External Relations Officer

United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees; Dubai; On-site; AED 210,000 - 330,000; Full time

Job summary

United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees in Dubai is seeking an External Relations Officer to advance partnerships with governments, media and international organizations in support of protection and humanitarian operations.

The role involves contributing to a comprehensive communications strategy, engaging external partners, and supporting fundraising efforts under senior guidance. Collaboration with HQ and country teams is essential.

Responsibilities

• 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 in the planning of a consultative process with UNHCR colleagues (Programme Protection etc.) with external actors and partners so as to develop and implement protection and assistance strategy with clearly articulated objectives timelines and outputs.
• Assist in the implementation of a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR s operations from external partners (e.g. the general public governments partners the media academia and forcibly displaced and stateless persons).
• Assist in the articulation of all issues pertaining to the needs of the forcibly displaced and stateless persons and the strategies in place to respond to their needs.
• Inform the UNHCR Country Team on the UNHCR priorities so as to ensure that they are given adequate weight in the publications and documentation of the UN Country Team.
• Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide accurate information by organizing regular briefings bilateral meetings and missions. Prepare reports as appropriate.
• In accordance with the operational context and in close cooperation with headquarters propose new and non-traditional funding sources as appropriate including private sector and humanitarian pooled/basket funds (e.g. Central Emergency Response Fund Human Security Fund).
• Through a consultative process with headquarters disseminate information on UNHCRs global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement special projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for forcibly displaced and stateless persons in the country operation.
• Participate on behalf of the Representative

Job description

Deadline for Applications

March 9 2026

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Grade

PR3

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Standard Job Description

External Relations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

Direct supervision is normally exercised by a Senior External Relations Officer of Representative who provides guidance on the applicable procedures. Advice may also be provided by relevant functional units at HQ. The incumbent may supervise some support staff. External contacts are predominantly with Partners media government embassies and other international organizations 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 addition staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core functional cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRs 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 in the planning of a consultative process with UNHCR colleagues (Programme Protection etc.) with external actors and partners so as to develop and implement protection and assistance strategy with clearly articulated objectives timelines and outputs.
• Assist in the implementation of a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR s operations from external partners (e.g. the general public governments partners the media academia and forcibly displaced and stateless persons).
• Assist in the articulation of all issues pertaining to the needs of the forcibly displaced and stateless persons and the strategies in place to respond to their needs.
• Inform the UNHCR Country Team on the UNHCR priorities so as to ensure that they are given adequate weight in the publications and documentation of the UN Country Team.
• Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide accurate information by organizing regular briefings bilateral meetings and missions. Prepare reports as appropriate.
• In accordance with the operational context and in close cooperation with headquarters propose new and non-traditional funding sources as appropriate including private sector and humanitarian pooled/basket funds (e.g. Central Emergency Response Fund Human Security Fund).
• Through a consultative process with headquarters disseminate information on UNHCRs global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement special projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for forcibly displaced and stateless persons in the country operation.
• Participate on behalf of the Representative