External Relations Officer

Reason

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 addition staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core functional cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRs 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 forcibly displaced and stateless persons).
- Assist in the articulation of all issues pertaining to the needs of the forcibly displaced and stateless persons 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 UNHCRs global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement special projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for forcibly displaced and stateless persons 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 UNHCRs 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.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

of Position:

UNHCRs presence in the UAE is primarily centered on partnerships resource mobilization for its global humanitarian operations high-level advocacy and collaboration in global logistics. The office consists of de facto three different teams The core ER team under MCO KSA the Private Sector Partnership team and the outposted team of DESS Supply Management Service OTS.

The External Relations Officer based in Dubai will work under the direct supervision of the UNHCR MCO KSA Representative and have a matrixed relationship with the CO in Kuwait and Qatar. The incumbent will be responsible for two main workstreams:

Regional communications support to country offices across MCO KSA including Kuwait Qatar KSA the UAE and other GCC initiatives covering GCC country-based PSP initiatives and Islamic Philanthropy efforts. This includes serving as the designated spokesperson for the region and offering technical oversight on the development and implementation of country communications plans and products. Responsibilities include coordinating regional media engagements and assisting with the capacity building of national personnel.

External Relations responsibilities in the UAE which include government relations country-based Inter-Agency coordination outreach and resource mobilization. This includes the preparation and submission of proposals and progress reports in coordination with relevant field operations. The incumbent will coordinate UNHCRs participation in regional and global events hosted in the UAE. The incumbent will also be expected to regularly coordinate with the country-based PSP team on initiatives campaigns and events that require the engagement of UNHCRs MCO leadership and UNHCRs senior addition to maintaining active coordination lines with UNHCRs UAE-based stockpile teams on country-based initiatives such as airlifts shipments and other related engagement opportunities.

Living and Working Conditions:

Hot environment with extreme daily temperature fluctuations.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bi-Annual 2026 Compendium - Part B

Additional Information