ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, is mandated to protect and assist men, women and children forced to flee their homes due to violence, conflict or persecution. UNHCR is dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced and stateless people. The Agency provides protection, shelter, food, water, medical care and other life-saving assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers around the world. The dream of most refugees is to return home. If and where possible, UNHCR helps refugees make this dream a reality. When refugees cannot go back home, we work to find solutions for them, to rebuild their lives in another country. Since its formation by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950, UNHCR has helped millions of refugees restart their lives and has received the Nobel Peace Prize twice.

JOB SUMMARY

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family

UNOPS LICA5

2024-08-15

August 9, 2024

Operational Context

Brazil is a signatory of the main international human rights instruments. Brazil is part of 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees and 1967 Protocol. Brazil enacted the refugee act Law 9.474/97, in effect since 23rd July 1997. The law contains the protection mechanism of the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol and incorporates the broader definition of the 1984 Cartagena Declaration the formulation “generalized violation of human rights” which applies to situations of generalized violence and armed conflict.

The flow of refugees and migrants from Venezuela has continued to increase in Brazil since 2014, however, after the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent Ordinances that provide for the disqualification of any requests for asylum made under these conditions, there has been an increase in the number of persons who access the Brazilian territory contrary to the provisions of the regulation. In this sense, the need for border monitoring activities and the possible impact of the closing of the land border on the population in need of international protection increases.

Since 2022, an increasing number of forcibly displaced people from other countries and regions, including Haitian, Cuban, Afghan and other extracontinental populations, are entering Brazil through various border states, including Roraima, Amazonas, Acre, and São Paulo, seeking humanitarian assistance.

The majority of refugees in Brazil have an urban profile and are formally granted access to social and economic rights such as health care, education and work, the latter of which remains the main challenge to refugees’ self-reliance.

UNHCR works with to ensure quality protection standards for refugees and asylum seekers, providing them with comprehensive complementary and sustainable solutions; and promoting save borders and emergency preparedness to better protect all people of concern.

In light of the above, this position will be instrumental to support the Office’s efforts in broadening engagement with external audiences, the donor community, partners, and other stakeholders.

Desirable Candidate Profile

Ideal candidates should possess strong coordination, communication, and negotiation skills. He/She should have experience in refugee protection and/or durable solutions. Experience in humanitarian and/or border contexts, as well as in mixed movements is an asset.

Education:
Degree in Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations, Humanities, Communications or a related field.

Required relevant job experience:
• Minimum of two years of experience working with refugees or vulnerable populations with specific needs.
• Experience engaging with public authorities, diplomatic missions, NGOs, UN agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the UN system would be considered as an asset.
• Strong writing and report-drafting skills in English and Portuguese.
• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), as well as Canvas / Trello and other design tools.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Portuguese is required. Knowledge of other UN languages, including Spanish and/or French would be considered as asset.

Additional desirable qualifications & competencies:
• Relevant job experience: Knowledge of and experience with budget management and programming; joint planning and coordination with partners; experience in planning and executing logistical procedures for guest travel and events.

Standard Job Description

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.

– 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 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.

Required Languages

English

,

Portuguese

,

Desired Languages

Spanish

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Education

Certifications

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

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No

How to Apply
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Good luck!