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 mission of UNHCR is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. The organization operates in over 130 countries, employing more than 18,000 staff members globally. UNHCR's work is guided by the principles of international protection and humanitarian assistance, aiming to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country. The organization also strives to promote durable solutions for refugees and displaced persons, including voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement.

Job Overview:
The Senior External Relations Assistant plays a crucial role in managing the external relations activities of the UNHCR office in Tegucigalpa. This position involves direct supervision 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 impactful. The role requires drafting various materials such as briefing notes, press releases, and reports to keep external partners informed about UNHCR's activities. Additionally, the Senior External Relations Assistant is expected to assist in developing and implementing UNHCR's social media strategy, ensuring that the organization's presence is strong and engaging across digital platforms. The position also involves liaising with local communities and partners to organize visibility events, such as World Refugee Day, which are essential for raising awareness about refugee issues. Overall, the role is integral to enhancing UNHCR's visibility and effectiveness in advocating for the rights and needs of refugees and displaced persons in Honduras.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior External Relations Assistant include: drafting briefing notes, press releases, bulletins, reports, and newsletters; 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; organizing visibility events and liaising with partners, refugees, and local communities; 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 non-complex media queries and incoming correspondence; supporting the identification and management of risks; 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 skills include drafting and documentation, computer literacy, and interpretation. Candidates should also possess strong communication skills and organizational awareness. Previous experience in UN/UNHCR is desirable, as is completion of UNHCR learning programs or specific training relevant to the functions of the position. Knowledge of another relevant UN language is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a High School Diploma as a minimum educational requirement. A Bachelor’s degree in fields such as International Relations, Journalism, Political Science, or Communication Media is preferred. Certificates and licenses in these areas are considered essential for the role, as they demonstrate the candidate's qualifications and readiness for the responsibilities associated with the position.

Experience:
The level of experience required for this position is at least 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. Experience working with government actors in protocol, international cooperation, and project development is highly valued. Additionally, experience in drafting talking points, speeches, and agendas for high-level missions is considered key for success in this role.

Languages:
Knowledge of English and Spanish is mandatory for this position, with an expected overall ability of at least B2 level in both languages. For General Service jobs, knowledge of English and/or the UN working language of the duty station is required. Familiarity with local languages is also advantageous, as it can enhance communication with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a General Service role at the GS5 grade level. The contract is a regular assignment with a target start date of January 16, 202

• Candidates must be legally present in Honduras at the time of application, recruitment, and hire. Only Honduran citizens or candidates with a valid work permit will be considered eligible. The application process requires candidates to submit their applications through the Workday system, and CVs sent via email will not be accepted. The recruitment process may include a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, and all applications will be treated with strict confidentiality. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging candidates from various backgrounds to apply.