Snr External Relations Adviser - US Government

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Senior External Relations Adviser

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior External Relations Adviser has the primary responsibility of coordinating the External Relations functions of the Multi-Country Office in Washington and, along with the Representative and Deputy Representative, advocates on behalf of UNHCR's global operations and protection mandate through contacts with multiple high-level interlocutors. Given that the United States is the largest donor to UNHCR's programs, the External Relations Unit is regularly called upon for information by not only government agencies but also by the larger civil society in Washington. For this reason, and because of the political sensitivity of the Unit's activities and its numerous internal and external working relationships, it performs a critical function within the Multi-Country Office.

The primary function of the External Relations Unit of the Multi-Country Office in Washington is to maintain and enhance U.S. political and financial support for UNHCR's global operations and promote UNHCR¿s US protection agenda with the US government. The Unit organizes numerous missions to Washington by senior UNHCR officials from HQ and the Field, including the High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner, senior leadership and country representatives from key Operations. The Unit also organizes and leads delegations to UNHCR Field Operations for congressional and executive branch staff, as well as for U.S. foreign policy and national security experts.

The incumbent also works closely with the heads of the other Units in the Multi-Country Office, particularly the U.S. Protection & Solutions Unit and the Outreach & Strategic Communications Unit, to ensure consistency of messages and to coordinate advocacy efforts with respect to global, regional, and domestic refugee protection and assistance.


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
- Guide and manage UNHCR's relationships with key US stakeholders including the executive and legislative branches of the US government; NGOs/think tanks; and civil society influencers in order to maintain and enhance US political and financial support for UNHCR's global operations.
- Monitor and analyse US political, legislative, and policy developments relevant to UNHCR's work including but not limited to the US budget/appropriations process and provide cogent analysis to the Representative, Deputy Representative, other Units within MCO Washington, and other UNHCR staff in HQ, Regional Bureaus, and the Field as appropriate.
- Monitor the interests and concerns of key US stakeholders and partners, particularly policymakers and NGOs, and recommend appropriate action or responses on the part of UNHCR.
- Ensure that Congressional offices, executive branch agencies, NGOs, and other partners are provided with timely and useful information on UNHCR's global operations, thematic and integrity issues, funding through proactive briefings/meetings; regular dissemination of information; responses to inquiries; and the organization of field missions.
- In coordination with the US Protection & Solutions Unit and MCO-W senior management, provide strategic advice and technical assistance to the US Government with respect to the protection and assistance of asylum seekers who are in the United States or arriving at its borders.
- Establish and enhance opportunities to increase access and educate at the highest levels of the US Government and enhance spaces to voice concerns with key decision-makers.
- Propose missions to Washington by the High Commissioner and other senior UNHCR officials from HQ and the Field, and guide the planning and conduct of such missions (i.e., the recommendation and scheduling of strategic meetings/briefings/events; preparation/collection of background materials and talking points; implementation of the mission including through attendance at meetings; preparation of meeting notes/mission reports as needed; and timely and thorough follow-up on issues/questions/concerns raised during the mission).
- Advocate effectively for UNHCR's positions with US Government decision-makers through a range of formal and informal means.
- Coordinate appropriate interventions/responses (missions, briefings, statements, letters, etc.) by the Representative and other senior staff to influence favourably key US decision-makers on legislative and policy issues of concern to UNHCR.
- Pursuant to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (MECEA) authority, organize and lead delegations to UNHCR Field Operations for selected American foreign policy practitioners, congressional staff in order to expand the network of supporters/validations for UNHCR¿s key messages. Encourage and facilitate other visits to UNHCR Field Operations by Members of Congress/senior staff, executive branch officials, NGOs, think tanks, and other stakeholders, in order to increase awareness of UNHCR¿s lifesaving work and the rights and needs of persons of concern.
- Coordinate parallel interventions by UNHCR staff in Geneva, in Panama (Regional Bureau), and in the Field with U.S. diplomatic and government counterparts on the ground.
- Liaise with the Washington offices of other UN agencies, international organizations, international financial institutions (World Bank, IMF, IADB, etc.), and embassies in order to facilitate information-sharing and the development of joint activities.
- Personally undertake outreach efforts (i.e., speeches, presentations, conferences, etc.) and provide formal and informal briefings for a range of interlocutors, with the objective of enhancing public understanding of and support for UNHCR and persons of concern.
- Liaise as needed with USA for UNHCR, the Goodwill Ambassador team, and other relevant entities to propose and implement strategic advocacy initiatives.
- Undertake other creative strategies and initiatives aimed at building consistent, long-term support in the United States for UNHCR.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
International Relations; Public Policy; Law; Political Science;
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specifield.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)


Relevant Job Experience
Essential
- Minimum 10 years of professional job experience, including senior level experience in the field of external relations and advocacy.
- A track record of established networking capacity.
Desirable
- Knowledge of international and U.S. refugee law/policy and the work of UNHCR.
- International work experience helpful.

Functional Skills
EX-Experience in an international capacity;
EX-Experience in international organization (United Nations or similar);
CO-Strategic Communication;
MS-Networking;
MG-Representation;
CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches;
CO-Spokesperson skills;

(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.


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. C001L4 - Accountability Level 4
C002L4 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 4
C003L4 - Communication Level 4
C004L4 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 4
C005L4 - Client & Result Orientation Level 4
C006L4 - Organizational Awareness Level 4
M001L4 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 4
M005L4 - Leadership Level 4
M004L4 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 4
M003L4 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 4
X004L4 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 4
X007L4 - Political Awareness Level 4
X008L4 - Stakeholder Management Level 4

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.

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

Please note that the closing date for advertisements in the Add.4 March 2020 Compendium is Monday 24 August 2020 (midnight Geneva time).