JO# 17457 – External Relations Associate – G6 – PN 10020725 - UNHCR Fixed Term Appointment - Zahle, Lebanon

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

There are currently over one million Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR in Lebanon, which makes Lebanon the highest refugee-hosting country per capita in the world. There are no approved camps in the country, and refugees are spread over 2,125 communities and locations across the country. The refugee response is led by the Government and local actors, supported by the international community.

As the designated lead agency in the refugee response, UNHCR has established a sector-based structure in Beirut and in the field. The structure brings together over 100 UN agencies, national and international NGO partners in identifying and agreeing on the strategic priorities to address the needs of Syrian refugees and other affected populations. The Lebanon national response falls under the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP), whereby UNHCR guides the refugee response and UNDP facilitates the resilience and stabilization component.

The UNHCR operational response in Lebanon is the largest for the organization. Media attention and the frequency of influential high-profile visitors is high. The Office has grown substantially in the past years and now has around 640 staff. Aside from the Branch Office in the capital city of Beirut, UNHCR has two sub offices in Zahle and Tripoli and two field offices in Mt Lebanon, Tyre, and one field unit in Qobayat under the Tripoli Sub-Office.

The External Relations Associate is supervised by the External Relations Officer or another professional staff depending on the staffing structure of the Office. The incumbent receives regular guidance and advice from the supervisor. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units at the Country Office/HQ. 

External contacts are generally with a broad range of officials from national and international institutions, media or general public involving the exchange of a wide range of information.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- UNHCR Country Office establishes and manages external relations activities in the country to protect, assist and find durable solutions for all persons of concern.

Responsibility

- Provide background briefings to local and international media. 
- Keep track of evolving issues concerning persons of concern to be able to suggest stories and topics for the media to cover.
- Provide daily briefings on local developments to the Head of Office and ensure that briefing materials from other offices are available.
- Accompany visits of foreign delegations and the media to refugee sites in the region, giving appropriate briefings, commentaries and prepare briefing material for visitors.
- Establish contacts with local organisations to promote general interest and understanding of refugee issues
- Ensure that the office is kept informed of local developments which may have a political or operational impact on the office's activities.
- Compile information and SitReps received from the Field Offices and consolidate into a weekly SitRep emanating from the Sub-Office.
- Advise the Head of Office of local aspects of external relations policies
- Perform other related duties as required.

Authority

- Liaise with external partners and local organizations on behalf of UNHCR.
- Produce reports and briefings for internal and external partners.