UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR)

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Vacancy Notice No. VA/DA/FTA/04/2019

Title of Post

Senior External Relations Assistant

Category/grade

General Service, G5

Post Number

10020915

Type of contract

Fixed-term appointment

Location

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Date of Issue

13 June 2019

Effective date of assignment

As soon as possible

Closing Date

26 June 2019

Operational Context:

The Senior External Relations Assistant functions under the direct supervision of External Relations Officer or another professional staff. The incumbent assists planning, preparation and implementation of external relations and public information flow and supports the office to conduct advocacy programs, establish supporter groups, and organize meetings, missions and events. The incumbent also assists drafting reports/materials for external partners, translation of materials from English to Bangla, preparation of social media posts

Functional Statement: 

Accountability

  • Missions from donors, the press and media are supported with field visits and accurate briefing materials
  • External partners are informed regularly on all aspects and the status of UNHCR operations. 

Responsibility

  • Draft briefing notes, press releases, bulletins, reports, newsletters and prepare any other public information material, as required
  • Facilitate and accompany visits of foreign delegations, partner NGOs, donors and the media to refugee camps
  • Draft and translate routine correspondence and texts.
  • Assist with developing and implementing UNHCR’s social media strategy – conceptualize and pitch stories for UNHCR’s global website
  • Ensure that public information materials including fact sheets, information brochures, briefing materials from the Branch Office, etc. are available.
  • Organize visibility events (e.g. World Refugee Day) and liaise with partners, refugees and local communities on implementation.
  • May be required to assist in compilation of weekly, monthly, annual/quarterly thematic reports, situations reports etc.
  • Review media daily and ensure the office is kept informed of local developments.
  • Perform other related duties, as required.

Authority

  • Provide information on UNHCR’s activities to external partners.
  • Respond to non-complex media queries and incoming correspondence.

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

  • Completion of the Secondary Education with post-secondary certificate/training in International Relations, Journalism, Political Science, Communication, Media or related field.
  • Minimum 5 years of previous relevant job experience.
  • Communication and computer skills.
  • Excellent drafting skills as well as translation and interpreting skills.
  • Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language.

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

  • Previous experience in UN/UNHCR.
  • Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.
  • Knowledge of another relevant UN language.

Required Competencies:

Cross-Functional Competencies

  • Technological Awareness
  • Political Awareness

Eligibility:

Internal candidates: Interested staff members should consult the Policy and Procedures on Assignments of Locally recruited Staff (IOM/49-FOM/50/2012 dated 15 June 2012). If you have questions regarding your eligibility, you may also contact the HR Unit.
An applicant who has internal status is a staff member holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment in any duty station in the country. Former UNHCR General Service staff members, having held an indefinite or fixed-term appointment for an uninterrupted period of at least one year may apply for internally advertised vacancies at their previous grade or equivalent or one grade above, if the seniority requirements are met, for a period of two years following separation (if such criteria are not met, former staff members can still apply as external candidates).

External candidates: External candidates must meet the essential minimum requirements of the position and candidates not citizens of the country must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country. Completed and relevant university education can count as maximum 50% of the required years of work experience.

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

Submission of Applications:

Interested candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit their applications with fully complete and signed Personal History Form and Supplementary Pages via online: UNHCR Bangladesh Job Portal www.unhcr.io/jobs.

Personal History Form not submitted in UNHCR format as well as not signed, incomplete and late applications will not 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 behaviour and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicious about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO)

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