Job Description

Deadline for Applications

September 18, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

C

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

IUNV International

Target Start Date

2026-10-01

Terms of Reference

***This is a temporary job posting on Invitation only basis. No other applications will be considered***

Nine years since over 700,000 Rohingya from Myanmar fled to Bangladesh, over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees now live in Bangladesh, mostly in Cox’s Bazar, in the world’s largest refugee settlement, and some 35,000 on the island of Bhasan Char. As the humanitarian condition in camps worsens, this crisis officially became a protracted situation, facing steep decline in funds and forcing humanitarian actors to focus on the most critical and life-saving needs. In a context of strategic advocacy towards donors, civil society, media and academia, the Associate External Relations Officer (IUNV) will be part of the Dhaka-based External Relations team, which works closely other members of the team in Cox’s Bazar, and in close coordination with the Communication team in both locations. The incumbent is expected to work on and assist in various external relations activities, including preparing communication and outreach materials for external audiences, as well donor reports or funding briefs. The incumbent will plan and organize activities to increase UNHCR’s outreach capacity, engage with a range of external stakeholders and entities to present UNHCR’s work. While based in Dhaka, s/he is expected to regularly travel to Cox’s Bazar, to support and coordinate with relevant. S/he shall be a team player and able to work under pressure.

Under the direct supervision of Senior External Relations Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Keep abreast all developments in operations to prepare appropriate briefings and reports. Prepare periodic reports, i.e., donor updates, internal sitreps, briefing notes for senior managers, and activity-specific reports as required.
• Assist with preparing funding submissions for donors and draft any required after-action reports.
• Contribute to developing and maintaining working relationships with the government, NGOs, and UN agencies to ensure cooperation in inter-related activities.
• Support the UNHCR in its coordinating role by preparing and distributing minutes, assisting in the organization of meetings; occasionally chairing meetings, and serving as the general secretariat for the relevant Cluster.
• Support the senior management in preparation for meetings and missions, drafting of talking points.
• Support the team in organizing and accompanying missions for VIP visitors, delegates to visit refugee sites or the activities of UNHCR implementing partners.
• Support the Public Information (PI) team in country, contribute to press events, interviews, PI missions and other activities related to information dissemination to the general public to promote UNHCR activities.

Standard Job Description

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.

Required Languages

Desired Languages

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Web Content Management, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)

Education

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

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No