Assistant External Relations Officer

C

Family

Family

NOA

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2024-01-16

January 27, 2024

Assistant External Relations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The incumbent is closely supervised on issues concerning external relations and public information by the External Relations Officer or the Representative who gives regular guidance and advice to the incumbent. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units in a country office/ operation.
External contacts are generally with a broad range of officials from national and international institutions, media or general public 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 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
– Assist the management in dealing with 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 planning and organizing communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR s operations from external partners (e.g. the general public, governments, partners, the media, academia and persons of concern).
– Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide accurate information by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and missions.
– Assist the 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 persons of concern.
– Participate when requested in the inter-agency cooperation and communication strategies, initiatives and tools.
– 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.
– 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 and other activities to promote a better understanding of UNHCR¿s activities and accomplishments by the general public and/or organized groups.
– Support the management of media relations by, inter alia, drafting responses to direct queries, draft press releases and organizing regular briefings and visits to country operations.
– Organize press briefings for external parties as required.
– Organize the distribution of UNHCR publications and the provision of materials to various institutions and individuals.
– Produce reports for donor agencies as required.

– 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 P1/NOA – 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Political Sciences Social Sciences, International Relations
Journalism Communication or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Excellent knowledge of local institution, politics and culture.

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
IT-Web Content Management
CO-Drafting and Documentation
(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.

– Under the direct supervision of the Head of field Office and with the technical support by the Senior Ext Rels Officer in Amman, the Asst External Relations Officer in Azraq is expected to support the external engagement through reporting, content production (multimedia), media relations, field visit arrangements and awareness raising in order to continue highlighting the plight and rights of refugees in Jordan, UNHCR’s assistance and the opportunities arising from their presence for the Jordanian society and economy.
– S/he should be able to analyze the environment and stakeholders, build and nurture relationships with external stakeholders from Goodwill Ambassadors to donors
– S/he should be able to plan strategically and organize his/her work well against often tight deadlines.
– Strong technical skills in drafting in English as well as experience in multimedia production are essential. Arabic proficiency would be an asset.
– The working conditions at the field level are challenging, therefore the incumbent should be flexible, mature and have exceptionally good inter-personal skills to ensure a solid team spirit.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

The Security Level for Amman and the rest of the country is assessed at Level 1 (MINIMAL), except the northeast Jordanian Syrian border area, where it is assessed at Level 3 (MODERATE). Road traffic accidents remain a pertinent risk to staff. Vehicle travel is difficult at certain times due to adverse weather conditions, low visibility and/or heavy traffic.

Nature of Position:

FO Azraq cover three areas including Azraq camp, Emirati Jordanian Camp (EJC) and Azraq town. Azraq refugee camp was opened on 30th April 2014; however, the office was established in August 2013. Azraq refugee camp is the largest camp in size, but it is second to Zaatari camp in terms of number of refugees. Azraq camp is currently hosting approximately 44,000 refugees. Key priority areas for the UNHCR FO Azraq refugee response focus on protection, Basic Need and livelihood, health care, education, camp management, and shelter & energy. There are numerous of activities under the Assistant External Relation Officer of FO Azraq including the external engagement through reporting, content production (multimedia), media relations, field visit arrangements and awareness raising to continue highlighting the plight and rights of refugees in Jordan, UNHCR’s assistance and the opportunities arising from their presence for the Jordanian society and economy.

Living and Working Conditions:

Azraq: Azraq town is the administrative capital of Azraq district of Zarqa governorate and is located approximately 100 kilometers east from the capital Amman and 34 Kilometers east of Azraq Refugee Camp. The town is the designated duty station, categorized as (C) duty station for staff assigned to the camp where the office is located.

Azraq refugee camp is the largest camp in size, but it is second to Zaatari camp in terms of number of refugees. Azraq camp registered 54,000 people of concern and currently hosts approximately 35,000 refugees. The camp has specific protection issues due to the housing of refugees in a encampment area requiring daily negotiations with authorities on sensitive issues to improve conditions is required.

With UNHCR’s de-centralization policy, Azraq contract holders are required to make their own transport arrangements to the camp as their duty station contractually is Azraq town. Compared to other governorates, working conditions in Azraq are harsh.

The camp environment is semi-desert where the winters are very cold with heavy snowfalls and torrential rains at times and very hot/dry with extreme daily temperature fluctuations during the summer. 

The working conditions at the field level are challenging, therefore the incumbent should be flexible, mature and have very good inter-personal skills to ensure a solid team spirit.

Within Azraq there are two health facilities open to the public and UN staff. Both facilities are able to stabilize patients though for any trauma or other serious medical emergencies, patients are transferred by ambulance to Zarqa or Amman. According to local authorities, Azraq is relatively free from criminality and forms of armed violence.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Web Content Management

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Communication, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Journalism, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance