Grade

PR2

 

Professional

 

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

 

C

 

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2025-03-01

 

2026-02-28

 

April 23, 2025

 

Standard Job Description

Associate External Relations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Direct supervision is normally exercised by a (Snr) External Relations Officer or Representative who provides guidance on the applicable procedures. Advice may also be provided by relevant functional units at HQ. External contacts are with a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including inter alia, government, media, embassies, donors, UN agencies, NGOs and other national and international organizations, as well as general public on matters of importance to the Organization.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments in the area of forced displacement and humanitarian operations.
- Assist the implementation of a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR¿s operations from external partners (e.g. the general public, governments, partners, media, academia, NGOs, private sector and persons of concern).
- Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide relevant information on UNHCR operations and financial requirements by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and missions and responding to donors¿ requests for information on ad hoc basis.
- Through a consultative process with headquarters, disseminate information on UNHCR¿s global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement programmes and projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for persons of concern in the country operation.
- Assist in the coordination of the drafting of, situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
- Draft narrative and financial reports on contributions in compliance with specific donor requirements.
- Monitor earmarking level of funding for UNHCR Country operation and ensure appropriate visibility for donor contributions in compliance with UNHCR guidelines and specific donor requirements.
- Participate on behalf of the Representative and other supervisors in inter-agency cooperation and communication strategies, initiatives and tools.
- Assist in the management of information flows within the country operations by identifying priority matters, securing, analyzing and disseminating documentation and information to support country operations and corporate communication processes and priorities.
- Consolidate information on UNHCR¿s country operations and identify appropriate messages for campaigns and appeals.
- Propose events and initiatives (e.g. commercial, cultural, political and sports) to promote the work of UNHCR and take action as appropriate.
- Support the management of media relations by, inter alia, responding to direct queries, publishing press releases, handling interview requests and organizing regular briefings and visits to country operations.
- Promote visibility of UNHCR¿s work and advocate for support for the people of concern through providing inputs for social media and other web content.
- Organize missions to the field and press briefings for external parties as required.
- Implement all aspects of a communications strategy.
- Represent UNHCR on behalf of senior management in fundraising and communication priorities in inter-agency initiatives and fora.

- 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 P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism, Communications

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience in humanitarian operations in a field environment.
Excellent knowledge of local institution, politics and culture.

Desirable
Fund-raising and programming/programme management experience.
Experience of working with social media.

Functional Skills
CO-Drafting and Documentation
PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
IT-Computer Literacy
IT-Web Content Management
(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.

 

Duration: ASAP for 364 days

General Professional Experience
The desired candidate has excellent knowledge of the local media, institutions, politics and culture. Fund-raising and programming/Programme management experience. Experience working with social media. S/he is expected to have regular contact with authorities and all relevant stakeholders.

Specific Professional Experience
• At least two (2) years of direct working experience with an international agency/organisation, with practical experience from, and an understanding of, programs and processes.
• The incumbent is expected to have fund-raising and humanitarian/development reporting experience as well as experience of working with social media.
• S/he will be required to work collaboratively with relevant functional units.

Key Competencies of the Assignment
• Proficiency in English and Korean (spoken and written)
• Excellent communication skills including ability to communicate and disseminate information effectively to a broad background of stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical skills, and good research capabilities as well as drafting.
• Prior KOICA experience or exposure to UNHCR as an added asset.


===============================================================

2. Operational context

Lebanon continues to host the highest number of refugees per capita and per square kilometre in the world. The Government of Lebanon estimated that there are 1.5 million displaced Syrians living in Lebanon in addition to some 11,200 refugees of other nationalities as well as asylum seekers at the onset of increased hostilities in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah in September 2024. Refugees live across nearly all municipalities in Lebanon in both urban and rural areas, as well as in informal tented settlements. The 2023 Vulnerability Assessment for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon (VASyR) indicates that 9 out of 10 Syrian refugees continue relying on humanitarian assistance to survive.

Compounding the refugee situation are the unprecedented economic and financial crises which have hit Lebanon in preceding years, further exacerbated by the hostilities in southern Lebanon which began in October 2023, the sharp increase in hostilities in September 2024 which caused large scale displacement and affected an estimated one million people, while also causing high levels of destruction across large swathes of the country. A ceasefire has been in place since late November 2024, which continues to affect the south of the country particularly with many villages still inaccessible; while over 800,000 people internally returned to their areas of residence, great needs remain for those affected by the conflict, including the over 100,000 people still internally displaced including refugees. All these factors combined have contributed to a substantial deterioration of the socio-economic situation since 2019 and affected everyone, including refugees and Lebanese people.

Lebanon is currently amid an unprecedented combination of an economic and financial crisis, extensive unemployment, political instability, a fragile security situation and a negative rhetoric against Syrian refugees. With the fall of the regime in Syria on 8 December, Lebanon has also seen low but steady returns from Lebanon to Syria, and regionally nearly 200,000 Syrians have already returned since that date. Regional and country level strategies and planning related to returns are already underway to plan for individual support to further returns, while at the same time contingency planning for each eventuality is also a must, given the situation in Syria remains fragile at time of writing. In January 2025 a new President and Prime Minister were appointed after a long period of caretaker authorities, thus Lebanon is also entering a further period of political change.
Under the auspices of the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, UNHCR co-led the planning process to develop a new, integrated humanitarian and stabilization response framework in 2024. The new ‘Lebanon Response Plan’ (LRP) seeks to respond comprehensively to the impact of the multiple crises in Lebanon on both people and institutions in a holistic and integrated manner. In response to the upsurge in hostilities in September 2024, an inter-agency flash appeal of emergency needs was launched for three months, with a further appeal launched in January 2025 until end of March 2025 in recognition of the continuing high needs and fluid situation facing Lebanon.

Further deterioration of support services is affecting the overall living conditions across the country. The major challenge is the provision of reliable electricity supply across the country. Many of the residential buildings had installed generator-based backup systems since electricity cuts are noticeable, between 6 to 20 hours a day. The cost of reliable electricity supply can be up to USD 500 per month.
Since October 2019, the country went through liquidity problems on USD currency and many businesses and point of sales (PoS) have stopped accepting both international and national debit. Currently, PoS resumed accepting debit and credit cards whether national and/or international with some charges that varies based on the card issuing bank. Due to the prevailing banking restrictions on the USD liquidity, bringing along some USD cash upon arrival will help you to meet immediate needs, noting that the maximum to carry into Lebanon is $10,000.
UNHCR in Lebanon has over 500 staff across offices in Beirut (classified by ICSC in April 2025 as ‘C’ family duty stations), as well in Zahle, Tripoli, Qobayat,(classified as D duty stations). The current overall situation in the region is closely monitored and the applicants should be aware of overall developments in the security situation on the ground that may affect the classification of the duty stations.

The timely issuing of entry visas and residence permits has proven to be a challenge for UNHCR Lebanon, which may delay the staff member's assignment process, including their dependents. Even though personnel can visit Lebanon using the UNLP and will receive a 6-month visa upon arrival, such visas cannot be converted into residency permits to regularize the stay of international staff in Lebanon. It is imperative that staff arriving from abroad to take up an assignment in Lebanon has to secure an official visa to be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government entities (if needed). The process of obtaining approvals on official visas varies with the type of visa granted. In a normal situation, it takes between 15 and 30 working days (depending on the type of visa). As for the residency permit process for international staff members and their dependents, it can only be initiated after securing the official visa and entering Lebanon using it.

 

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

 

Korean

,

English

,

 

,

,

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Web Content Management, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Communication, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Journalism, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

 

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales