Jobs at United Nations in United Arab Emirates

Senior External Relations Associate

The Senior External Relations Associate is to be a key external point of contact for the UNHCR office with media and other external organisations. The incumbent will be responsible for creating greater public (Donors NGOs Government Refugees Civil Society etc.) awareness and understanding of refugee issues and the work of UNHCR and for amplifying the voice of refugees and other people of concern (PoC). S / he will have a pivotal role in drafting reports updates briefing documents maintenance of the UNHCR local web site and social media channels and providing support to the supervisor.

The Senior External Relations Associate supports activities events campaigns and outreach working with partner organisations to support the protection of PoC. Essential to these efforts are coherent and consistent visual and verbal messaging and linking the substantive media elements (news) to milestone events (World Refugee Day Nansen Refugee Award #IBelong Campaign to end Statelessness HCs Dialogues and the launch of one off campaigns and events.) The overall aim is to mobilise further financial support increase awareness and empathy for forcibly displaced people.

The incumbent normally reports to a Representative Head of Office / Section or a Senior Communication or External Relations Officer depending on the office setup.

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.

• Support UNHCRs media relations and advocacy work in the geographic and thematic area.
• Monitor evolving issues concerning asylum seekers stateless persons and refugees within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) and suggest stories and topics for media coverage.
• Provide support to Senior Management in dealing with the challenges posed by the political context the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.
• Ensure that the office is kept informed of local developments which may have a political or operational impact on its activities.
• Provide background briefings to local and international media.
• Accompany visits of foreign delegations and the media to refugee sites give appropriate briefings commentaries and prepare briefing material for visitors.
• Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide accurate information by organizing regular briefings bilateral meetings and missions.
• Assist Senior Management in disseminating information on UNHCRs global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement special projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for PoC.
• Manage budget when requested including tracking expenditures and incoming donations. Ensure payments through UNHCR and prepare budget documents for partners and reports on spending.
• Assist in the drafting of situation reports briefing notes background material talking points fact sheets press releases and articles.
• Assist in planning and organizing advertisements exhibitions training seminars conferences meetings social events campaigns and other activities to promote a better understanding of UNHCRs activities and accomplishments by the general public and / or organized groups.
• Organize press briefings for external parties as required.
• Reach out proactively to a broad range of external actors including social media influencers good will ambassadors and the private sector to build new alliances within the AoR in order to promote the protection of PoC.
• Manage preparation of contracts for artists production companies journalist photographers etc.
• 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.

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable.

Certificates and / or Licenses (essential)

• Political or Social Sciences International Relations Journalism Communication

Essential : Not specified

Desirable :

Experience with event management. Demonstrated ability to work against tight deadlines.

MS-Advocacy

CO-Journalism (incl. print broadcast photography video)

CO-Multimedia storytelling

ER-External Relations in UNHCR or other humanitarian agencies

EX-Experience in an international decentralized and / or multinational environment

MG-Project Management

FR-Marketing

MG- Partnership Development

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.

The position is open to Emirati nationals and candidates with valid residency in the UAE subject to the following qualifications :

• Proven experience with a UN Agency or in an international or multinational environment particularly in areas such as communications donor relations project and partnership management etc. Preferably within the UAE or across the GCC.
• Knowledge of the UAEs operational context government entities partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• Experience in resource mobilization and donor coordination including drafting proposals progress reports and briefing documents in both English and Arabic.
• Experience in communication coordination and liaison with external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate strong analytical skills with experience in highlighting media articles and relevant local developments and providing timely insightful briefings on such.
• Ability to adapt to evolving responsibilities and perform additional duties as required.
• Computer and IT skills (Microsoft 365).
• Proficiency in English and Arabic is a mandatory requirement both verbal and written.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to sit for a written test and interview.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level).

Employment Type: Full‑Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1

Functional clearance: This position doesnt require a functional clearance.

• Change Management
• Access Control System
• Customer Service
• B2C
• Civil Quality Control
• Broadcast

Accountability Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Empowering & building trust Innovation & creativity Managing resource Organizational awareness Political awareness Stakeholder management Teamwork & collaboration