External Relations Officer

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:

• Assist the development and implementation of 2 strategies:  a communications strategy and a fundraising strategy targeting traditional government donors that generates support for UNHCR s operations from external partners (e.g. the general public, governments, donors, partners, the media, academia and persons of concern).
• Stay abreast of key developments and challenges in Thailand, the region, and globally, relating to refugees, asylum seekers, internal displacement, statelessness, and humanitarian operations.
• Liaise closely with all Units in Thailand to keep up-to-date on programmes and activities, and challenges and progress posed by the political, economic, and social context in order to gather and collate accurate information relating to the Operation.
• Develop and consolidate information for external and internal documents such as Fact Sheets, Global Appeal, Mid-Year and Annual Reports, Thailand’s Country Operation Plan, donor reports, sitreps, and external updates.
• Assist in responses to donors such as narrative reporting, and visibility requirements.
• Act as focal point for donor visibility, and brand compliance across the Operation.
• Compile, draft, edit, and fact-check information and products submitted by Units for external dissemination.
• In support of the Representative, act as focal point for activities relating to the United Nations Country Team in Thailand, and other inter-agency initiatives.
• Conduct outreach activities on behalf of the Office such as presentations at schools and universities.
• Liaise with Private Sector Partnerships colleagues on issues relating to public information.
• Work closely with UNHCR regional PI/communications staff in South East Asia, and focal points in HQ on communications initiatives and messaging.
• Act as a spokesperson for UNHCR, handling interview requests, and providing responses to requests from media relating to UNHCR and its work.
• Draft talking points and messages for the Office, and for sharing with communicators at regional and global level.
• Draft press releases, press lines, and ‘if-asked’ guidance notes, social media outputs, website content; working closely with colleagues across the operation, region and at HQ.
• Produce and encourage colleagues across the operation to produce strategic and general interest news and human interest stories for dissemination to external audiences.
• Maintain an up to date database of journalists and media organizations
• Through a consultative process with headquarters, disseminate information on UNHCR’s global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement special projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for persons of concern in the country operation.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ensure alignment with UNHCR’s global branding and messaging.
• Continually maintain and upgrade communications skills, keeping abreast of emerging platforms and tools, and systematically reviewing media impact results and other measurement tools for learning purposes.
• Act as the lead for crisis communications work for their country, alerting the GCS/News & Media Section’s crisis communications lead to risk issues and ensuring close coordination.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education & Professional Work Experience:

• 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

Essential:

• Experience in humanitarian operations in a field environment. Excellent knowledge of local institution, politics and culture.
• Experience developing and implementing communications strategies. Strong social media presence. Experience working on advocacy campaigns. Experience working with goodwill ambassadors and other high-profile influencers. Experience with brand management. Experience with measurement and evaluation, especially providing analysis of media coverage, social media engagement, web traffic, etc. Experience reporting, writing, editing for magazines, newspapers and websites. Experience using digital asset management systems. Experience with digital analytics and performance reporting.

Language Requirements :

• For International Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English

Source: https://unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Bangkok-MCO-Thailand/External-Relations-Officer_JR2445687-1