Director of External Relations and Communications

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East, established to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. With over 30,000 staff members, UNRWA operates in five areas of operation, focusing on delivering education, health care, social services, and emergency assistance to some of the most vulnerable communities in the region. The agency is committed to helping Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development despite the challenging circumstances they face. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual contributions. For more information about UNRWA, please visit their official website at https://www.unrwa.org.

Job Overview:
The Director of External Relations and Communications will play a pivotal role in shaping and implementing UNRWA's communication strategies aimed at enhancing the agency's positioning and branding. This position requires a highly skilled individual who can develop impactful integrated communications tailored for both external and internal audiences. The incumbent will lead the implementation of external communications strategies, ensuring the production and promotion of high-quality content that resonates with Palestine refugees and UNRWA staff. As the chief spokesperson for the agency, the Director will manage media relations, produce media lines, and monitor media coverage to mitigate reputational risks. The role also involves driving digital engagement efforts, overseeing content dissemination on institutional portals, and ensuring the protection of UNRWA's historical archives. The Director will represent UNRWA within the UN system and collaborate with various stakeholders to support resource mobilization and outreach efforts. This position requires a commitment to excellence in communication and a strategic approach to managing the agency's public image.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement Agency-wide integrated communications strategies that support UNRWA's positioning, branding, advocacy, and resource mobilization efforts.
• Lead the Communications Division and coordinate with field offices to ensure effective communication strategies are executed.
• Serve as the head of media relations and chief spokesperson, managing spokespersons in various languages and producing media lines.
• Monitor media coverage and reputational risks, advising the Commissioner-General on media engagement strategies.
• Drive digital engagement initiatives, aligning with UNRWA's fundraising efforts and overseeing content production for websites and social media.
• Ensure high-quality standards for all communications products, including adherence to corporate visual identity and stylistic guidelines.
• Combat misinformation by tracking and responding to unfounded claims in collaboration with relevant departments.
• Represent UNRWA in external forums and provide strategic communications support to various functional units.
• Build and lead a professional team within the Communications Division, developing operational plans and managing resources effectively. 1
• Ensure the inclusion of historical archives in Agency-wide measures to protect UNRWA’s legacy.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in media, journalism, international relations, public relations, communications, or a related discipline.
• Coursework or training in press relations management is essential.
• Proven ability to manage the UNRWA brand and engage with media networks effectively.
• Strong public speaking and writing skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly.
• Experience in crisis communication and digital engagement is required.
• Familiarity with general management and international relations is necessary.
• Experience in managing diverse teams of professionals is essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as media, journalism, international relations, public relations, or communications. Additional coursework or training in press relations management is also required to ensure candidates are well-equipped to handle the responsibilities of the position.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in information and communication issues, including direct involvement with international and regional media in a senior capacity. At least seven years of this experience must be at a senior international level. Candidates who are not currently serving as international staff members in the UN Common System must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside of UNRWA and their country of citizenship. Experience in crisis communication, digital engagement, and managing diverse teams is also required.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, with a required proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. While there are no specific desirable languages, prior experience working with the UN and proficiency in Arabic is considered advantageous. French is also recognized as a working language of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Notes:
This position is a UN Regular Budget post with a contract duration of 2 years, which may be extended based on performance and organizational needs. Applications must be submitted through UNRWA's online e-recruitment system, and late applications will not be accepted. The agency is committed to achieving gender parity and encourages applications from under-represented groups. UNRWA provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. The agency maintains a non-smoking work environment and does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.