Senior External Relations Associate (OSL)

This position is advertised open to internal and external applicants. The usual eligibility requirements are waived.
Candidates will be required to sit for a test Senior External Relations Associate (OSL)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the supervision of the Head of Office for Switzerland & Liechtenstein (OSL), the Senior External Relations Associate (OSL) will work to enhance awareness of the protection needs of refugees and persons of concern and to promote positive attitudes towards refugees and other persons of concern through work with the media as well as various external relations activities and events, and will support efforts to develop and disseminate messages in line with UNHCR's protection objectives both in Switzerland and Liechtenstein and globally. To achieve this, the Senior External Relations Associate (OSL)will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with different partners including the authorities beyond the asylum authorities, such as for example cultural institutions, civil society, media, as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to these objectives.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- Opportunities to promote positive attitudes towards refugees and other persons of concern and to raise awareness of their protection needs are identified and seized.
- Messages developed are in line with the UNHCR mandate and protection objectives in Switzerland and Liechtenstein and regional and global needs and objectives.
- HQ external relations activities in Switzerland are supported (e.g. Nansen).

Responsibility
- Develop an external relations and media strategy and advise the Head of Office and other staff on domestic context in terms of external relations and media.
- Establish and maintain contacts with other actors such as media, NGOs, official institutions, including cultural institutions and the art world, and local authorities for purposes of raising general awareness and positive interest in refugee/asylum/statelessness-related issues.
- Undertake and organize public activities and events, including high level, intended to raise the visibility of UNHCR and its work and to increase its awareness with the general public ¿ incl. for World Refugee Day.
- Identify partners for external relations activities and events who could act as multipliers, and/or help ensure greater reach and impact of a given event/campaign.
- Develop a network of media contacts.
- Organise media interviews and background briefings in cooperation with the Head of Office.
- Draft and disseminate press statements and similar information to Swiss media.
- Develop with the support of the OSL team, website content for the Office for Switzerland and Liechtenstein which provides up to date information in German and French on UNHCR's international and national activities. Ensure that OSL's key objectives are well visible on the website. Improve the Facebook page and increase its number of fans.
- Monitor the Swiss media and circulate relevant articles within the Office and wherever necessary to relevant Brussels/HQ Units.  
- Keep track of evolving issues concerning persons of concern to UNHCR, both on a national and global level, and suggest stories and topics for the media to cover and other activities to ensure awareness of and regular reporting of UNHCR information.
- Provide daily/weekly updates and reviews on local developments to the Head of Office and other staff in the office, in particularly those developments which are likely to have a political or other impact on the office¿s activities or issues of concern, as well as input for weekly sitreps.
- Cooperate on protection-related issues as required and requested.
- Act as officer in charge and replace Head of Office when required.
- Supervise interns.
- Ensure the filing of external/media relations-related documents.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Authority
- Participate in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts at the relevant level.
- Assist in the development of project proposals and project implementation.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Completion of secondary education with post-secondary training/certificate in International Relations, Political Sciences, Journalism, Communications or related field.
- At least 11 years of relevant work experience in external and media relations, preferably in the asylum field. 
- Experience with managing websites, with social media as well as with exhibitions and organisation of high level events.
- Excellent knowledge of the Swiss political environment, knowledge on how to monitor and assess political developments.
- Good knowledge of the Swiss asylum and nationality system.
- Good knowledge of Swiss cultural institutions and Swiss actors in this field.
- Good computer skills.
- Strong understanding of UNHCR mandate and organization.
- Excellent communication skills orally and in writing in German, French and English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Previous UNHCR or international experience would be a strong asset.
- Good knowledge of international refugee and human rights standards.
- Completion of UNHCR learning programmes on protection would be an asset or any other equivalent external courses.
- Knowledge of Italian would be very desirable. C001L2 - Accountability Level 2
C002L2 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 2
C003L2 - Communication Level 2
C004L2 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 2
C005L2 - Client & Result Orientation Level 2
C006L2 - Organizational Awareness Level 2
M003L2 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 2
X002L2 - Innovation and Creativity Level 2
X005L2 - Planning and Organizing Level 2
X008L2 - Stakeholder Management Level 2 English, French, German are Essential.
Italian is desirable.

Closing date for submissions or applications is 2 October.