External Relations Officer

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family

UNOPS IICA2

2024-08-01

August 5, 2024

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The incumbent is under the direct supervision of Representative who provides guidance on the applicable procedures. The incumbent will work closely with the Thai PSP colleagues. Advice may also be provided by relevant functional units at HQ and the Regional Bureau for Asia and Pacific. External contacts are predominantly with Partners, media, government embassies and other international organizations on matters of importance to the Organization. Coordination with the Royal Thai Government (RTG) on statelessness is also foreseen with the launch of the Global Alliance, which RTG has joined.

In line with its Global Communications Strategy, UNHCR requires skilled communications professionals to conceive and execute a range of activities that help us lead the narrative on forced displacement and statelessness, generate empathy and mobilize action. This body of work spans communications strategy and coordination, news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, Goodwill Ambassadors and other influencers, public outreach and campaigns, fundraising, analytics and brand.

The incumbent need to cultivate a keen understanding of our target audiences—including an up-to-the-minute grasp of the methods and tone of voice that resonate deeply, win trust and spark quality engagement. He/she must be vigilant about editorial and journalistic standards, attentive to protection concerns and political sensitivities, and focused on communicating successfully with key demographics. These audiences will vary by location, language and platform, among other factors, as well as whether the aim is to inform, advocate or raise funds.

UNHCR’s primary target audiences include public, media and policymakers, while our main partners and influencers include peers and private sector, trusted figures and our own workforce. Some communicators will focus mainly on news and media relations, for example, while others will produce multimedia content, manage social media accounts or lead advocacy campaigns. Forging partnerships with media outlets that reach target audiences is a central role for the position.

The incumbent is expected to work strategically in support of UNHCR’s operational and communications objectives for their geographic area of responsibility (AoR) as well as global priorities. Communications approaches should reflect our core values as an organization that is caring, trustworthy, proactive, outcome-focused and responsive. This will reinforce UNHCR’s role as the lead agency that protects refugees, internally displaced and stateless people and mobilizes action to provide solutions.

The incumbent is expected to develop a strategy to increase the Offices outreach to traditional government donors increasing donations as a complement to the well-developed PSP fundraising with the Thai private sector and public.

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

Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations,
Journalism, or other relevant field.

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
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
Competency Requirements

Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies
Managing Performance
Empowering and Building Trust
Judgement and Decision Making
Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Innovation and Creativity
Political Awareness

Standard Job Description

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 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 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 persons of concern).
– Assist in the articulation of all issues pertaining to the needs of the populations of concern 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 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.
– 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 UNHCR’s 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.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Journalism, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No