External Relations Associate

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family

UNOPS LICA6

2025-09-01

August 11, 2025

1. General Background and Operational Context

Under the mandate entrusted by the UN General Assembly, UNHCR is the UN agency tasked to work with States to protect and assist in finding durable solutions for asylum seekers, refugees, and stateless persons. As a State Party to the Refugee and Stateless Conventions, the Philippines has a generally favourable protection environment for asylum seekers, refugees, and stateless persons. UNHCR in the Philippines works with authorities, duty bearers, other stakeholders, and the people it works with and for to ensure that asylum seekers, refugees, stateless persons, and populations at risk of statelessness have access to protection mechanisms, assistance and services, and durable solutions that would allow them to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.

In order to promote awareness concerning issues among the forcibly displaced and stateless persons, there is a need to establish and maintain a consistent engagement with partners from the various sectors. Such engagement will include the application of different approaches through donor relations and through a strengthened communications strategy. In this regard, the External Relations Associate will be expected to render support in strengthening coordination between external partners, donors and UNHCR. The External Relations Associate will also provide support to the Executive Office, particularly in engaging with stakeholders and facilitating external communications. It will also be expected that the incumbent will help in planning in the area of communications, support advocacy, awareness-raising through all media forms such as digital platforms. It is for this reason that familiarity of the operation’s context on refugees, statelessness and internally displaced persons is important to this function.

The External Relations Associate will assist in formulating and communicating UNHCR positions on protection, assistance, and inclusion of forcibly displaced, stateless and persons at risk of statelessness; providing inputs on briefing notes, talking points, and position papers for relevant discussions with all stakeholders. She/He will also assist in the preparations for high level events, including meetings with the Governments of Japan and Philippines and dialogues with key stakeholders and partners.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Following the success of earlier initiatives, UNHCR, the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), and partners with funding support from the Japan Government, will continue the implementation of birth registration initiative covering 50 municipalities in BARMM from 2023 to 2025. The initiative seeks to provide technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of the identified priority municipalities in formulating a participatory strategy in addressing the gap on birth registration. This includes provision of support to the priority municipalities through digitization and capacity building for relevant stakeholders and key duty bearers. In addition, advocacy activities on the importance of birth registration will also be carried out with active engagement and participation of youth groups and key duty bearers. This will be carried out to ensure sustainability of the initiative.

Furthermore, UNHCR aims to reinforce efforts to prevent deterioration of the protection space for Sama Bajau and unregistered children within the context of forcible displacement due to armed conflict as well as complement the normalization efforts of the Government through birth registration of former combatants. This will also ensure sustainability of the efforts initiated based on the below assumption that all implementations will be designed and implemented in partnership with the local government units, in consultation with representatives of all sectors of the target communities (e.g., community leaders, women, youth, children, people with special needs). This is also in line with the key protection principle of meaningful community participation and empowerment.

The External Relations Associate who will render support to the Project team by providing assistance in formulating and communicating UNHCR positions on protection, assistance, and inclusion of population at risk of statelessness; providing inputs on briefing notes, talking points, and position papers for relevant discussions with all relevant stakeholders should have years of relevant experience in exercising functions in said capacity. It is desired that the candidate will have relevant experience in organizing high level events, including meetings with the Government and dialogues with key stakeholders and partners. Familiarity of the statelessness issues in Mindanao is desired.. Since public information work will also be an important component to be delivered by the incumbent of this position, skills in managing and using all forms of media, video editing and designing publication materials are desirable. Having completed a degree in Journalism, Communication Arts, Mass Communications and other field of discipline will also be an advantage for the candidate.



3. Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide background briefings to local and international media.
• Keep track of evolving issues concerning persons of concern to be able to suggest stories and topics for the media to cover.
• Provide daily briefings on local developments to the Head of Office and ensure that briefing materials from other offices are available.
• Accompany visits of Donors and the media, giving appropriate briefings, commentaries and prepare briefing material for visitors.
• Establish contacts with local organizations to promote general interest and understanding of Forcibly displaced and statelessness issues
• Ensure that the office is kept informed of local developments which may have a political or operational impact on the office's activities.
• May be required to compile information and SitReps received from the Field Offices and/or sections within the Office and consolidate into weekly/monthly/quarterly report.
• Advise the Head of Office of local aspects of external relations policies.
• Liaise with external partners and local organizations on behalf of UNHCR.
• Produce reports and briefings for internal and external partners.
• Provide high-level administrative support to the supervisor, including calendar management, meeting coordination, document preparation, communication handling, travel arrangements, stakeholder liaison, and briefing material preparation.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience
with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Certificates and/or Licenses
Political Sciences Social Sciences International Relations
Journalism Communication
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Computer skills (in MS office) including advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, data management, etc). Excellent communication and strong interpersonal skills

Desirable Qualifications

Portfolio of Work: Ability to present a sample portfolio demonstrating experience in communications, including content developed for social media platforms and/or traditional media formats (e.g., press releases, newsletters, media kits).

Contextual Knowledge: Strong understanding of the geopolitical, cultural, and socio-economic context of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), including key stakeholders and regional dynamics.

Stakeholder Engagement: Proven experience in managing external stakeholder relationships, including government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and media representatives.

Functional Skills

• IT-Computer Literacy

CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community
CO-Drafting and Documentation
DM-Data Management
PG-Programme Analysis
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Accountability
• Communication
• Organizational Awareness
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Client & Result Orientation
• Analytical Thinking
• Planning and Organizing
• Stakeholder Management

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.

Remuneration:

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances, and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at: http://icsc.un.org

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing, or any other fees).

UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) at inspector@unhcr.org through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.

Standard Job Description

• 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 G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
Political Sciences Social Sciences International Relations
Journalism Communication
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills
IT-Web Content Management
CO-Drafting and Documentation
TI-Interpretation
IT-Computer Literacy
(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.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Education

Certifications

Communication - Other, International Relations - Other, Journalism - Other, Political Science - Other, Social Sciences - Other

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No