JO# 28351 – External Relations Associate – G6 – PN 10029605 – UNHCR Fixed-Term Appointment - Mount Lebanon

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Ten years into the Syria crisis, Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with nearly 855,172 Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR, about 20,000 refugees of other origins.

The refugee response is led by the Government, UNHCR and UNDP, 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 150 UN agencies, national and international NGO partners [over 150 actors, including UN agencies, national and international NGOs and Ministries] in identifying and agreeing on the strategic priorities to address the needs of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese communities. The Lebanon Chapter of the Response Plan 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 one of 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 is currently operating with around 650 staff. Aside from the country office in the capital city of Beirut, UNHCR has offices in Mount Lebanon, Qobayat, Tripoli, Tyre and Zahle.

The External Relations Associate will be based at the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Sub-Office and will be supervised by the Assistant Liaison Officer. The incumbent will take part in developing key messages for the media in consultation with the public information team in the country office, conduct media interviews on behalf of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Sub-Office. The incumbent will also develop content for PI and engage strategically with media in support of country wide messaging of UNHCR and in raising awareness on the plight of refugees and the scope of UNHCR programmes in country. In addition, the incumbent will actively conduct media monitoring, analyse public information and keep the office apprised on the latest news in an effective and timely manner.

Additionally, the External Relations Associate will help in the planning and facilitation of donors relations including drafting and updating briefing kits, developing mission programme, planning mission logistics, monitoring donors and UNHCR visibility, working with partners for the identifying of persons and places to visit, working closely with functional units at the sub-office to develop visibility material for projects and programmes and facilitating meeting and interpretation whenever needed.

The candidate for this position should be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, ability to take initiative, ability to develop content for both media and donor briefs, political awareness, organisational skills, and ability to communicate and develop messages targeting various stakeholders and ability to work and produce quality content under pressure and to coordinate with others in an efficient and effective way. The candidate must have excellent drafting skills in both English and Arabic. Knowledge of media content software is a plus.

The candidate is also required to have experience working with media and donors in close collaboration with a multifunctional and multicultural team.

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 frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- 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.
- May be required to compile information and SitReps received from the Field Offices and/or sections within the Office and consolidate into weekly/monthly/quarterly report.
- Advise the Head of Office of local aspects of external relations policies.
- Liaise with external partners and local organizations on behalf of UNHCR.
- Produce reports and briefings for internal and external partners.
- Perform other related duties as required.