C 

Family

Family 

GS5 

General Service 

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment 

No 

2024-02-01 

January 6, 2024

Senior External Relations Assistant Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior External Relations Assistant normally functions under the direct supervision of External Relations Officer or another professional staff depending on staffing structure of the Office. The incumbent assists in the management of external relations activities of the Office. He/she plays a key role in organising the visits of foreign delegations, donors, press and media, providing regular briefings and drafting reports/materials for external partners. He/she may also receive advice and operational support from the External Relations/Public Information Units at the Country Office /HQ. 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 – Draft briefing notes, press releases, bulletins, reports, newsletters and prepare any other public information material, as required – Facilitate and accompany visits of foreign delegations, partner NGOs, donors and the media to refugee camps – Draft and translate routine correspondence and texts. – Assist with developing and implementing UNHCR¿s social media strategy ¿ conceptualize and pitch stories for UNHCR¿s global website. – Ensure that public information materials including fact sheets, information brochures, briefing materials from the Branch Office, etc. are available. – Organize visibility events (e.g. World Refugee Day) and liaise with partners, refugees and local communities on implementation. – May be required to assist in compilation of weekly, monthly, annual/quarterly thematic reports, situations reports etc. – Review media daily and ensure the office is kept informed of local developments. – Provide information on UNHCR¿s activities to external partners. – Respond to non-complex media queries and incoming correspondence. – Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For G5 – 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable Certificates and/or Licenses International Relations, Journalism Political Science Communication Media (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified Desirable Previous experience in UN/UNHCR. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position. Knowledge of another relevant UN language. HQ and Field experience with UNHCR or with other humanitarian organizations Functional Skills TI-Interpretation IT-Computer Literacy 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. 

Senior External Relations Assistant must have excellent communications skills, analytical and drafting abilities and the capacity to think and plan strategically and work independently, as well as the political awareness needed work in a complex and sensitive political and inter-agency environment. 

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English,

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Senior External Relations Assistant will effectively contribute to the External Relations’ Unit’s objective of strengthening communications, public outreach, donor relations strategy, with close collaboration between teams in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar, as well as the Regional Bureau and HQs. Bangladesh responded to the massive influx of Rohingya refugees with a remarkable generosity. As the crisis enters well into its seventh year, however, public concerns about the crisis becoming protracted are rising. An emerging narrative also stigmatizes the Rohingya by linking them to criminality, insecurity and potential extremism, as well as economic competitors and an environmental threat.

The Senior External Relations Assistant will support the team in developing and delivering the external engagement strategy which aims at strengthening public understanding and support for refugees and UNHCR’s work in Bangladesh, drawing upon global good practice, including the effective use of social media. UNHCR’s operations in Bangladesh have received strong backing from donors since the onset of the crisis. While the Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis have, over the past years, been well-funded, the operation is facing shortfalls and risks becoming unsustainable as donor support diminish, particularly as Government policy does not facilitate economic inclusion for the Rohingya, who remain dependent on humanitarian assistance. In this challenging environment, the Senior External Relations Assistant will support the external relations in developing a creative and effective resource mobilization strategy that maintains and broadens support for both UNHCR and the JRP, consistent with UNHCR’s coordination leadership role. In collaboration with the Communications, Donor Relations and Programme Units, as well as the technical unit, the incumbent will support the production of resource mobilization and fundraising material, including proposals and reports.

Living and Working Conditions:

The position is based in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, which is the centre of national government, trade and culture and home to over 15 million people, making it the fourth-most densely populated city in the world.

Bangladesh has a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by wide seasonal variations in rainfall, high temperatures and humidity. There are three distinct seasons: a hot, humid summer from March to June; a warm, rainy monsoon season from June to October; and a cool, dry winter from October to March.

Dhaka is a C category duty station with 3 years of Standard Assignment Length. It is a family duty station, and educational facilities from primary to secondary school are available in Dhaka. There are some private hospitals in Dhaka which address simple sicknesses. Vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis virus is strongly recommended.

UNDSS-cleared hotels are available, with the rates differing depending on the availability and season. MOSS compliant apartments are available, UNDSS recommends that international staff reside in the diplomatic area of Dhaka, where the UNHCR office is also located. Leisure and recreational facilities are available.

Banks and ATM machines are also available in Dhaka. Most major credit and debit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops. Foreign currency can be exchanged easily in banks and exchange houses.

The current operational circumstances require frequently long working hours. This is a stressful work context, making a capacity for self-care critical.

The security level system in Bangladesh is level 3 moderate. Although security is generally acceptable, given the current situation in the area, no movement on highways at night is allowed. Walking and jogging on the street and using rickshaws and taxi companies not cleared by UNDSS are not recommended. Crowded local markets should be avoided.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, TI-Interpretation 

Certifications

Communication – Other, International Relations – Other, Journalism – Other, Media – Other, Political Science – Other 

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance