Communication and Advocacy Officer (EU), P3 Temporary Appointment

Title: Communication and Advocacy Officer (EU) P3

Duty Station: Brussels, Belgium

Duration: 6 months

ContractType: Temporary Appointment

Closingdate: 27 May 2019 (midnight Geneva time)

Startdate: ASAP

Organizational context

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency) is an intergovernmental organization with a mandate to protect refugees and stateless persons worldwide.

Promoting respect for international protection norms in European Union (EU) law and EU internal and external policies is of vital importance to UNHCR, and the Agency accordingly provides its views on a wide range of issues related to refugee protection in the EU and beyond. European legislation and policies set the parameters not only for asylum policies in the 28 EU Member States, but also on a more global scale through EU external actions.

The Regional Representation for EU Affairs (RREUA) collaborates with EU institutions in Brussels on both EU internal and EU External policy aspects and with regards to concrete cooperation in situations of forced displacement globally.

UNHCR is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and the European Institutions have consistently been among the top 3 most important donors to UNHCR over the past five years through its development and humanitarian aid.  The European Institutions support UNHCR’s work globally with earmarked contributions, through a wide range of projects, and with the highest levels of displacement on record and with UNHCR involved simultaneously in a multitude of situations of forced displacement, this support and the partnership with the European Union is of vital importance to the Organization.

The incumbent of this post is based in Brussels and reports directly to the Regional Representative for EU Affairs, while working closely together with the other Brussels-based units, in particular the Global Issues EU Unit, and with other UNHCR units both at headquarter and field level. 

The incumbent of the post will provide communication advice and support to EU-funded UNHCR projects globally, with a view to increase the visibility of the UNHCR-EU partnership, at both local, regional and European level. To this end s/he will work closely with UNHCR colleagues at field level implementing the projects the receive EU support, as well as with communication colleagues in Headquarters and in UNHCR offices in Europe. S/he will also interact frequently with EC officials, other UN Agencies and a wide range of key communication stakeholders in Brussels. 

The position requires adequate knowledge of donor relations, in particular with regards to the European Union as a donor, as well as an understanding of how to communicate on humanitarian and/or development situations, towards different audiences, in an increasingly competitive donor and communications environment.

Accountability

Advocacy and communications support is provided to the UNHCR Regional Representation for EU Affairs in Brussels, and to UNHCR Offices implementing projects supported by the European Union, Advice will be provided on communications and messaging, as well as design and implementation of communication strategies to maintain and enhance the visibility of the UNHCR-EU partnership in all its aspects.

Responsibilities

1. Communication and visibility for the EU-UNHCR partnership

• Implement the visibility strategy for the EU-UNHCR partnership and EU-funded UNHCR projects as part thereof,
• Co-ordinate and provide assistance to UNHCR offices on visibility for EU-funded projects, including on visibility requirements. Increase the visibility of these activities towards Brussels’ and European audiences
• Ensure proper implementation of communication and visibility budgets at Brussels’ level,
• Build, develop and manage relations with relevant EC Communication Units of the EU funding sources,
• Represent UNHCR in the UN Communications Group and collaborate with partner organizations in large scale humanitarian and development-related events in Brussels,
• Proactively communicate on UNHCR operations and activities worldwide, with a view to showcase UNHCR operational capacities and field presence, as to increase the EU-UNHCR partnership,Proactively seek media coverage of UNHCR (EU-funded) operations, when deemed appropriate and upon internal consultation,
• Plan and organize visibility events in Brussels to highlight the EU-UNHCR partnership, and maximize the networking opportunities as part thereof. Provide event management support for all events hosted by UNHCR in Brussels.
• Manage, gather and produce content related to UNHCR’s visibility work and operations, including for social media use.
• Make use of social media to provide visibility for EU-funded activities
• Supervise monitoring of visibility provided to EU funded activities, as undertaken by the EU Visibility Assistant
• Act as a focal/entry point for GI-EU with regards to Communication and Visibility

2. Internal communications + Website

• Draft and implement an internal Communications strategy for RREUA to ensure good information flows within the office, including an internal RREUA communication and advocacy calendar
• Assist RREU Affairs staff in adhering to the UNHCR style guide in relevant communications.
• Develop and maintain the website of the RR for EU Affairs ensuring it contains all the latest products and data and becomes a go to landing site for colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a specific landing page on the EU-UN partnership, as part of the website of the RR for EU Affairs, highlighting the different EU funded UNHCR projects.

3. Management

• Supervise and provide support to the G6 EU Visibility assistant and the EU Visibility Intern.

4. AOB

• Act as a communications focal point for global (UN) Initiatives and actions in Brussel
  
  

Authority

Represent the Regional Representation for EU Affairs within the Organization and in external fora on EU communications and EU visibility related issues. Handle requests for advice and support from UNHCR offices, with regards to providing visibility to the UNHCR – EU partnership.  

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience 

• University degree (BA or equivalent) preferably in Communications, Political Sciences, International Relations.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience with progressively responsible experience in advocacy, communication, external relations of which 2 years should be in an international capacity.
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral.
• Ability to draft and edit English texts for outside dissemination.
• Experience in dealing with governmental donors,
• Experience in dealing with social media platforms.
• Solid experience on communications and advocacy with specific focus on EU.
• Excellent journalistic-style writing and editing abilities
• Expertise in the use of social media and how to use it as a strategic communication and advocacy tool.
• Fluency in English and another relevant UN language.

Desirable qualifications and competencies

• Experience in lobbying and advocacy with government and institutions.
• Experience working with the EC Directorates ECHO, DEVCO, NEAR, HOME and the EEAS.
  
  

Application

Interest candidates should apply to the Profile Communication Officer (Global) - 13932 in the Talent Pool by 27 May 2019(midnight Geneva time).

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.