JOB DESCRIPTION

Hardship Level

E (most hardship)

Family Type

Non Family

Family Type

Non FamilyDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

NOA

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2025-01-01

Deadline for Applications

July 16, 2025

Standard Job Description

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.

Desired Candidate Profile

The position of Associate External Relations Officer is critical to maintaining and strengthening the work of the external relations unit in its donor liaison, fundraising efforts, and advocacy. The Associate External Relations Officer reports to the Senior External Relations Officer.

The incumbent should have relevant experience working across donor relations, proposal drafting and submission, reporting, briefing donors, organizing field visits and missions, and preparing talking points and other briefing packs for the Representative and other senior officials. S/he will have a sound understanding of the inter-agency framework in Afghanistan, as well as humanitarian and basic human needs’ support across a variety of activities that focus on women and girls, including protection, shelter, and livelihood. The incumbent is expected to liaise frequently with donors, UN agencies, the private sector, and other relevant stakeholders; therefore, s/he should have strong advocacy and excellent communication skills, as well as proven experience in managing and supervising staff, budget, and resources.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

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:

Afghanistan has an estimated 3.22 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), 1.56 million IDP returnees, over 730,000 refugee returnees, and hosts around 35,000 refugees, requiring immediate protection and humanitarian assistance, as well as medium to long-term support. In 2024, an estimated 23.7 million people in Afghanistan – more than half of the country’s population – is estimated to require humanitarian assistance. The humanitarian crisis continues to be driven by economic regression, the aftermath of over forty years of conflict, and recurring environmental and natural disasters. In 2024, those in need include 15.8 million people anticipated to experience crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity, 20.8 million in need of protection services, and 21.1 million in need of WASH assistance, among others.

Poverty, food insecurity, and gaps in essential services are highest in rural areas, with women, children, the elderly, female-headed households, and persons with disabilities considered the most vulnerable.  Moreover, the impact of edicts issued by de facto authorities in Afghanistan has systematically eroded women’s rights, including access to employment, education, and freedom of movement. The impact of these bans on female participation in public, economic, and political life continues to have devastating and long-lasting consequences for the country and all people in need, but especially for women and girls.

Afghanistan is further highly susceptible to natural and climate-induced disasters, evidenced by the three 6.3 magnitude earthquakes that struck Herat in October 2023, as well as widespread flooding in May and June 2024, with both events leading to widespread destruction of public infrastructure, damage to homes, and loss of livelihoods. In tandem, returns from neighboring countries, specifically Pakistan and Iran, continue to be recorded, with more than 730,000 arrivals recorded from Pakistan alone since 15 September 2023. Facing severe economic decline, pervasive poverty, and persistent humanitarian needs over decades, the operational context requires multi-pronged approaches capable of targeting basic human needs including protection, livelihoods, shelter and health services, fostering of self-reliance, resilience, and pathways to durable solutions for affected communities.

In this context, UNHCR Afghanistan is delivering lifesaving humanitarian and protection assistance, as well as solutions-oriented initiatives to strengthen resilience and durable solutions outcomes. Interventions include strengthening of protection environments and access to protection services, distribution of emergency aid including core relief items and shelter, provision of long-term and durable shelter solutions, improving economic inclusion through livelihoods, and sustaining essential services. The participation and inclusion of women and girls in all stages of assistance delivery is prioritized within UNHCR’s work in Afghanistan.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Education

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

Certifications

Work Experience

Competencies

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

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an Eliminatory written test with a passing mark of 60%.

Functional clearance

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements