External Relations Associate

H (no hardship)FamilyFamily GS6General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular AssignmentNo2024-12-15December 5, 2024

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 UNHCR's 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 office's 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.

This position requires strong writing and communication skills, including the ability to brief senior colleagues and external stakeholders and convey information clearly and succinctly, as well as strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills. Strong awareness of political and public sensitivities around global refugee policies is required, and a solid understanding of and experience with the U.S. policymaking and legislative processes is a must. A network of contacts throughout the Congress and U.S. government is highly desirable. Prior experience working in Congress on related issues or on humanitarian policy/legislative advocacy is highly desirable. As the ER team works closely with colleagues across the office and organization, the position requires a strong team player with an ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural and international environment and a demonstrated interest in refugee and humanitarian policies.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The External Relations Associate reports to the Senior External Relations Officer and is part of the External Relations unit in the UNHCR Multi-Country office in Washington (MCOW). The ER unit works to engage and inform U.S. government officials, Congress, the diplomatic community, and civil society about UNHCR 's global strategic priorities and operations and the needs of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, and to ensure continued bipartisan U.S. political and financial support for the organization 's work around the globe. The ER Associate will work closely with the Senior ER Officer and External Relations Officers to build and maintain strong relationships with Congressional staff involved in shaping U.S. policies and funding impacting refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people, and stateless people worldwide. The ER Associate will monitor key U.S. legislative/policy developments related to global refugee protection; attend or watch and analyze Congressional hearings and briefings; maintain strong relationships with UN agency colleagues and civil society advocates; regularly share analysis and info with HQ, Bureau, and field colleagues on relevant U.S. political and policy developments; help organize field visits by UNHCR staff and partners; and provide support to the Senior ER Officer on budget and planning processes, among others. The ER Associate will draft, edit, and format materials such as talking points for meetings, as well as briefs, updates, and fact sheets for distribution to key external audiences and partners. 

Living and Working Conditions:

Multi-Country Washington is an H duty station. There are no particular security considerations in the USA or the Caribbean in general, and the living conditions in Washington D.C. are comfortable and safe. The post requires occasional mission travel to field locations. Current operational circumstances might require frequently long working hours. There is a need for security awareness, especially about criminality, when traveling to certain locations. MCOW is under the purview of a Senior Field Security officer in the Regional Bureau of Americas based in Panama.

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

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

Compendium

Additional Information

All candidates are required to submit proof of U.S. residency and/or a valid work permit at the time of application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. A written test and/or interview will be conducted as part of the selection process.This position doesn't require a functional clearance