B

Family

Family

NOD

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2025-04-01

December 17, 2024

Senior External Relations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior External Relations Officer normally reports to the Representative or Deputy Representative. The incumbent has direct supervisory responsibility for External Relations staff.
External contacts are predominantly with partners, media, government, embassies and other international organizations in the country 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
– Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments in the area of forced displacement and humanitarian operations.
– Through a consultative process with UNHCR colleagues (Programme, Protection, etc.) with external actors and partners, develop and implement protection and assistance strategy, with clearly articulated objectives, timelines and outputs.
– Implement a 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).
– Articulate all issues pertaining to the needs of the populations of concern and the strategies in place to respond to their needs.
– Ensure that the UNHCR priorities are given adequate weight in the documentation of the UN Country Team.
– Maintain a close dialogue with and provide accurate information to donors by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and donor missions. Prepare reports as appropriate.
– In accordance with the operational context and in close cooperation with headquarters, access new and non-traditional funding sources, as appropriate, including private sector and humanitarian pooled/basket funds (e.g. Central Emergency Response Fund, Human Security Fund).
– Through a consultative process with headquarters, disseminate 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 in the country operation.
– Participate in inter-agency cooperation and communication strategies, initiatives and tools.
– Support senior management in representing UNHCR in the UN Country Team and other UN coordination fora.
– Support, and participate in, local UN integrated missions, Inter-Agency Standing Committee, Emergency Relief Coordinator and Cluster communication strategies and initiatives.
– Manage the information flow 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.
– Consolidate information on UNHCR’s country operations and identify appropriate messages for campaigns and appeals.
– Coordinate the drafting of, and/or draft, situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
– Develop targeted communications strategies and media packages for situations and/or activities that require focused attention.
– Identify and target major events and initiatives (e.g. commercial, cultural, political and sports) to promote the work of UNHCR.
– Manage media relations by, inter alia, responding to direct queries, publishing press releases and organizing regular briefings and visits to country operations.
– Approve fund-raising messages.
– Approve any relevant expenditure for the implementation of fund-raising activities.
– Decide which donors to approach and which operations or activities to prioritize for special fundraising appeals.
– Approve the communications strategy.
– Approve budgets and expenditures for communications activities.
– Clear external relations/communication products and tools.
– Represent UNHCR fund-raising and communication priorities in inter-agency initiatives and fora.

– Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Political Sciences; Social Sciences; International Relations; Journalism; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience in humanitarian operations in a field environment.
Excellent knowledge of local institution, politics and culture.

Desirable
Good knowledge of UNHCR operations both at Headquarters and in the Field.
Fund-raising and programming/programme management experience.
Experience of working with social media.

Functional Skills
IT-Web Content Management
IT-Computer Literacy
ER-Inter-Agency External Relations
ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination
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.

Familiarity with displacement and development issues. Experience working with the government, intergovernmental, private sector foundations, and donors, and in external engagement. Ability to read a wide range of documents, synthesise and provide relevant advice and support to the Senior Management. Programme management experience would be an added advantage. Experience in the tracking of funding inflows. Ability to work independently and lead teams while engaging with technical and programme teams during various processes in resource mobilisation. Demonstrated experience when coordinating with partners and donors supporting the UNHCR Kenya Multi-Year Strategy. Experience of working with synergies between the humanitarian-development nexus. Ability to work independently with limited supervision and deliver high-quality products. Demonstrated ability to think creatively and to explore, harness and translate innovative concepts into relevant practical approaches for programming, policy, and advocacy purposes. Demonstrated ability to break down complex processes and communicate these needs to partners, donors and relevant stakeholders.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Nature of Position:

Kenya remains the fifth largest host country in Africa and the thirteenth biggest asylum country in the world. The total number of refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya stands at approx. 800,000, in addition to some 8,000 stateless persons. UNHCR Kenya Operation maintains three main offices as follows: Representation Office in Nairobi, Two sub-offices in Kakuma and Dadaab. A Joint Refugee Service Centre has also been established, operated jointly with the Department of Refugee Services, to provide all protection services to affected populations in Nairobi.

In line with the Global Compact for Refugees (GCR) and the 2023-2026 UNHCR Kenya Multi-Year Strategy, the operation will continue to focus on further expanding the protection of refugees and promoting solutions as well as to continue working on the activities/targets partially by partners and through direct implementation and in close coordination with other stakeholders.

The Senior External Relations Officer will report to the Representative and work closely with all the units focusing on Operations, Administration, Finance and Development. In addition to the duties listed in the Job Description/ToR, the incumbent will also manage and coordinate fundraising efforts for the UNHCR Kenya Office, lead specific fundraising opportunities as assigned including negotiating, contracting, recording of funds, follow-up on implementation and reporting. Coordinate various missions for government, intergovernmental, private sector, and other donors to the Sub-Offices. The incumbent will draft proposals and reports against various funds and grants for the UNHCR Kenya Office, liaise with the Sub-Offices when developing proposals and drafting reports to ensure information is factual, coherent, and in line with contractual obligations promptly. The incumbent will draft briefing kits and notes, key documents, and communication for the External Relations unit and in support of the Executive Office, support with analysis of data using MS systems for various reports. Work closely with the Communications team and track donor communications and visibility requirements. The incumbent will provide training and mentoring to colleagues in the unit and those in other departments and represent the office in various events and functions.

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, ER-Inter-Agency External Relations, ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Web Content Management

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, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements