Deadline for Applications March 13, 2026 Hardship Level A (least hardship) Family Type Family Residential location (if applicable) Grade GS7 Staff Member / Affiliate Type General Service Reason Regular > Regular Assignment Target Start Date 2026-04-01 Standard Job Description Senior External Relations Associate Organizational Setting and Work Relationships 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 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 – Support UNHCR’s 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 UNHCR’s 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 UNHCR’s 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. Minimum Qualifications 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 Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism, Communication (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential: Not specified Desirable: Experience with event management. Demonstrated ability to work against tight deadlines. Functional Skills 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 (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. Desired Candidate Profile The ideal candidate is a strategic communicator and relationship builder who can effectively bridge external relations and donor relations to elevate UNHCRs visibility and impact across the Americas and in key global donor markets. They bring strong experience in crafting compelling narratives, donor visibility products, and communication materials that clearly articulate needs, demonstrate UNHCRs value added, and strengthen support from governments, the media, the public, and partners. The candidate must excel in coordinating across operations, HQ, and regional platforms, supporting donor and media briefings, high level missions, and inter agency engagement. They should be adept at producing high quality presentations, briefing kits, and funding proposal inputs, while staying abreast of regional funding trends and operational priorities. A proactive, collegial team member, they will play a key role in supporting the Senior External Relations Officer in…