Public Relations (PR) Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. Established in 1950, UNHCR operates in over 120 countries, with nearly 90% of its staff working in the field. The organization aims to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and it strives to provide protection and assistance to those in need.

Job Overview:
The Public Relations (PR) Manager will be responsible for managing the distribution of PR content and messaging across various media channels and stakeholder platforms. This role is crucial for ensuring that UNHCR's narratives, campaigns, and public information are disseminated consistently, timely, and impactfully to key audiences. The PR Manager will work within the Global Communications Service (GCS) and will be involved in defining key narratives, leading flagship events, and enhancing brand recognition. The position requires a strategic approach to communications, leveraging media partnerships and engaging with targeted audiences to advance UNHCR's strategic communications and public engagement objectives. The role will also involve providing expert advisory support to regional and national communications teams, addressing their specific public relations needs, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The PR Manager will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Developing and implementing comprehensive audience-driven public relations strategies for key projects and moments, ensuring alignment with UNHCR's global communications priorities.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with journalists, editors, and media houses, and coordinating with external PR agencies as needed.
• Managing the dissemination of press releases, opinion pieces, and campaign outputs across multiple channels, ensuring consistency of messaging.
• Strategizing and securing feature stories and long-lead media opportunities for key individuals and partners.
• Monitoring media pickup, reach, engagement, and sentiment, and working with the GCS Analytics team on KPIs and performance reports.
• Tracking media trends and audience behaviors to identify innovative opportunities for collaboration and partnership.
• Advising GCS leadership on optimal timing and channels for communication product dissemination.
• Supporting training and mentoring of communications staff on PR distribution best practices.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in journalism, communications, international relations, public relations, or a related field, along with a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the media and communications sector. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree with 12 years of work experience is acceptable. Candidates should demonstrate a strong focus on developing and executing PR strategies for international organizations or global brands, with proven ability to build and sustain media relationships and secure high-profile coverage. Strong project management skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders are essential. Candidates should also have experience in crisis communications and managing multi-channel dissemination under tight deadlines.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in journalism, communications, international relations, public relations, or a related field is required. A Bachelor's degree is acceptable if accompanied by additional years of relevant work experience. The educational background should reflect a strong foundation in communication principles and practices, as well as an understanding of international relations and public engagement strategies.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the media and communications sector, with a strong focus on developing and executing PR strategies for international organizations, NGOs, or global brands. This experience should include building and sustaining media relationships, securing high-profile coverage, and managing crisis communications. Candidates should also demonstrate strong project management skills and the ability to handle complex, fast-moving projects effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Desirable languages include French, Arabic, Spanish, or another UN language, which would be beneficial for the role and enhance communication with diverse audiences.

Additional Notes:
This position is a part-time individual contractor role, home-based, and is expected to start as soon as possible until December 31, 202

• The role requires 3-4 days of work per week. The position does not require a functional clearance and is classified as remote. The PR Manager will be expected to engage in strategic communications planning and implementation, media relationship building, content distribution, and quality assurance, among other responsibilities.