Senior External Relations Associate

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An international humanitarian organization in the UAE seeks a Senior External Relations Associate to enhance public awareness of refugee issues and support communications with media and stakeholders. The role requires proficiency in English and Arabic, proven experience with UN agencies, and strong analytical skills. Responsibilities include media advocacy, preparing reports, and facilitating donor interactions. Applicants should have relevant experience and a background in fields such as Journalism or International Relations.

Qualifications

• 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma, or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent.
• Experience with event management is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work against tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support UNHCR's media relations and advocacy work.
• Monitor issues concerning asylum seekers and refugees.
• Provide background briefings to local media.
• Assist in drafting situation reports and press releases.

Skills

Proven experience with a UN Agency

Knowledge of the UAE's operational context

Experience in resource mobilization

Strong analytical skills

Proficiency in English and Arabic

Education

Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism, Communication

Job description

Deadline for Applications

January 17, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA7

Target Start Date

2026-02-02

Terms of Reference

The Affiliates position under UNOPS Agreement is open to Emirati nationals and candidates with valid residency in the UAE, subject to the following qualifications:

• 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, etc. Preferably within the UAE or across the GCC.
• Knowledge of the UAE’s operational context, government entities, partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Experience in resource mobilization and donor coordination, including drafting proposals, progress reports, and briefing documents in both English and Arabic.
• Experience in communication, coordination, and liaison with external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate strong analytical skills with experience in highlighting media articles and relevant local developments and providing timely, insightful briefings on such.
• Ability to adapt to evolving responsibilities and perform additional duties as required.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic is a requirement, both verbal and written.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a written test and a competency-based interview.

Standard Job Description

Senior External Relations Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior External Relations Associate is to be 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 (Donors, NGOs, Government, Refugees, Civil Society, etc.) awareness and understanding of refugee issues and the work of UNHCR and for amplifying the voice of refugees and other people of concern (PoC). S/he will have a pivotal role in drafting reports, updates, briefing documents, maintenance of the UNHCR local web site and social media channels and providing support to the supervisor.

The Senior External Relations Associate supports activities, events, campaigns and outreach, working with partner organisations to support the protection of PoC. Essential to these efforts are coherent and consistent visual and verbal messaging and linking the substantive media elements (news) to milestone events (World Refugee Day, Nansen Refugee Award, #IBelong Campaign to end Statelessness, HCs Dialogues, and the launch of one-off campaigns and events.) The overall aim is to mobilise further financial support, increase awareness and empathy for forcibly displaced people.

The incumbent normally reports to a Representative, Head of Office/Section or a Senior Communication or External Relations Officer, depending on the office setup.

Responsibilities

• Support UNHCR's 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 support to Senior Management in dealing with the challenges posed by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments.
• Ensure that the office is kept informed of local developments which may have a political or operational impact on its activities.
• Provide background briefings to local and international media.
• Accompany visits of foreign delegations and the media to refugee sites, give appropriate briefings, commentaries and prepare briefing material for visitors.
• Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide accurate information by organising regular briefings, bilateral meetings and missions.
• Assist Senior Management in disseminating information on UNHCR's global funding situation and mobilise additional funds to implement special projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for PoC.
• 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 the drafting of situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
• Assist in planning and organising advertisements, exhibitions, training seminars, conferences, meetings, social events, campaigns and other activities to promote a better understanding of UNHCR's activities and accomplishments by the general public and/or organised groups.
• 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 in order to promote the protection of PoC.
• Manage preparation of contracts for artists, production companies, journalists, photographers etc.
• 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

• Years of Experience / Degree Level: For G7 – 4 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 Licences: Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism, Communication.
• Relevant Job Experience – Essential: Not specified. Desirable: Experience with event management. Demonstrated ability to work against tight deadlines.
• Functional Skills: MS‑Advocacy, CO‑Journalism (print, broadcast, photography, video), CO‑Multimedia storytelling, ER‑External Relations in UNHCR or other humanitarian agencies, EX‑Experience in an international, decentralised and/or multinational environment, MG‑Project Management, FR‑Marketing, MG‑Partnership Development.
• 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.

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance.

Remote

No