Senior External Relations Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which was established in 195

• The organization is dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees and displaced persons worldwide. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 employees. Its mission is to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, and to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country. UNHCR's work is guided by the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, and it strives to provide protection and assistance to those in need, advocating for durable solutions to displacement.

Job Overview:
The Senior External Relations Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the management of external relations activities within the UNHCR office. This position is directly supervised by the External Relations Officer or another professional staff member, depending on the office's staffing structure. The incumbent is responsible for organizing visits from foreign delegations, donors, and media representatives, ensuring that these visits are well-coordinated and informative. The role also involves drafting reports and materials for external partners, providing regular briefings, and maintaining effective communication with various stakeholders. The Senior External Relations Assistant is expected to assist in developing and implementing UNHCR's social media strategy, conceptualizing and pitching stories for the organization's global website. This position requires a proactive approach to managing risks and seizing opportunities that impact the office's objectives, ensuring that all activities align with UNHCR's core values and regulatory framework.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior External Relations Assistant include: drafting briefing notes, press releases, bulletins, reports, and newsletters; preparing public information materials as needed; facilitating and accompanying visits of foreign delegations, partner NGOs, donors, and media to refugee camps; drafting and translating routine correspondence and texts; assisting with the development and implementation of UNHCR's social media strategy; ensuring the availability of public information materials such as fact sheets and brochures; organizing visibility events like World Refugee Day; compiling thematic reports and situation reports; reviewing media daily to keep the office informed of local developments; providing information on UNHCR's activities to external partners; responding to media queries and incoming correspondence; supporting risk identification and management; and performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Senior External Relations Assistant position include a minimum of two years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or one year of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Essential functional skills include drafting and documentation, computer literacy, and interpretation. Candidates should possess strong digital literacy, including proficiency with website content management systems and social media tools. Excellent writing abilities, strong organizational skills, and the ability to monitor and analyze media are also essential. Candidates should demonstrate flexibility, initiative, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team. High standards of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity are crucial, along with discretion in handling confidential information.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Senior External Relations Assistant position should have a High School Diploma as a minimum educational requirement. A Bachelor’s degree or higher in fields such as International Relations, Journalism, Political Science, or Communication Media is preferred. Relevant certifications or licenses in these areas are considered essential for the role, particularly those related to communication and media.

Experience:
The level of experience required for this position includes a minimum of two years of relevant experience for candidates with a High School Diploma, or one year of relevant experience for those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Previous experience in UN or UNHCR contexts is desirable, as is completion of UNHCR learning programs or specific training relevant to the functions of the position. Candidates should have a demonstrated understanding of UNHCR’s mission and role within the UN system, as well as knowledge or interest in refugee protection and asylum issues.

Languages:
For this position, knowledge of English is mandatory, and candidates should also be familiar with the UN working language of the duty station if it is not English. For General Service jobs, knowledge of English and/or the UN working language is required. Knowledge of another relevant UN language is considered desirable.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified at the GS5 grade level and is a regular assignment with a target start date of February 15, 202

• Candidates must be Australian nationals or have legal working status in Australia. The role is full-time and requires the incumbent to be physically based in Canberra, working in the office. A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered, and candidates are encouraged to visit the International Civil Service Commission portal for information on UN salaries and allowances. UNHCR emphasizes diversity and encourages qualified female applicants to apply, ensuring equal career opportunities for all employees. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse, and all staff members are expected to contribute to a safe and respectful working environment.