Deadline for Applications March 17, 2026 Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based) H (no hardship) Family Type (not applicable for home-based) Family Staff Member / Affiliate Type CONTR International Senior Level Professional Target Start Date 2026-04-01 Terms of Reference Requesting office (hiring office): Global Communications Service, DER Title: Public Relations (PR) Manager Purpose of project (summary): To manage the distribution of PR content and messaging across media channels and stakeholder platforms. Part-time Individual Contractor Contract, to start as soon as possible until 31 December 2026, 3-4 days a week, homebased. DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENGAGED INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTHOLDER General Background of Project or Assignment, Operational Context: UNHCR is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. Despite deep cuts in humanitarian funding this year, UNHCR remains present in over 120 countries with nearly 90 per cent of its staff working in the field. The organization seeks to engage an expert Public Relations (PR) Manager to strategically manage the distribution of PR content and messaging across media channels and stakeholder platforms. The role is critical in ensuring consistent, timely, and impactful dissemination of organizational narratives, campaigns, and public information with key audiences. Based within the Global Communications Service (GCS), Division for External Relations (DER), the Strategic Communications Unit seeks to provide direction and coordination for UNHCRs global communications priorities by helping define key narratives and messaging; leading flagship events and advocacy moments; and enhancing brand recognition. Through audience and data analysis, strategic media partnerships, and tailored messaging, the team delivers communications that strengthen visibility, deepen engagement, and advance advocacy. The PR Manager will work closely with teams across GCS, including the Creative Section, the Spokespersons and Goodwill Ambassador (GWA) teams, to support the execution of communications strategies. The role will liaise particularly closely with the Content Creator Engagement and Creative Collaborations Officer in the Creative Section on overlapping areas of work. The role will leverage existing and new media partners, Goodwill Ambassadors and external platforms to engage and influence targeted audiences, while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. This role is a creative, externally facing role, looking for opportunities, media partnerships, ideas, stunts and campaigns to advance UNHCRs strategic communications, public engagement, and fundraising objectives in 2026. The work will focus on key projects and moments that require strategic pitching and placement across hard and soft news outlets, specialised media and podcasts. The role will also provide expert, on-demand advisory support to regional and national communications teams, addressing their specific public relations needs. Purpose and Scope of Assignment: Under the supervision of the Head of Strategic Communications, the consultant will provide overarching strategic PR and media partnerships support to the work of GCS. This includes delivering external communication strategies and/or the development/execution of global media and PR strategies/plans. Responsibilities span partnerships pitching, media pitching, drafting communication materials/guidelines, engaging and forging partnerships with media/communications platforms, and external partners for reach, influence and engagement beyond UNHCRs channels. These outputs will support UNHCRs key strategic communication, public engagement and fundraising goals. This will focus on global media/communications, including both hard news media covering displacement and humanitarian situations as well as lifestyle, sports, entertainment, arts, legal and specialist outlets. The Public Relations (PR) Manager will be responsible for the following: – Strategic communications Planning and Implementation: Develop and implement comprehensive audience-driven public relations (PR) strategies for key projects and moments. Ensure all strategies align with UNHCRs global communications priorities and organizational objectives. – Media relationship building and pitching: Identify priority media outlets, platforms and partner channels aligned with target audiences. Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, media houses, and syndication platforms. Coordinate with external PR agencies or vendors as needed. – Content Distribution and Coordination: Manage the dissemination of specific press releases, opinion pieces and campaign outputs across multiple channels, ensuring alignment and consistency of messaging. Coordinate embargoes, exclusives, and targeted outreach. – Feature Placement and Partnerships: Proactively strategize and secure feature stories and long-lead media opportunities for key individuals and partners in priority markets. Liaise with other teams of the Global Communications Service (GCS), Division of External Relations(DER), and regional offices to ensure alignment and approvals. Identify and leverage podcasts opportunities, including guest appearances, coordinating interviews, and supporting development of UNHCR podcast content. – Quality Assurance and Monitoring: Ensure that all activities have clear objectives, approved messaging, if-asked lines, and measurable KPIs. Monitor media pickup, reach, engagement, and sentiment; work with the GCS Analytics team on KPIs and on the production of performance reports and insight. – Trend Analysis and Innovation: Track media trends, audience behaviours and emerging platforms relevant to PR distribution. Identify innovative opportunities for collaboration and partnership to amplify UNHCRs messaging authentically. – Leadership Advisory: Advise GCS leadership on optimal timing, channels, and formats for dissemination of communication products. – Capacity Building: Support training and mentoring of communications staff on PR distribution best practices. CANDIDATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS, SELECTION CRITERIA Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience:– Degree: Required – University Masters degree and 10 years work experience, or Bachelors Degree and 12 years of work experience in journalism, communications, international relations, public relations or related field. Minimum years of work experience (NOTE: candidates with less years of experience cannot be short-listed or recommended):Required:

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the media and communications sector, with a strong focus on developing and executing PR strategies for international organizations, NGOs, or global brands.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain media relationships and secure high-profile coverage;
• Deep, well established global network of senior editors, journalists, broadcasters, talent managers and PR decision-makers, consistently activating these relationships to secure media visibility and advance strategic communications goals.
• Proven experience in drafting external facing communications products and managing crisis communications and coordinating multi-channel dissemination under tight deadlines.
• Strong project management skills, including handling complex, fast-moving projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with multiple internal stakeholders to ensure timely approvals and alignment.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet multiple deadlines, and work effectively under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Proven experience in…