Job Description

Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.

June 12, 2026

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

PR2

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Associate External Relations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Direct supervision is normally exercised by a (Snr) External Relations Officer or Representative who provides guidance on the applicable procedures. Advice may also be provided by relevant functional units at HQ. External contacts are with a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including inter alia, government, media, embassies, donors, UN agencies, NGOs and other national and international organizations, as well as general public on matters of importance to the Organization.

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
- Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments in the area of forced displacement and humanitarian operations.
- Assist the implementation of a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR's operations from external partners (e.g. the general public, governments, partners, media, academia, NGOs, private sector and forcibly displaced and stateless persons).
- Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide relevant information on UNHCR operations and financial requirements by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and missions and responding to donors¿ requests for information on ad hoc basis.
- Through a consultative process with headquarters, disseminate information on UNHCR's global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement programmes and projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for forcibly displaced and stateless persons in the country operation.
- Assist in the coordination of the drafting of, situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
- Draft narrative and financial reports on contributions in compliance with specific donor requirements.
- Monitor earmarking level of funding for UNHCR Country operation and ensure appropriate visibility for donor contributions in compliance with UNHCR guidelines and specific donor requirements.
- Participate on behalf of the Representative and other supervisors in inter-agency cooperation and communication strategies, initiatives and tools.
- Assist in the management of information flows within the country operations by identifying priority matters, securing, analyzing and disseminating documentation and information to support country operations and corporate communication processes and priorities.
- Consolidate information on UNHCR's country operations and identify appropriate messages for campaigns and appeals.
- Propose events and initiatives (e.g. commercial, cultural, political and sports) to promote the work of UNHCR and take action as appropriate.
- Support the management of media relations by, inter alia, responding to direct queries, publishing press releases, handling interview requests and organizing regular briefings and visits to country operations.
- Promote visibility of UNHCR's work and advocate for support for the forcibly displaced and stateless persons through providing inputs for social media and other web content.
- Organize missions to the field and press briefings for external parties as required.
- Implement all aspects of a communications strategy.
- Represent UNHCR on behalf of senior management in fundraising and communication priorities in inter-agency initiatives and fora.

- 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
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism, Communications

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience in humanitarian operations in a field environment.
Excellent knowledge of local institution, politics and culture.

Desirable
Fund-raising and programming/programme management experience.
Experience of working with social media.

Functional Skills
CO-Drafting and Documentation
PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
IT-Computer Literacy
IT-Web Content Management
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

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.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Essential attributes:
1. Proven professional experience in external relations or donor relations in large and complex UNHCR operations.
2. Solid understanding of International Protection and the ability to manage and coordinate within complex partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders.
3. Demonstrate excellent coordination, negotiation, and communication skills, alone with a pro-active attitude.
4. Excellent drafting and written communication skills are essential, including the ability to produce clear, concise, and well-structured reports, donor communications, briefing notes, and official correspondence tailored to different audiences and compliant with audiences and compliant with organizational standards.
5. Strong understanding of UNHCR Programming, combined with experience working with development donors.

Desirable attributes:
1. Experience and knowledge of working in high-risk/hardship duty station and an emergency setting are desirable.
2. The ability to work effectively under stressful conditions and effectively coordinate with diverse stakeholders

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position

UNHCR Somalia operates in a complex and high-profile humanitarian environment, with offices in Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Bossaso, Dollow, and a support presence in Nairobi. The operation addresses protracted displacement, returnee reintegration, and ongoing humanitarian needs driven by insecurity, climate shocks, and socio-economic challenges, while maintaining close engagement with government authorities, donors, and partners.

Based in Mogadishu, the Associate External Relations Officer supports the Deputy Representative in managing external communications, media relations, and strategic messaging. The role focuses on enhancing UNHCR’s visibility, strengthening advocacy, and ensuring consistent and accurate communication of its impact.

The incumbent coordinates with internal teams across locations and engages with external stakeholders, including government entities, UN agencies, donors, partners, and media, contributing to effective information sharing, public awareness, and resource mobilization in a sensitive and fast-evolving context.

Additionally, the Associate External Relations Officer supervises national staff within the External Relations Unit, ensuring high-quality reporting, donor communications, and liaison functions.

Living and Working Conditions

The UNHCR Somalia operation is complex in nature. Given the complexity of the crisis, the capability of UNHCR to provide assistance to the people in need in different areas of Somalia according to its mandate lies in its ability to adjust its response taking into account the different local realities which vary from one area to the other.

Mogadishu is Non-Family E- duty station with highly stressful work context where capacity for self-care is critical. Mogadishu has a relatively dry climate and it is classified as hot and semi-arid.

UNHCR maintains its own compound inside the Mogadishu International Airport ATMIS Protected Area. The Compound consists of the Office Space and accommodation; both are made of prefab containers with overhead and side protection to mitigate the risk in indirect fire. Due to security restrictions UNHCR International staff in Mogadishu reside at the UNHCR compound. International Staff are restricted to live within AAIA. The accommodations have self-contained rooms. There is a canteen available at the compound serving meals three time a day at you own cost. More restaurants and dining facilities are available at the UNSOS and other UNDSS approved compounds across the AAIA ATMIS protected area. Movement within AAIA protected area is possible on foot and by car, curfews apply for night movement. There is a Gym available at the UNHCR compound. Other leisure and recreational facilities are very limited. Overnight stay in all other field locations is in UN approved guest houses apart from Hargeisa which is approved UNDSS hotel. Travel to the field locations is mainly through regular UN flights. No local banking facilities; but there is an ATM Machine where staff can withdraw USD using Visa / Master credit/debit cards. There are two Level I Hospitals within AAIA for basic and emergency health services. UN security structures in Somalia are robust and generally effective in managing risk. UNHCR 's posture is appropriate in its major offices, including three FSAs posts, but less assured in outlying areas where field or satellite offices are envisioned to be established.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Communication, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Journalism, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Innovation & creativity, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance