Assoc External Relations Officer

Grade

NOB

National Professional Officer

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

H (no hardship)

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2024-05-15

2024-08-31

April 13, 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 UNHCR¿s 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 UNHCR¿s 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 donors¿ requests for information on ad hoc basis.
– Through a consultative process with headquarters, disseminate information on UNHCR¿s 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 UNHCR¿s 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 UNHCR¿s 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.

Operational Context

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is a global organization protecting people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We work in over 130 countries, helping millions of people with life-saving support, safeguarding fundamental human rights, and helping them build a better future (see www.unhcr.org).

Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, over 2.3 million refugees from Ukraine have entered Bulgaria and until the end of February 2024, the Government of Bulgaria has granted Temporary Protection to more than 176,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine, of whom the majority are women and children. The Council of Ministers has formed a Task Force for the Ukrainian Refugee Response, focusing on inter-ministerial coordination.

UNHCR under its mandate leads and coordinates the Inter-Agency refugee response for the Ukraine Situation, in alignment with the Regional Refugee Response Plan for the Ukraine Situation (RRP) – co-leading with and in support of the Government. Under the Refugee Coordination Mechanism, UNHCR has established the national refugee coordination forum – along with an inter-agency Cash Working Group (led by UNHCR), an Education Working Group (led by UNICEF), a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Technical Working Group (led by WHO), a Protection and Inclusion Working Group (led by UNHCR), a Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) network (co-led by UNHCR, UNICEF and a local organization) which fall under the inter-agency refugee coordination mechanism. There are currently 19 partners involved in the Refugee Response Plan for 2024.

Additionally, Bulgaria as an external EU border, plays a strategic role in refugee protection within Europe. In 2023, Bulgaria’s State Agency for Refugees (SAR) registered over 22,500 asylum seekers, most from Syria and Afghanistan, which have exceeded the asylum application numbers from 2022. SAR operates six reception centers for the registration, Refugee Status Determination procedures and accommodation of asylum seekers. Amid an increase in arrivals of Afghan and Syrian asylum seekers since 2022, UNHCR supports Bulgaria’s Government to ensure policies and legislation are in line with international and EU standards, and promotes a comprehensive refugee response, grounded in a multi-stakeholder, whole-of-society approach.

UNHCR supports government-led efforts to provide key protection – including legal assistance, information on services, education and psychosocial support – reception and accommodation, as well as the delivery of core relief items for winterization and cash assistance for the most vulnerable groups. UNHCR’s priority protection interventions include access to territory and asylum procedures, inclusion of refugees in state-led programs, Child Protection and Gender Based Violence prevention, risk mitigation and response, support to persons with specific needs, and mitigation of the risks relating to trafficking and other forms of abuse and exploitation. UNHCR is also providing technical support to asylum authorities for digitalized systems.

Nature of position: External Relations Unit and Head of External Relations Unit:

The External Relations Unit (ERU) at UNHCR Representation in Bulgaria plays a crucial role in implementing integrated communications, crisis communications, and resource mobilization strategies. Under the supervision of the Representative and in collaboration with various functional teams, the ERU ensures timely and accurate internal reporting while supporting the implementation of academic, private sector, and cities strategies. It oversees communications, donor relations, and internal and external reporting to achieve UNHCR’s resource mobilization goals and enhance visibility. Regular engagement with key stakeholders and adherence to global and regional strategies are essential aspects of ERU’s operations.

As the Head of the External Relations Unit, the Associate External Relations Officer (AERO) supervises the ERU and ensures managerial oversight, performance management, and adherence to UNHCR’s rules and regulations. Key responsibilities include overseeing the development and implementation of robust resource mobilization, communications, and crisis communications strategies. The AERO engages strategically with donors in Bulgaria, acts as UNHCR’s spokesperson, and coordinates donor and media missions. They provide guidance to operational leadership, ensure the production of high-quality multimedia content aligned with UNHCR’s goals, and advise on communications, external engagement, staffing, and recruitment matters. Additionally, the AERO oversees internal and external coordination, capacity building, and training on communications, donor relations, and reporting, while also editing key communications deliverables. AERO coordinates regular, comprehensive, and timely internal and external reports such as Situation Reports, Factsheets, Operational Updates, etc.

In Communications, leads the development and implementation of comprehensive communication strategies. S/he leads communications efforts for UNHCR Bulgaria, including programmatic communication, media relations, and social media management. Fosters partnerships with media players, coordinates press events, and ensures timely and wide distribution of communication products. Additionally, they oversee UNHCR Bulgaria’s social media channels and brand compliance and visibility materials production.

Under the Donor Relations and Resource Mobilization Pillar, assists in designing and implementing overall strategies and work plans. It coordinates financial planning and procurement, manages donor visibility strategies, and supports donor briefings and meetings. The volunteer also aids in internal and external reporting, operational updates, and factsheet preparation, contributing to UNHCR’s resource mobilization efforts and donor engagement.

Desired Candidate Profile

The desired candidate has excellent knowledge of international and local media, international organizations, institutions, politics, and culture. Fund-raising and programming/Programme management experience. Experience working with digital/social media. S/he is expected to have regular contact with authorities and all relevant stakeholders, including government, refugees and host community representatives, local authorities, cities and other local actors, international organizations within and outside the United Nations system, regional organizations, humanitarian and development actors, international and regional financial institutions, parliaments, civil society organizations, faith-based actors, the private sector, media, academics, and sport and cultural organizations

The candidate must be the national of Bulgaria and fluency in Bulgarian language is essential for coordination with high level government officials and other stakeholders.

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Bulgarian

,

English

,

,

,

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Web Content Management, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)

Education

Bachelor 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

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales