provides support for the organisation of high-level visits.

France has been one of the co-convenors of the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) of December 2023 leading a multi-stakeholder engagement for forcibly displaced women. The ERO works with the team in encouraging the implementation of GRF pledges and nurturing political mobilisation.

Paris is a key media hub not only for France but also for French-speaking media globally. The ERO gives regular interviews to the traditional media on global and domestic issues related to forced displacement and refugees providing support in media outreach as required.

During the past years UNHCR France has increased its reach-out to social media.

The incumbent should also be able to proactively engage with social media in consultation with the representative.

UNHCR is often called upon by academic institutions and think tanks to provide presentations related to refugees. The ERO should be able to meaningfully contribute in this area.

UNHCR in France is implementing project in the areas of awareness raising with Youth in schools (INTERACT project) refugee participation and cultural mediation. The ERO ensures the effective management of these projects and their sustainability.

UNHCR in France and Monaco engages in the area of sport and refugees working with Youth actors dealing with sports Good Will Ambassadors and High-level Supporters building on the successful engagement in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The ERO plays a key role in this area.

With the adoption of the Global Compact on Refugees UNHCR France increasingly deals with private sector actors wishing to engage in favor of refugees. In particular a collaboration has been developed with government and private sector actors including the Chamber of Commerce in the area of access to employment for refugees. ERO works with the representative and protection colleagues in this field.

A PSP team works in Paris to collect funds from private actors and individuals in consultation with the Country Office. The ERO works with the representative in supporting the PSP team and in ensuring coherence with the objectives of UNHCR France.

The ERO manages the external relations unit in the areas of communication and partnerships reports to the representative closely collaborates with the other units (Protection Admin/Programme PSP) and liaises as relevant with the RBE and other units at HQs.

The ERO could be asked to play the role of OIC in the absence of the representative in alternance with the Senior Protection Officer.

Living and Working Conditions:

Paris is a modern capital city with all the necessary communications and good living conditions. Accommodation is expensive.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation ER-Inter-Agency External Relations IT-Computer Literacy IT-Web Content Management

Education

Bachelor of Arts: International Relations Bachelor of Arts: Journalism Bachelor of Arts: Political Science Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability Analytical thinking Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Empowering & building trust Innovation & creativity Judgement & decision making Managing performance Managing resource Organizational awareness Political awareness Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

Add. 1 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance