Senior External Relations Assistant

Organizational Context

The Senior External Relations Assistant operates under the supervision of an External Relations Officer, supporting the management of external relations activities. This role is crucial for organizing visits of delegations, donors, and media, providing briefings, and drafting reports for external partners. The position may receive guidance from UNHCR's External Relations/Public Information Units.

Job Purpose

The Senior External Relations Assistant plays a key role in managing the external relations activities of the UNHCR office. This involves organizing and facilitating visits for foreign delegations, donors, press, and media, ensuring they receive comprehensive briefings and appropriate materials. The incumbent is responsible for drafting various communication outputs, including press releases, reports, and newsletters, to inform external partners about UNHCR's work. Additionally, the role contributes to UNHCR's online presence by assisting with social media strategies and pitching stories for the global website. Ensuring the availability of public information materials and organizing visibility events are also core functions, aimed at enhancing public understanding and support for UNHCR's mandate and operations.

Responsibilities

The Senior External Relations Assistant is responsible for drafting essential communication materials such as briefing notes, press releases, bulletins, reports, and newsletters. They will facilitate and accompany visits of foreign delegations, partner NGOs, donors, and the media to refugee camps, ensuring smooth interactions and information dissemination. The role involves drafting and translating routine correspondence and texts. A significant responsibility is assisting in the development and implementation of UNHCR's social media strategy, including conceptualizing and pitching stories for the UNHCR global website. The incumbent must ensure that public information materials, including fact sheets and brochures, are readily available. Organizing visibility events, such as World Refugee Day, and liaising with partners, refugees, and local communities for their implementation are key tasks. The role may also involve compiling weekly, monthly, annual, or quarterly thematic reports and situation reports. Daily media review to keep the office informed of local developments and responding to non-complex media queries and correspondence are also part of the duties. Furthermore, the assistant supports risk management by identifying and managing risks and opportunities impacting their area of responsibility, ensuring risk-based decision-making and reporting issues to supervisors.

Work Experience

2 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree or higher. Previous experience in the UN/UNHCR, completion of UNHCR learning programs, or specific training relevant to the functions is desirable. HQ and Field experience with UNHCR or other humanitarian organizations is also desirable.

Skills

International Relations Journalism Political Science Communication Media Interpretation Computer Literacy Drafting and Documentation Social Media Strategy Public Information Material Development Event Organization Risk Management

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