Senior External Relations Associate

United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international humanitarian organization in Dubai seeks a Senior External Relations Associate to enhance public understanding of refugee issues and mobilize financial support. The ideal candidate has a bachelor's degree in political or social sciences and at least two years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include supporting media relations, monitoring asylum issues, and organizing donor dialogue. Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Qualifications

• 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma or 2 years relevant experience with Bachelor's degree.
• Knowledge of English and the UN working language; Arabic is a plus.
• Proven experience in communications or donor relations.

Responsibilities

• Support media relations and advocacy work.
• Monitor issues related to asylum seekers and refugees.
• Provide background briefings to media.

Skills

Communication Skills

Resource Mobilisation

Analytical Skills

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Political or Social Sciences

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Standard Job Description

Senior External Relations Associate The Senior External Relations Associate is a key external point of contact for the UNHCR office with media and other external organisations. The incumbent will be responsible for creating greater public awareness and understanding of refugee issues and the work of UNHCR and for amplifying the voice of refugees and other people of concern (PoC). The overall aim is to mobilise further financial support, increase awareness and empathy for forcibly displaced people.

Duties

• Support UNHCRs media relations and advocacy work in the geographic and thematic area.
• Monitor evolving issues concerning asylum seekers, stateless persons and refugees within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) and suggest stories and topics for media coverage.
• Provide background briefings to local and international media.
• Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide accurate information by organising regular briefings, bilateral meetings and missions.
• Manage budget when requested including tracking expenditures and incoming donations. Ensure payments through UNHCR and prepare budget documents for partners and reports on spending.
• Assist in drafting situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
• Organise press briefings for external parties as required.
• Reach out proactively to a broad range of external actors including social media influencers, goodwill ambassadors and the private sector to build new alliances within the AoR.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Years of Experience: For G7 – 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
• Education: Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism, Communication (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk are essential).
• Functional Skills: MS-Advocacy, CO-Journalism (incl. print broadcast photography video), CO-Multimedia storytelling, ER-External Relations in UNHCR or other humanitarian agencies, EX-Experience in an international decentralized and/or multinational environment, MG-Project Management, FR-Marketing, MG-Partnership Development (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk are essential).
• Language Requirements: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English; for national professional jobs additional local language may be required.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Proven experience with a UN Agency or in an international or multinational environment particularly in areas such as communications, donor relations, project and partnership management.
• Knowledge of the UAE’s operational context, government entities, partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• Experience in resource mobilisation and donor coordination including drafting proposals, progress reports and briefing documents in both English and Arabic.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in highlighting media articles and providing timely insightful briefings on local developments.
• Computer and IT skills (Microsoft 365). Proficiency in English and Arabic is a mandatory requirement both verbal and written.
• Shortlisted candidates will be required to sit for a written test and interview.

Additional Information

This position does not require a functional clearance.